How much is enough?

A question posed by Maisey this morning, when enquiring how long she would have to wait for her nail polish to dry!  Did make me stop for a moment and think (not just about nail polish).  An incredibly profound question wouldn't you agree?  In fact more than just a question; rather a concept in its own right.  How much really is enough?  How much of any one thing do we need to say, do or have to feel satisfied?

How much revision is enough?  How many hours spent at work is enough? How big a punishment (for naughty boys who won't stop using their mobile in school) is enough?  How much time dedicated to your children is enough? (And in fact how many children must you give birth to in order to feel you've assisted the population enough?)  How much of a salary is enough?   How many possessions are enough?  How many holidays, nights out and "me" time is enough, and how unhappy do we need to be with it all before we say enough is enough full stop!

I personally feel that within the environment in which we westerners live, no amount is ever sufficient.  We are delicately conditioned to believe there is always more we could, should or might have which would, in effect, make us complete.   Inevitably though no matter how much we do, say or have, it will never feel like enough.  I guess a new mind set is called for.

Talking of minds.  Danny.  The most obscure mind of them all.  I had feedback this week from his specialist (Mr T - though not I hasten to add the Mr T. of A Team Fame) who has been in to the school and observed Danny in action.  He informs me that Dan is definitely on the autistic spectrum although at the highly functioning end and therefore in the category of Aspergers.  When I told Danny this he was outraged because he said  Mr T. never even spoke to him (although he did ask Dan several questions but apparently this isn't speaking?!) and so Danny has concluded the man is lying to somehow get more money.  We did try to explain that SEN workers generally don't get paid on piece rates but Danny being Danny (and now as we know being Aspergers Danny) was having none of it. 

I am relieved to know there is a reason for his idiosyncrasies however - and hopefully my urge to beat him senseless on a regular basis will diminish with my new found understanding of his condition.  Incidentally I would say at this point that I have never yet beaten him....it is only an urge.  No need to contact Social Services.

Although Euan is probably on the verge of contacting them himself based on the injustice he feels he is currently experiencing at our hands.  Yesterday he was moping around the house like a person in the throws of bereavement.  I have come to conclude that he was actually in a very unhealthy relationship with his PS3, not so much love as bordering on stalker style obsession, and that this stint of withdrawal will do him the world of good.  I wonder, with all these new fangled consoles, gizmos and virtual networking sites that now exist, whether we aren't just creating a generation of freaks who will struggle with human interaction and only connect to gadgetry.   Anyway I'm hopeful that this two week ban will bring absout some resolution to the issue.

And not the pixelated kind.