I have had many interesting conversations this week at work and they have all revolved around defining when do you have enough…..  It has been interesting to hear how people define enough.  Most have spoken of having enough money to never have to work again or the children are finished university.  Half have been appalled that I have resigned from my job in Saudi Arabia after only 15 months, they don’t understand why I would be leaving the best paid job I am ever likely to have in my life so quickly.  Just stay for five years they say, you will be set…… Set for what I think?

I feel like I am set, I think I have defined enough for me.  I am lucky I have paid off my mortgage while I have been in Saudi and for me my little house in the suburbs that I share with my husband and 3 dogs is enough.  I don’t need a bigger flashier one and I don’t really lust after one either.  I have enough work and life skills to be able to work in exciting, culturally diverse areas and I enjoy my job, it is enough.  I have an older car, it is fun to drive and goes fast when I put my foot down, its enough.  I have some hobbies and interests that I can afford to pursue and now will have the time for.

When I moved to Saudi leaving behind the husband and five fur children it was with a definite goal in mind, pay the house off.  My goal has not changed but I have seen others around me constantly resetting the goal post, like enough keeps moving further away.

A recent trip to Adelaide to meet up with some fellow participants on the Rural Leadership program helped me to refocus on what is enough.  A simple visual idea, get a large glass vase + five large balls + some sand.   Half fill the vase with sand and then try to put the five large balls in = you can’t fit the five large balls into the vase.  If you do the experiment in reverse and fill the vase with the five large balls and then pour in the sand it all fits.  The five large balls are the five things that you like to do in life most, these are the things that you do that make you feel like you have ‘enough’.  Mine were

1. Spending time with my husband and dogs in the garden,
2. Cooking,
3. Yoga
4. Spending time with extended family
5. Horse riding

As I wrote out my list I realised that living in Saudi Arabia meant that 4 out of my 5 big likes were gone and that was why it was time to leave.  My goal had been reached and there wasn’t enough reason to stay any longer.