What does abundance mean in real life?

It’s harvest season, and even if you aren’t Team Pumpkin Spice, you might still enjoy the comforting images of fall produce, warm fires, hot tea, and cozy blankets.  There’s a feeling of simplicity, security, and peace knowing you have all you need.

On our fall vacation (the first since Covid!) I was thinking a lot about the abundance mindset.  Why we feel so much richer when we allow ourselves the space to enjoy what we have.

With my clients, we talk about how the abundance mindset is key to business development and confidence in law practice.  Knowing that there is more than enough work to go around and just the right amount meant for you, in particular.  By knowing our strengths and our worth, we feel more comfortable asking for it, recognizing it, and receiving it.

I also enjoy Miranda Anderson’s perspective on minimalism and abundance.  Following her family’s year-of-no-shopping challenge, documented in her book More Than Enough, Miranda explains that the abundance mindset is key for reducing personal consumption.  What you have is plenty!  You could literally buy nothing else new and be just fine.

But in addition to these core concepts, I’ve been reflecting on the power of an abundance mindset in my life.  It allows me to treat myself and others with tenderness, steadiness, and compassion.

The abundance mindset is a state of mind that allows feelings of ease over struggle and happiness over anguish.  Believing that we have everything we need, we can feel safe in ourselves and be generous with others. 

Abundance is love; Scarcity is fear

I understand it best when I consider the opposite:  scarcity.  Scarcity leads to competition, fear, defensiveness, and limiting beliefs that hold us back.  In large doses it also leads to individual cruelty, pervasive injustice, and systemic inequities.

When I am acting rom a place of scarcity, I feel myself tighten down, holding on to control to protect myself when it feels resources are scarce.  But when I remember that I have everything I need, I can feel at ease, relax my body, serve others well, and be at peace.  That’s the power of an abundance mindset.  Abundance is love; scarcity is fear.

Many times in my life, I’ve found that a mantra—which is just a simple saying you repeat to yourself— helps me to remember this truth and get back on track when fear takes over.  I used mantras often during stressful periods of life, such as when my children were born an during difficult seasons in my career.  Mantras remind me of my worth, my strength, and my recovery ahead.

I’ve been reflecting on what abundance means to me, in practice, and repeating some of these sayings as mantras to keep me focused on gratitude and abundance.  I hope you find them enlightening or useful as you find abundance in your life, too.

Simple Sayings 

I can let go and rest (actually fall asleep!) because nothing will be lost.

I feel that yesterday was a great day, and today was a great day, regardless of what happens tomorrow.

I haven’t used up my happiness, or my luck, or the love intended for me.

I have everything I need in this moment.

I will be loved even if I make a mistake.

I have enough, I am enough, and I am safe.

There is plenty of love, work, and money to go around, and I am worth of these gifts just by being me and using my gifts. 

“Nothing worthwhile is lost by taking time.”

Healthy boundaries, meaning holding space for others to be themselves and have their own experiences but also holding space for what I feel and what I need.

I can have a bad dream and still have a great day!  I can have a bad day and still have a great life.

The ocean always sends the waves.

A toast

Here’s to finding the abundance in your life that has always been there waiting for you. I’m cheering for you!