Enough is Enough

Modern society boasts great advances in many fields, particularly in medicine, information technology, modes of travel, and infrastructure. Indeed, many amazing discoveries and inventions have been made in the last two centuries. We have supermarkets offering not only local but international products, restaurants offering varieties of cuisines, luxurious cars, opulent villas, monstrous TVs, smartphones and other gadgets, and more money (Gilbert, 2013). 

But are we humans happier? Are we happy with ourselves and with each other? Wars and conflicts, hatreds and fears, and rising numbers of people becoming anxious, depressed, and suicidal tells us that we struggle to experience happiness and peace. Why is that? 

One big reason is that we have not learned to say enough is enough. We have become willing slaves to money and competition (Bunting, 2004). Oliver James (2007) suggests that we are suffering from “affluenza — an addiction to affluence and a need ‘for more and more.’” 

We have lost the capacity to say no to what is extra or we never developed this capacity. Our society, and unfortunately our parents, too, might have brainwashed us to achieve more, to earn more, and to have more. Added to these influences, the marketing industry spends billions every year to ensure that we are not content and to make us feel we need more and more (Gilbert, 2013). Hardly anyone says this is enough, we do not need more and more. We live in a world that is driven by the philosophy of more and more.

Understandably, it can be hard to say no to the philosophy of more but it is not impossible. Our own experiences of frustration and lack of contentment despite having more should be our teacher. If we want to experience contentment, we need to get out of the mad race of having or doing more and start appreciating and enjoying what we already have. 

It is high time we say, enough is enough! 

Notes

Bunting, M. (2004). Willing slaves: How the overwork culture is ruling our lives. Harper Collins. 

Gilbert, P. (2013). The Compassionate mind. Robinson. 

James, O. (2007). Affluenza. Vermilion.