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It is the most incredible and unexpected present of the last few years that I am now, in almost every way, full. My cup is full. It overruns, even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am satisfied and in love with what is around me. (Even as our material security is the most precarious it has been.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enough. Genug. Basta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough\u201d comes from the proto-Germanic ganog<\/em> and I have enjoyed its raw German version since I learned it in high school:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It stops and starts. It\u2019s complete. Genug.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever heard this song<\/a> by Kraftwerk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a classical melody and a crisp, refreshing drum track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also just enough. Perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are short stories<\/a> that are just enough. Not more, not less. Prayers<\/a>, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Spanish basta<\/em><\/strong> is a little bit different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It comes from the Greek \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9, to carry, bear up, carry off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, what lifts us up, what sustains us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is what we need. <\/em>Not what we want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is joy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, the personal is political<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n True story, Word of Honor: I said, \u201cJoe, how does it make you feel Our system is a symptom of our society<\/a> just as much as it ratchets us<\/a> in the same horrible direction: bottomless appetitive, envy, resentment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the way down to Tijuana a few weeks, we played the excellent Contrapoints video on Envy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it made me realize that we\u2019ve spent way too much time on electoral politics (push) and not enough on social trends (pull).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s hoping we can find our way to being ruled by people who know the meaning of the word \u201cenough\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGenug.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nRuled by our wants.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer
now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire
on Shelter Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel \u2018Catch-22\u2019
has earned in its entire history?\u201d
And Joe said, \u201cI\u2019ve got something he can never have.\u201d
And I said, \u201cWhat on earth could that be, Joe?\u201d
And Joe said, \u201cThe knowledge that I\u2019ve got enough.\u201d
Not bad! Rest in peace!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/assets.buttondown.email\/images\/368d862a-8e52-4aea-8837-80146e8e8dee.jpg?w=960&fit=max\")
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