I have enough is a choice

​It's easy for us to believe that more is better or better is better or new is better or different is better. It's easy to believe that, because we have a commercial system built on selling us that belief.

I stopped at a gas station on the way home from traveling the other day. I was thirsty. I wanted a bottle of water.

Bottled water. I stood their staring at the dozens of choices I had for water in the cooler. The water I drank out of a faucet as a kid, often out of cupped hands collecting it as it poured out because I was too lazy to grab a glass.

I mean, the water did wash my hands prior to it going into my mouth, right?

But there I was. There was a $1 bottle. And a $2 dollar bottle. Even a $3 bottle of water. The more expensive bottles had more and larger letters on them explaining why that water was better than the other waters.

And it worked. I bought the big bottle that was pH balanced and had electrolytes for taste.... and very pretty lettering.

As I sat in my car, opening my bottle of water, I caught the image of a garden hose out of the corner of my eye. I guess it was there for folks who needed water for their cars? I used to drink a lot of water our of garden hoses.

Until someone convinced me bottled water was better for me.

Many of us are easy sales targets. We're easy to convince the products we're using aren't good enough because too many of us believe WE aren't good enough.

If I drink fancy water, maybe I'll feel like a fancier human.

Until 20 miles down the road. The bottled water is gone and the feelings of inadequacy remain.

Maybe it's my deodorant; I knew I shouldn't have bought the cheap stuff. Or maybe my car; it's too small. Or my job, I really need to check those job openings. Or social media posts - I haven't posted enough happy and successful stories and photos lately.

Seth Godin says, "if you decide you have enough, then you do." Godin goes on to say, "And with that choice comes a remarkable sort of freedom. The freedom to be still, to become aware and to stop hiding from the living that’s yet to be done."

I do believe that is what chasing better and more often is - it is often hiding. It is often hiding from the life I have in order to chase a life I've convinced myself will make me feel better.

Or maybe one that big bottles with big letters has convinced me will make me feel better.

Many times, choosing I have enough is choosing to believe I AM enough. Sometimes resisting an upgrade is resisting the idea that I the person needs to be upgraded.

Sometimes, when we take a timeout from the chase, we discover there's an awful lot of good in us that requires no chase.

It simply requires a timeout.