08 Sep “I Wish You Enough” – One powerful reminder for living life fully.
The phrase, change is constant in life is a reality to be embraced.
My wife and I are watching our three boys (two high schoolers and a middle schooler) morph into young adults and perhaps now, more than ever, we appreciate the advice we’ve received and also admonish others with the same – maximize and cherish the moments. Pause and enjoy the terrible twos (a phase we despised) and treasure the elementary years (probably the best phase with being super dad and wonder mom, that hero life and all). Anyway, I digress…
This past holiday, we experienced firsthand the power of intentionality and nurturing relationships. We made the boys read the classic book, “The Alchemist” and during dinner provide a debrief. It was quite an amazing opportunity, we bonded over life’s journey, discovering purpose, falling in love, making sacrifices, and finding fulfillment. As I wrote that last paragraph, a wave of emotions swept over me, I know we will never forget that time for the rest of our lives. (Interested in some suggestions for this year’s break, please feel free to share in the comments below).
This story inspires me daily to value moments and be intentional. I hope it does the same for you and yours. I believe that the summation of our lives can be positive, enriching and empowering but we have to make that choice each day.
Please read this story below.
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I WISH YOU ENOUGH
“Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter’s departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said: “I love you and I wish you enough.”
The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.”
They kissed and the daughter left.
The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?”
“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?”
“I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.
When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, “I wish you enough.” May I ask what that means?”
She began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.”
She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
“When we said ‘I wish you enough’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them”.
Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory.
- I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
- I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
- I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
- I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
- I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
- I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
- I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
She then began to sob and walked away.
My friends, I wish you enough!
Dr. Flo is a #Hybrid Leader, a Leadership & Business Advisory Senior Consultant & Executive Coach @Slalom Co-Founder, The Hybrid Leadership Institute and the host of The Leadership Coach Podcast.
Read more on leadership, coaching and personal development –
- On Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/people/flofalayi
- On my blog, www.flofalayi.com/blog
- Follow me on Twitter @drflofalayi
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