True abundance is ours for the having. All of the spiritual tools we need, and all of the wisdom required, is within.
This is the kind of abundance where nothing is lacking; where blessings and synchronicities flow like waterfalls; when you wake up and can’t believe that this is actually your life.
It’s possible to unearth this kind of joy.
And it is a joy worth having because it does not depend on anything outside of yourself.
Like all worthwhile things, it takes dedication and mindfulness to make the transformation, but with a little practice (that’s why we call these “practices”), your vision will change and you will see the world through brand new eyes.
Here are a few simple and profound ways to shift your perspective from one of lack, to one of radical abundance.
1. Be amazed.
Slow down a little. Notice more. Breathe it all in. Be amazed.
We are rich with gifts, right where we are, when we look at the world with appreciation and awe.
Register the sight of natural beauty and linger longer over small moments of tea and friendship.
Imagine how incredible it is that your spirit is embodied here in the world to feel a soft blanket, a soapy dish, a loving hand; to read a book, to listen to music; to laugh, to cry, to love.
Attention brings energy, so you will feel your positive energy grow in relation to the beauty that you see in small ordinary moments of daily life.
Look for the sacred in the small and you will surely find it.
"To be spiritual is to be amazed." - Abraham Heschel
2. Open to the wisdom of nature.
The amazement continues into the natural world.
Pause to soak up the smell of pine, the sound of the rain or a lilting bird song.
Sunrise, sunset and the spin of the earth in between are nothing short of miracles.
Greet nature mindfully, noticing the small beauties, the rich colors, the new growth, the leaves in flight.
Tune in to the changing seasons and allow nature to teach you her abundant ways.
They are countless and magnificent. Flow with her gifts.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” - Lao Tzu
3. Cultivate relentless gratitude.
After you notice the blessings (which is gratitude in itself), you can follow up with a short offering of appreciation - 'Thank you!' - to deepen the shift.
This humble act of expressing gratitude opens your heart to the abundance that lies in and around you all the time.
The more you give thanks, the more blessings you see and the more abundance you feel.
Punctuate the day with a thousand words of thanks.
You can also bookend the day with a gratitude practice:
Rise each morning and whisper, 'Thank you.'
Offer a morning moment of gratitude for this precious life, for this precious day, for this precious moment.
Then end the day with a grateful heart, seeing clearly from the overview of your highest self, how many incredible gifts you have been given.
Assume that the challenges of the day have purpose and meaning. Accept that what is undone will be accomplished in its perfect time.
Lay your plans in the arms of the divine and know that all is well and that you are loved.
The day is done and you can rest with a heart full of gratitude.
“If the only prayer you say in your life is 'thank you,' it would be enough.” - Meister Eckhart
4. Be still.
Spend some time every day in silence. Meditation, a walk in nature, yoga and contemplative prayer all work beautifully.
Learn to still your mind and listen to your inner voice.
Learn to calm your thoughts and reveal the serenity that resides within.
Learn to slow down a little and activate the spirit's wisdom from which you will be guided.
Learn to silence the phone and allow stillness to unfurl your soul.
Be still and know.
“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.” - Maya Angelou
5. Let compassion be your compass.
Practice compassion, spreading loving-kindness to yourself and all beings.
When you lead your life with a heart of love, you are in alignment with your highest self and plugged into divine wisdom.
Compassion toward yourself brings freedom, confidence, acceptance and calm.
Compassion toward others allows judgement to fall away, along with resistance and much of your anxiety.
Kindness offered to those in need, or who have less than you do, lifts the giver and the receiver.
Lead your life from a place of love and make space for abundant experiences to flow back into your heart.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If YOU want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama
These simple practices can render profound changes. Practice them with faith and gentle determination.
Start by breathing in the joy of perfect abundance that surrounds you now.
Allow it to fill you up.
And offer up the only prayer you will ever need. 'Thank you.'
In The World:
Weave these simple practices into your day today: Be amazed. Learn from nature. Cultivate gratitude. Be still. Let love lead.
Write them down. Open the window of the soul and let them in. After a few days, you will feel your spirit ignite and hear your soul sing.
In The Heart:
I allow the sacred thread of divine wisdom to take the lead in my life and show me the way to joy.
