Depending upon our life experiences, each one of us has a different
definition of abundance, much of which is learned during childhood. We
are taught at an early age to either want for nothing or yearn for more.
We learn how to react to those who have much more than us, and we
develop our thoughts and attitudes about sharing with the less
fortunate. We decide which things we hunger for the most, many times
based upon those things that we lacked early in life.
As we grow and develop, we are constantly bombarded by messages
regarding wealth, power, money, and greed. Magazines, newspapers,
television, and movies all express society’s thoughts regarding such
matters, and as time has progressed, we have developed into a more
materialistic society. More emphasis has been placed on the ownership of
elaborate possessions and such things as spirituality and family values
seem to have been cast aside.
This sets us up for great disappointments, since we are taught that
we can never have enough. It leaves us striving to reach an ambiguous
and unattainable goal – to have “enough.” Yet there is never any
definition of what enough truly is.
Happiness in life and an internal feeling of fulfillment come with the achievement of intangible goals, and sometimes we receive the greatest enjoyment out of those actions which help others in need. When we accumulate so much in life in the way of money or personal possessions, it makes it difficult to appreciate those things. However, when we live by more modest means and experience abundance only occasionally, it makes the experience so much sweeter and the enjoyment so much greater. For this reason, our goals of personal development should direct us to a modest lifestyle that allows for true appreciation of our successes, rather than establishing an unfulfilling expectation of constant abundance.
Happiness in life and an internal feeling of fulfillment come with the achievement of intangible goals, and sometimes we receive the greatest enjoyment out of those actions which help others in need. When we accumulate so much in life in the way of money or personal possessions, it makes it difficult to appreciate those things. However, when we live by more modest means and experience abundance only occasionally, it makes the experience so much sweeter and the enjoyment so much greater. For this reason, our goals of personal development should direct us to a modest lifestyle that allows for true appreciation of our successes, rather than establishing an unfulfilling expectation of constant abundance.
Find Your Definition of Abundance
To help you accomplish this, look to your childhood. What things did
you have during your childhood, and what things did you lack? Are your
goals for attaining personal possessions or power right now based upon
those things you did not have as a child? What feelings do those
possessions evoke? Determine which feelings regarding materialistic
possessions you still carry with you, which ones have transformed, and
why certain feelings have changed. By understanding the origins of your
feelings regarding possessions, you will be able to make necessary
changes that will restore your life to greater balance.
Determine the Cost of Abundance
Having an abundant supply of personal possessions comes at a great
cost, and you need to evaluate whether that cost is really worth
ownership of such belongings. Cost involves much more than the monetary
aspect of owning personal possessions. Time away from the family,
missing your children’s milestones as they grow, loss of sleep, and
deteriorating health are all costs associated with maintaining personal
possessions.
There is no doubt we must all provide for our basic needs and the
needs of our families, but when the importance of owning possessions
eclipses the importance of our own personal health and the well-being of
our relationships, it is time to reevaluate our values and bring them
more in line with reasonable expectations.
Balancing Your Needs with Your Desires
As with most things in life, the best way to achieve happiness is to
find a healthy balance. Determine those things you need in life in order
to have a comfortable and fulfilled life with your family. Then make a
list of your desires – those things above and beyond your basic needs
that make your life more comfortable and more enjoyable.
Determine what it would take for you to achieve your basic needs,
then determine what you would need to do in order to obtain your
desires. Look at the consequences to your personal and emotional well
being as a result of attempting to achieve all of your desires.
Finally, balance your lists. When you are setting your goals, ensure
all of your family’s needs are met. Then allow for the addition of some
of the extras. Ensure you leave yourself personal time for sleep,
exercise, and family interaction.
By allowing yourself to experience abundance occasionally rather than
pushing to perpetually achieve it, your life will have a greater work
life balance. You and your family will have a much greater appreciation
for those times when you do get to enjoy life’s little extras, but you
will have the proper emotional support and family network to provide you
with the greatest satisfactions life has to offer.
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