I Have Enough
The Season of Giving is upon us, my friends. I don’t know about you, but to me it feels more and more like the Season of Needless Excess these days; of buying and gifting each other things we don’t really need simply to fulfill what has become a social obligation. And don’t even get me started on all that excessive gift-wrapping that’s basically instant landfill! Yes, I’m being a bit of a Grinch here, but it’s hard to be otherwise once you learn that Americans waste nearly $16 billion on unwanted gifts every year.
That’s not to say I’m against all gift-giving, or opposed to indulging our own wants from time to time. But perhaps, we can try to focus more on things that are needed and helpful, and less on the use-and-throw-away variety?
I draw my mantra for this season from a page in a book by one of my favorite artists, Maira Kalman, which has the above illustration with the words: "On the wall was a dress that I embroidered. It said 'Ich Habe Genug.' Which is a Bach Cantata. Which I once thought meant 'I've had it, I can't take anymore, give me a break.' But I was wrong. It means 'I have enough.' And that is utterly true. I happen to be alive. End of discussion. But I will go out and buy a hat."
Maureen Nandini Mitra
Editor, Earth Island Journal
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