I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the words “You are enough.” Whether it was said by friends, healers, or someone giving an inspirational speech, I have been aware of this concept for years. I even wrote it on a post-it note that stares at me encouragingly every time I sit at my desk. It made me feel better initially- until it didn’t. It’s a strange phenomenon when we get so used to seeing things that we begin to overlook them as if they weren’t there at all. The bigger problem though, is that I never really bought into the notion that I was in fact, enough- it just sounded uplifting. Surely people who are more evolved than I; people who really have their shit together, could relate to being enough. Maybe I’d get there one day, but I wasn’t holding my breath.
Then I remembered something that happened almost a year ago. I was laying on the table getting a massage from Jen- someone whom I also consider to be a close friend. I vividly recall agonizing over the fact that my book would be published soon (or so I thought), and I hadn’t figured out my next step. I was under the impression that my readers would want to know what became of the author since completing my memoir. After all, I had said I was studying to be a life coach, which was true at the time. If I didn’t have my own business, if I wasn’t doing something bold and exciting with my life, there would be no success story. “I can’t be in limbo. I can’t be flailing, wondering what my next move is. I have to figure this out. The only way this works is if I have a burgeoning profession,” I shrieked in hysterics. Jen remained calm and supportive, while doling out the necessary pain to ease my ever increasing tension.
Then, a couple days ago, I had one of the most profound revelations of my life; if I’m already enough, just as I am, then my mere existence is the success story, and the narrative I was subscribing to back on Jen’s table was me missing the entire point! I’m still breathing, and I’m still here, doing my best. I have a wonderful support system, with a roof over my head and food in my belly. On top of all that, I wrote a friggin’ book!
Why does the benchmark for sufficient achievements only count if it’s seemingly unattainable? Why does the key to success and happiness have to consist of some complex formula that we may never understand? Perhaps because we are told over and over that success requires lots of hard work, and then more hard work, for good measure. Nothing worthwhile is easy has been instilled in us ad nauseam. But believing you are enough doesn’t mean that you choose to settle for a life of mediocrity, nor does it entail ceasing to better oneself. The reason this mindset is so transformative is because before we can attain the life we desire, first we must believe we deserve it- that we are worthy of it. How many of us beat our heads against a wall by skipping this step?!
My current epiphany reminds me of another saying: The answers are already inside of you. I believe this to be true- it certainly was in this case. So don’t hesitate to reread that book, or article. Rewatch that documentary. Reconnect with that old friend who gives amazing advice. Maybe give that mantra a second glance. Odds are, the breakthrough you are seeking will be something that was there all along;)