Enough

"You aren't enough." 

That voice whispers to us when that is the last thing we need.

When the babies are crying, the phone is ringing, someone is knocking at the door, your toddler is asking for a snack, you just stubbed your toe running for the door AND the phone, a diaper needs changed, cheerios are being mashed into the carpet, you feel like you are about to lose your marbles, and then you hear it: "You aren't doing enough. You aren't spending enough time with the kids. You aren't running fast enough. You don't look like you are put together. You aren't enough."

I don't write this because I have mastered drowning out that voice, but because that voice is very familiar to me. 

Do you hear it too, occasionally? Daily? Too often?

Why is it that sometimes we sabotage ourselves with these voices. Why do we give them time to creep in? Why do we listen and believe?

You ARE enough.

You are enough when you are doing your very best with what you have. You are enough when you have been run ragged. As much as we wish, we can't do it all. 

Whoever you are, whatever your role is in life, you are enough. If you are a single mom, single woman, full-time, part-time, no-time worker, if you feel you aren't good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, social enough, you are enough. If you feel forgotten, or looked over, you are worth it. 

I used to beat myself up quite a bit about working full-time and being a mom full-time. I felt guilty about spending time with Sahara- the office was neglected. I felt guilty about doing my office work- my daughter was neglected. I stressed, I tried to do it all. I ran myself ragged I cried, I was at the end of my rope.

Then it hit me:

You are enough.

 You are enough when you are doing the very best you can. Don't expect anything over and above that. Do your best and nothing more.

Whatever it is that is running you ragged, whatever weighs you down like a ton of bricks, don't let it. Don't expect more than you can give.
Then, we will be enough.