Never Enough: A Tale of Finding Unexpected Joy and Connection
One Sunday evening, our family was driving down Colorado Boulevard in Denver. We pulled up to one of the 100 red lights along our route, and our attention was drawn to the car next to ours. Several teenagers were emphatically singing - nay, belting out with whole hearts (and arms). This was a whole body experience for them.
Our four family members responded:
Upon noticing this activity, my husband became curious and rolled down the windows to hear what was so captivating.
Upon hearing and recognizing the song, I instantly joined the singing, emphatically aiming to match their enthusiasm levels note by note.
Upon my launching into the song, our two boys sank down lower in the backseat, embarrassed by their mother’s passionate vocals and even grander hand gestures.
Because it’s Colorado Boulevard, we caught up with these singers multiple times as we crawled through traffic to the next light. Never have I appreciated the Boulevard crawl more than that night. And what song captivated us all, you ask?
“Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman.
Are you familiar? Can you picture the scene better now? Are you singing too?
Why has this moment stuck with me?
1. Unexpected Joy and Connection
I loved seeing young people, together, belting out showtunes like their lives depended on it. And I loved that they loved that I was belting it right back at them.
What a rare, beautiful moment of connection across generations - unexpected and mysterious.
Who were these young people? Why this song? Did they find others to sing with them on their journey home or was this moment unique to their night too?
I secretly hope they went home and said, "remember that family who sang with us?? I want to be like that when I'm older."
2. The Idea of "What is Enough?"
I loved the song choice. “Never Enough” is a ballad of epic proportions and its meaning packs a punch. In the movie, the main character, played by Hugh Jackman, is seeking fortune and fame, navigating the challenges and temptations that come along with that climb.
The lyrics also raise the question to me of “what is enough?” not only in my daily life, but also in my ambition and broader life goals. For so long I climbed a corporate ladder, and while each new rung brought some satisfaction, it was indeed, never enough.
There will always be more impressive titles, higher salaries, positions with more power. What was enough for me?
And when would I ever be satisfied?
Ah, sorry, wrong musical.
I was raised in our American culture of achievement. We were taught to want more, do more, BE more. Be best, in fact (eesh). We were trained to climb. But to what end?
I suppose, in the end, it depends on how you define success. And it looks different in different seasons of life, depending upon circumstances. My definition right now is focused on being my best self for my family and giving back to the world.
My definition of success is more well-rounded than a job title.
But then again, so am I.
And so are you.
What are you doing now, Boulevard belters?
I occasionally think about those singers from the car. I hope they keep up their passion and continue to spread that joy. If I see you on Colorado Boulevard again, may I still have the energy (and less embarrassment than our kids) to match your enthusiasm. Fist over fist in the air.
Because, do you know what I will never get enough of? Having fun, being my fullest weirdest self, and connecting with other humans.
Have you had an unexpected moment of joy and connection that has stayed with you?
Want to talk more about “what is enough?” And what will lead to satisfaction?
Or how about: how do we lean into finding moments of spontaneous joy and connection?
Contact me and let’s work together! But watch this movie clip first.
If you enjoyed this reflection, you might also like my thoughts on how our mindset can change our day and then our life or how the Enneagram fosters personal discovery and self-awareness.
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