Sufficient

When my brother-in-law dines with his Grandmother they are required to use proper table manners. One of the rules they follow is using the phrase "I have had sufficient" in place of the more common "I'm full." Our table manners are not quite so refined, but I agree that "I have had sufficient" is a far more useful phrase. It teaches children that they don't have to be "full" to have had enough. And these same sentiments can stretch to include all aspects of consumption. After having a couple of financially difficult years I am ultra-sensitive to the over abundance our society craves. For most of us it is an impossible and often unhealthy standard. We need to teach our children to recognize when they have had "sufficient". I am all for trying to make my kids happy by providing them with the things they really want, but I hope I am teaching them to moderate their desires. Every time I go to the store I ask myself: 1) do we need this? And if it's something I simply want and don't really need I ask: 2) is there something I want more. This process ensures that we have the things we need and truly want. Growing up I learned that "the chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading the things we want MOST for the things we want in the MOMENT." My goal is to recognize both what I want most, and when I have had sufficient.