"You can only sit in one chair at a time"
A friend of my father's was a developer in Florida. During a downturn he found himself living in a rented condo that was part of a development he had built. His wife, commenting on their fluctuating wealth, said, "Well, you can only sit in one chair at a time."
Thanksgiving is often associated with prosperity and prosperity can be measured in so many ways. In whatever area you choose to quantify, ask yourself: How much is enough?
Only being able physically to read one book at a time (although many of us have multiple books we are in the process of reading) is not an argument against libraries. Only being able to wear one pair of pants at a time is not an argument against wardrobes.
There is, however, a principle in each instance that is the same: There is an amount of something that is enough for one person or family and beyond that it gains value in being shared with others. We will not agree on what those amounts are, but we can agree on the principle.
Shared wealth, shared seating, shared books, and shared clothing are better than hoarding. You can only use so much of something and beyond that you must make a choice: Do I try to protect myself against all eventualities or do I bless others? Sure that dress may become fashionable again in 40 years, but a shopper at Goodwill may be blessed by it today. Public libraries and family trusts are ways that communities and families have sought to "share the wealth."
There are opportunities to share your non-financial wealth that are equally significant: Listening to a friend who is grieving the loss of a spouse, tutoring a child, volunteering at your church, or taking a meal to someone who is sick.
Perhaps you enjoy a quiet family dinner on Thanksgiving and don't want to be chastised into adding others to your table. You can extend your table figuratively by dropping off a donation to a local food pantry or shelter.
Typically we drive our family vehicle until it is well worn and then we give it to someone who still finds in it a blessing they might otherwise not have enjoyed. I can't tell you exactly why we do this and I'm not advocating that no one else sell their used vehicles. This is simply one way through the years that we have tried to bless others.
Before you venture out on Black Friday, or on Thanksgiving itself, to pick up the latest bargain, pause and ask: "How much is enough?" There are correlations between financial security and happiness, but there is a limit to those correlations. At the end of the day no matter how large your bed you still face whatever challenges are uniquely yours. As I often say, children do not measure their happiness by the square footage of their homes. More is often, but certainly not always, better (think of the pounds you may pack on this Thanksgiving).
Consider this a simple reminder during this season and throughout the year: Bless others through the simple act of sharing. When all is said and done, you can only sit in one chair at a time!
At Julian Consulting we help our clients to seek success, in part, by considering how much is enough and encouraging them to share the wealth of their lives with others! Call TODAY to determine how we can serve you in this process.
