If you were to ask a large group of people what they wish they could have more of, many of them would probably answer, “Money.”
This is certainly understandable! Money is the resource that allows us to live comfortable lives in modern day society. It allows us to have a roof over our heads, clothing to wear, and food to eat. Beyond mere survival, money can also help us to experience richer and more meaningful lives through education, travel, art, and entertainment. Money in itself is not a bad thing, but it’s also easy to become so focused on the acquisition of wealth that we lose sight of the important reasons that we want the money in the first place.
Consider your own relationship with money. Does it seem like you are always pursuing money, trying to figure out ways to get more of it, while also worrying that you might not have enough? Are you surrounded by material objects, but still feel a sense of lack? Does it seem like there is an endless list of things you wish you could buy or do, but you can’t afford them?
If you answered yes to most of those questions, you may be laboring under a scarcity mentality. From the perspective of a scarcity mentality, there is never enough, no matter how much you have. You feel compelled to keep accumulating more, whether it’s actual cash or material objects. Seeing your life through this type of lens will never allow you to feel content because you are too keenly aware of what you don’t have, but wish you did. You will meet the world consistently coming from a place of lack.
On the other side of that same coin is an abundance mentality. An abundance mentality allows you to see and appreciate the wealth that you already have, including material objects and money, but also the less tangible forms of wealth like good health, satisfaction, and inner peace. This perspective immediately makes you feel more abundant. Your life feels richer and happier. Even if there are things you want but don’t yet have, you are focused more on the good things that you already have.
Developing an abundance mentality is as simple as focusing more on abundance than on scarcity. Rather than constantly yearning for the things you don’t yet have, spend more time looking at your life and noticing the blessings all around you. Say often, “I am so blessed. I am so abundant. I am so thankful for all I have.” Pay special attention to the more precious gifts in your life, such as your ability to watch the sunrise, or to hug someone you love.
You may be surprised to realize that just by switching your focus to abundance, not only will you feel richer in the present moment, but you should also notice that money no longer seems to elude you. Your continual focus on abundance will keep drawing more of it into your life, but you will no longer feel so attached to it. It will simply be one more blessing to be thankful for.
