First of all, forget the idea that abundance equals money. To me, it also means enjoying your life and feeling fulfilled and content.
And the best way to get there is through awareness and gratitude. Awareness means to be in the present moment as much as possible. I know, that's easier said than done, but try to keep your yappy mind from… a) rehashing the past (you know how you keep going over conversations in your mind and beat yourself up for the things you said or wish you had said; the same goes for any form of shame, guilt, and holding grudges). b) projecting into the future (that includes worrying, something most women I know excel at). Rehashing the past makes no sense because it’s over and done—and guilt is one of the most destructive emotions. Projecting into the future is just as irrational. Sure, it’s good to plan for the future and have goals, but too many people mistake planning for certainty. It makes them feel as if they know what’s going to happen. But planning only gives you the illusion that you know what’s going to happen. In reality, there is very little in your life you actually have control over. (Your reactions to events would be one of those things, but that’s another topic for another day.) Unfulfilled expectations (i.e., the past) and fear/apprehension/anxiety (i.e., the future) is what drives us crazy as we live our day-to-day lives. The remedy is to stay in the present as much as possible, and life automatically becomes more abundant. That also includes material abundance, which is more likely to find you the more relaxed and aware you are. The other thing you should practice is gratitude, which goes hand in hand with awareness. Whenever you feel your mind slipping into anxious (future) or resentful (past) mode, stop and look around you. Find one thing that is good in your life right now and thank God for it. It doesn’t matter what it is—even little things work, like the perfect flower next to you on the sidewalk, or a penny that you then bend down and pick up. (I call pennies “Messages from the Holy Spirit”—they remind us that "In God We Trust"; it's like a little nudge saying, “Hey, I’m here, I’m watching, just call if you need me.” That's why you should always pick them up.) Make sure to open your heart and feel real gratitude while you say thanks. Expand your chest and sternum and breathe in deeply. Try to recreate the awe and wonder you felt as a kid when you saw a horse, ate an ice cream cone, or sat on a swing for the first time. Speaking of children: A big part of creating abundance through awareness is to become a child again. Try to rediscover the sense of breathless amazement that you used to have before catastrophic electric bills, failing alternators, and pissed-off supervisors became a thing. You’ll be amazed how magical your life becomes. |
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April 2021
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