When Is Enough Enough?

Welcome back to Mind by Fire — I have taken a few weeks off from writing. I do not like to say I have been busy, but I have had several things going on that prevented me from sitting down and writing.

One of those things has been a new venture that I am building. Much like this newsletter, it contributes to the ecosystem I am trying to create through sober living and the things I genuinely enjoy doing.

At times my focus gets pulled in different directions, but I know when it's time to reset.

I am intentionally building a life that I love. A life that I do not want to retire from.

That leads me to this week's reflection.

How do you define enough?

Have you ever defined it at all?

Most of us spend a large portion of our lives chasing something. We set a goal, work toward it, achieve it, and then turn our attention toward the next thing.

There is nothing wrong with ambition. Growth, improvement, and achievement are all worthwhile pursuits.

What I've been reflecting on lately is whether most people ever stop to define what enough looks like for them.

If you reached enough, would you know it?

A marathon has a finish line. The runners know where it is before the race begins. Their training determines how they perform, but it doesn't change where the race ends.

Life feels different.

Many of us spend years running without ever deciding where our finish line is. We reach goals that once felt important, only to discover they no longer carry the same meaning once we've achieved them. What once felt like an accomplishment gradually becomes our new normal.

Along the way, I spend a lot of time reflecting on the things that make me happy and the areas of my life I want to improve.

What I've come to realize is that you can chase a new thing all you want, but if the core issues remain, the chasing never stops. We convince ourselves that the next accomplishment, purchase, promotion, or achievement will finally fill the gap.

More often than not, we're already living a life we love.

We just don't give it the attention and nurturing it deserves.

If you've never looked into dopamine, anticipation, and pursuit, it's worth exploring. It may provide some insight into why the next mile always seems more appealing than the one you're standing on.

So I'll leave you with the same question I've been reflecting on.

If you reached enough, would you know it?

Root 90 Update

I mentioned earlier that I have been working on a new venture, and I wanted to provide a brief update on what that looks like.

Root 90 is an open-fire hospitality experience. While food is a central part of it, we are not a catering company. The goal is to create experiences centered around live-fire cooking while demonstrating how ingredients, seasonings, sauces, and technique work together to create authentic dishes made over fire.

Over the weekend, we hosted our first tasting event and are in the testing phase of developing seasoning blends. Right now, we're still experimenting, gathering feedback, and figuring out what resonates with people.

One thing I'm excited about is eventually hosting classes. Not necessarily teaching someone how to grill a steak, but introducing people to cuts of meat they may have never cooked before, comparing different techniques, and seeing firsthand how small changes can create completely different results.

It's another way for people to experience what Root 90 is about and take a few ideas back to their own backyard.

Root 90 is also intended to support something larger than itself. As it grows, a portion of the proceeds will go toward a scholarship foundation for sober living to help people who are working to build a better life for themselves.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey so far.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.