Shelter in the Fields: author’s image captured 29 April just outside Wahl, Luxembourg
Have you ever questioned yourself? Doubted yourself? Wondered if you were clever enough, brave enough, generous enough and all the other ‘enoughs’ out there? If you haven’t then just swipe across to something else that maybe enough or more. But if you have two minutes to read the following, please continue. I hope it speaks to you.
I work with young people, younger than I, and I am struck by how little understanding they have about this word ‘enough’. I include myself because, like many others out there, I too am not exempt from self-doubt.
We have come to the end of the month and the changes around us show themselves, everywhere. As the seasons change so do we, as humans, change alongside the natural world and its inestimable beauty. However, this month of April has been one in which my own strength has come under the stress-test and I have been reminded, every time I open up my lap top or social media accounts, that there is a world out there that is worse off than my small world in here, inside myself.
We are exhorted to try harder, be bolder, work longer. We are reminded to reach out to family and friends, fundraise and be philanthropic, consume less and save more, join the cause, re-send and spread the word, create, build, take down and demolish. Yet when will we, you and I, be enough?
When I am feeling overwhelmed and unable to retrieve my smile, I remember the wise words of my mother who no longer lives and breathes in this worrisome world. This was the scene: December 1987.
My daughter was almost two years old and thankfully cannot remember. I was beating myself up as the bad mother because I didn’t have anything I could offer her for supper. My pantry was seemingly empty except for three items. My mother asked if I had bread. Yes, I had bread. Did I have margarine or butter? Yes, I had margarine. Did I have jam? Yes, I had jam. She then said; that is enough, Patricia, that is more than enough. I cut the bread, spread the margarine, then jam, cut it up into small triangles and made a fan out of a small serviette and presented it to my daughter who giggled, smiled and gobbled it up.
Sometimes we just need a reminder that we too are enough.
Patricia Angoy 
Pat this is so simple, and so timely. I am battling with how to just BE in this world without becoming consumed by its ceaseless demands to be always DOING something. I’m listening to a book by Dougald Hine (and will read it when I get my copy from abroad in a couple of weeks) called At Work in the Ruins and he talks about surrender and giving up as a mighty response to the brokenness and destruction of modernity. I need to read it not just hear it in order to make more sense of it, but your piece captures very simply the essence, I think, of change – to just be enough. Thanks for this one – I enjoyed it on a slightly chilly but sunny Joburg morning
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Such thoughtful responses Ashley. Thank you so much. I too will check out your reference to Dougald Hine. An embrace for you and family. Same here, chilly but sunny – our seasons are changing differently. Thank you!
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Patricia, thank you so much for reminding us that we are, for the most part, doing our best I this ever demanding and not always kind world.
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Thank you for reading the blog. You are so right Michaela. Thank you also for making that positive impact in the lives of others and mine!
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I sent a friend your blog and it was just what she needed to read. She really enjoyed it! Keep them coming.
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The magic of simplicity. Thank you so much for this precious reminder and these wonderful words.
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Thank you for your kind words Paulie.
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Thank you for sharing such an inspiring message. I really needed this encouragement. I’m going to visit my daughter in Pretoria this weekend because she is going through some things.. I have been feeling hopeless because all I can offer her is a weekend together. But after reading this😊😊😊I just realised that that’s enough. Thank you.
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Dearest Bonisile, you are definitely enough. Accompanying your daughter, being a mother and just being there is enough. She will remember your visit and know that although feelings of hopelessness abound, you are there bringing hope and love.
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Patty, what a thoughtful piece. I am reminded that we are human beings and not human doings. When I stop to just ‘be’, I am enough. I am reminded of the words of my mentor – All the skills, qualities and experiences that have brought me to this moment have supported me to become the human I am today. I am not broken , there is nothing about me to be fixed.
And, I am also a work in progress. There is much I do not know, have not experienced that could be immensely useful in supporting me to become more conscious, courageous and compassionate in all arenas of my life. I am at choice about which ones to take into my life. So, I am enough as I am and I am a work in progress.
Thank you for bringing these thoughts forward.
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Wow! There is so much in what you have written for me to think through and take in. Thank you for sharing such deep and personal reflections. I am blessed by your words.
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Always so thought provoking in your wisdom. You are always enough Patricia 🌼
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Dear Roxanne, thank you! I have gained so much from you over the last 14+ years and always felt that you give more than enough.
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Patricia as already said above. Your wise words are always so to the point, deep and so ever true. How I feel but could not put the exact words on. Just what I needed to read – yes I think we are at enough. Being in the smaller or bigger picture. Lets embrace life that is close and far and settle with enough.
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Hello Henriette, so glad that this blog post resonates with you and others. Yes, let’s embrace life! I could not agree more.
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Es cierto, uno tiende a ser muy autoexigente y a pensar que puede hacer más por los demás o que la vida se va y no ha hecho lo suficiente, que faltan tantas cosas por hacer, pero que no alcanza el tiempo. Hoy quiero recuperar tiempo perdido y mi espacio, volver a gozar de las cosas simples y de los pequeños detalles, también recuperar mi alegría y el placer de vivir.
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Me alegro muchísimo Marcela. Es tan importante gozar de la vida hoy. Me recuerda siempre como nos lanzamos a GoceArte con tanto entusiasmo, nunca pensando que no éramos suficientes. Tienes mucho alegría y gozo. Gracias por leerlo.
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GoceArte uno de los tiempos de mayor alegría, goce y satisfacción.
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así era amiga
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Dear Patty, thank you so much for making me stop, think and feel. Such a simple beautifully written message and yet so powerful in this demanding world. ❤️
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I needed to read this today. Thank you for the gentle reminder that we are enough.
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what a vulnerable and heartfelt reflection. I like the way everything changed—from seemingly nothing [not enough] to too [enough]. What we are normally asked of, and what defines love in concurrence with satisfaction. Thank you very much for this Patricia. I would love to read a compilation of book exploring this. please do consider writing a book!
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thank you for reading this piece and for noticing the satisfaction, rather than the exuberance of love. Your insight and gentle encouragement are much appreciated Francisco.
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