The Power of Enough
Each new year is an invitation for me to ponder a word or two that I desire to keep front and center. I was listening to a podcast not too long ago where the speaker expressed something to the effect of, “I am no longer striving for perfection as it will keep me imprisoned in an internal loop. Rather, I’m moving into repeating to myself, good enough.”
Good enough does not feel like settling to me, yet it invites my discernment to decide what I am capable of. Whereas always striving for excellence which mind you is certainly to be commended, yet how many of us ever attain it? Once we do, most likely all we might have to show for it is high blood pressure with an additional need for the help of a sleep aid.
I understand how one’s spectrum for these two words may be vast. This is what is so attractive about it. Making it within reach as we get to negotiate and discover what we are truly capable of.
As a classroom teacher for many years, I witnessed some of my students become frustrated and unsure of how to even begin a project. Once we identified and dialogued, I became aware that often they had placed too lofty of a goal upon themselves or had it imposed by another. This is where good enough feels revolutionary.
By experiencing the expansiveness of allowing my students to determine when they had produced their best, it always was good enough. Generally met with surprise because without the pressure of striving and perfection, this is where their creativity soared.
“Between the stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space lies our freedom and power to choose our responses. In our responses lives our growth and our freedom.” Viktor E. Frankl
Nestled within this space which Frankl, speaks of resides good enough and it is where I plan to reside. Peeking out of as my inner landscape aids me in navigating my outer world. As a recovering perfectionist and striver, I’m curious. The one who may offer the loudest push back from time to time is my inner critic.
I’ll be ready to greet her.
Wendell Berry, commented on a piece of work by a student, “This is just good enough that I wish it were better.”
Living within the paradox where two truths often exist side by side.
A choice, not a directive. May we dwell within this?
Yes, I believe so.
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Within this season of good enough, I am gifting myself with abundant wiggle room and grace to post here as I'm able. It is vital to me to offer content that moves me, and hopefully my readers too. All is well, I savored my weeks off, and am settling into a gorgeous fall season in Oregon.
This landed squarely for me as I ponder how to begin something new…how to conserve enough energy for my own pursuits instead of draining myself in a mighty attempt (and failure) to do everything perfectly for others. Good enough is still good, isn’t it?
Ooo, isn’t taking our own advice sometimes the hardest of all! I’m glad you’re doing it though Joanie and posting when the time is right for you. I always enjoy your posts and am glad when you pop into my inbox.
Your observations are very on point for me at the moment. One of the themes in my memoir is of being the ‘good enough’ parent. But of course, accepting that ‘good enough’ may be all we’re granted to be in the circumstances we find ourselves is a great act of compassion for anyone walking through their own set of challenges.
I love Wendell Berry’s comment though. Acknowledging that the bar has been met but perhaps creating the self-belief that…
Another perfectionist in recovery here! Stepping away from achievement culture has taken inner work, but wow what peace it brings. It’s an ongoing process. Beautifully articulated, Joanie xx