Too Much/Not Enough

Tuesday’s Truth

When I was a little girl, my mom used to tell us a story about an old Jewish man who lived in a small house. He knew his house was small, but he preferred it that way because it was less to maintain. Occasionally, he dreamed of expanding his cottage, but then would always come up with a reason not to move forward with his ideas. Instead, he was fine and well to live out his days alone, tending to his garden and animals. Sometimes he missed company, but he never let it bother him too much. One day, a few visitors unexpectedly stopped by to stay hello. Happy to see them, the man invited his guests to stay the night. One night turned into many, and his guests made themselves comfortable in the man’s home. The man was thankful for the change in his routine, so he didn’t say anything as the days turned to weeks.

Emboldened, his guests in turn invited more folks to stop by and stay a while. Before he knew what happened, the man’s small and humble home was filled to the brim with people. Grateful for the company, but feeling the tightness of the quarters, the man tried to find the joy in the visitors. It was a tough challenge. Just when he thought he couldn’t take any more, his visitors decided it was time to leave. Once everyone had gone, the man walked around his home. Suddenly it felt vast, open, and spacious. Rooms that teemed with people were poetically silent; after weeks of furious activities, the man finally found space to breathe and to be. He brewed a cup of tea and sat in his kitchen, appreciating the silence but missing his guests.

I was reminded of this story this morning while chatting with Ghost. He was expanding on all of the things he’s juggling right now – wedding plans, his MBA, kiddos and their sports and schooling, not to mention trying to find time for his boys and maintaining those friendships. I countered with a similar synopsis of my own life, and then I paused. Mom’s story came into my mind immediately. “Do you remember that story mom used to tell,” I asked Ghost. I didn’t need to say anything else – he knew exactly the one.

Sometimes it feels like there’s too much to do. Too much to handle, and not enough hours in the day. Or if there are enough hours, there’s not enough energy. The story that my mom used to tell is a fitting reminder that there will always be these moments of too much/not enough. Life can be spacious and lonely all at once, and the important truth to recognize is the way to balance it.