Everything I Need

The Christmas my youngest had just turned four, his only “wish list” item was a set of “shooter guns”.  Having watched a cartoon about cowboy cows (who else lived through Moo Mesa?) , he was fascinated by the holster and gun set that was worn on the hips.  That was it.  That’s what he wanted.  That was ALL he wanted.  “Shooter guns.”

Family Christmas with the in-laws was always held the weekend before Christmas.  It was a rather raucous gathering of people, with six grandsons relatively close in age. 

As family Christmases tend to do, the focal point was the kids.  Gift after gift was opened.  Squeal after squeal, thank you after thank you. 

When my youngest’s turn arrived, he opened a gift from his uncle.  And there it was…a set of “shooter guns” in an adjustable plastic holster.  About as hokey as you can get.  His eyes glistened with the magic of a child who’s wildest dream had come true!

This was early on in the gift exchange, but as his turn circled around again and again, he refused to open any additional gifts.  In his mind they were superfluous.  Each time another gift came his way, he held up his precious four- year-old hand in the “stop” sign and politely yet firmly said,  “No, thank you. I have everything I need. ”   

He did.  His life was complete.  There is no point in more when you already have what you dreamed of.  We took the unopened gifts home with us, and everyone understood.

Wow. 

Wow. 

To this day, it remains the most genuine expressions of gratitude and contentment I’ve ever seen. 

 This is my husband’s favorite story about our son.  We say it all the time…

“Can I get you anything while I’m up?”

“No, thank you. I have everything I need.”

  “Need anything from the Target?”

  “No, thank you. I have everything I need.”

No, thank you. I have everything I need. 

In a society where more, more, more is the theme, where advertising is constantly telling us we are lacking because we don’t have this, that or the other, where social media tells us everyone else’s life is better, bigger, bolder we are often left with a swirling feeling of NEEDING more.

How often are we like that?  We ask for or seek something, it arrives, and we rush on to the next thing. 

Time, energy, health, money, love.

More, more, more. Faster, bigger, better. Prettier, shinier, flashier. More, more, more.

What if, just for a moment, we could sit back, put our hand gracefully in a stop sign and say, “No, thank you. I have everything I need.” 

What if we could stop craving “new” into our lives, and settle into the beauty of what we already have?

What if we could slow down and savor what has already been given to us, what we have already achieved, what we have already crafted?

What if we could look at the busyness and flashiness of Life and gently, yet firmly say, “No, thank you. I have everything I need”.

What if we could operate from that four-year-old mindset of living in the perfect majesty of the present moment?

What if what could be isn’t nearly as interesting as what is?

What if, just for now, we feel “enough”? We ARE enough? We HAVE enough?

Thank you. I have everything I need.

And yes, my son remains this amazingly grateful and content to this very day.