Embracing a Mindset of Abundance

I’ll never be good enough.

If only I had (fill in the blank).

When I have or do (fill in the blank), then I’ll finally be happy.

There’s not enough time.

Why do they get to go on nice vacations and I don’t get to go anywhere?

Why can’t I be more like her?

Do you ever catch yourself making statements like these? I know I sure have. Do you notice what all of these statements have in common?

These statements all come from a mindset of scarcity. Not enough. There’s not enough time, money, resources, experiences, etc. I’ll never have enough, do enough, or be enough to make myself or those around me happy. 

Statements like these put us in the position of being a victim. Poor me. Others have it so much better than me. I’ll never measure up so why even bother (cue Eeyore).

When we think like a victim, we act like a victim. And when we act like a victim that’s exactly what we become. We get stuck in a place of believing that we aren’t deserving of all the good things life has to offer, that there is something wrong with us, that we’ll never be enough.

And then we start to focus on all the ways this plays out in our lives. We look for the scarcity to support our victim mindset, and that’s what we find. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

One of the biggest ways I find myself in a scarcity mindset is when I fall into the trap of comparison. I look at what others have that I lack or don’t have and believe somehow that makes me ‘less than’. Our minds like to focus on the negative, so it’s easy to go there. 

But it’s a slippery slope when we start comparing ourselves to others. 

Another way I see the scarcity mindset show up is when we use the word ‘should’. For me this is the bad ‘sh’ word. Whether we’re telling ourselves or someone else what we ‘should’ do or ‘should’ be or ‘should’ have, we are focusing on an unmet expectation which leads to disappointment. We’re looking at the ways we have or someone else has fallen short and left us with that feeling of not enough.

So what’s the opposite of scarcity? ABUNDANCE. I just love that word. Abundance means a large amount of something, overflowing, more than enough. 

When I think of abundance, I think of cornucopia overflowing with goodies, a waterfall flowing over a cliff, a perfectly sunny day, a field full of flowers.

I have been really trying to shift to a mindset of abundance. Focusing on all that I do have instead of what I’m lacking. Looking for the good in people in situations instead of what’s wrong. Taking pride in what I am doing instead of ‘shoulding’ myself and telling others they’re doing a great job instead of criticizing.

One way I like to focus on abundance is through gratitude. Gratitude has become such a powerful way for me to shift my mindset. When I’m searching for things to be grateful for, I don’t have space to look for what’s lacking.

Our societal mentality of ‘every man for himself’ breads a culture of fear, anxiety, and scarcity. There’s a sense of urgency to get ahead, make more money, do more things, gain more experiences like our life depended on it. I don’t know about you, but that way of living exhausts me and leaves me feeling disconnected.

God promises us abundance when we trust in him. That doesn’t mean life will always be easy, but he promises we will always have what we need. He will take care of us and has a plan for us that is far greater than we can imagine.

We can have abundant joy, love and peace when we put our faith in him.

I choose to focus on abundance. I choose to believe that I have everything I need right now, that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and that who I am is more than enough. 

There is more than enough to go around, including God’s love, mercy, and grace. He knows and loves every single one of us and he blesses us abundantly. And that's more than enough for me.

Do you tend to have a mindset of scarcity or abundance? What might change if you focused on gratitude? How could you start a practice of gratitude?