From Scarcity to Abundance: Changing Our State of Mind
I've noticed in conversations with people lately that there is a common theme: the fear of not having enough money.
That is, in this moment, there is enough. However, there is a fear that funds are running low. This fear leads to thoughts about how the future will bring more expenses than income, and those thoughts lead to a deeper fear and a heaviness that comes with it.
The thing is that these thoughts and feelings of heaviness and fear of not having enough put us into a survival state of mind.
Survival requires a mentality of frugality, leading to restrictive thinking. It is a state of fear. This restrictive, fearful state discourages creativity, curiosity, and taking initiative—all of which are important components of financial success.
It interferes with our thought processes and perpetuates negative thinking, creating an energy of scarcity. In essence, the very thing we are afraid of can be reinforced by the thought processes brought about by our fear of scarcity.
Sometimes these thoughts and feelings are connected to the time of year, as they may be right now, when we are entering the winter months.
It's absolutely necessary to prepare and to plan, but it's equally necessary to prepare and plan from a mental space of abundance rather than scarcity.
Of course, financial scarcity is not simply a fear of what might happen in the future, but a very real struggle in the present for many people. And while changing our state of mind won't necessarily change our financial circumstances, it can help us approach those circumstances with greater clarity, creativity, and a sense of possibility.
Sometimes it's hard to catch yourself in this state, and when you're there, it's possible that you're so deeply immersed in it that it's difficult to get out on your own.
In order to get out, we need to use all of our mental, physical, and emotional skills, especially if we're trying to break a habitual pattern of thinking.
Depending upon what's easier for you—recognizing your thoughts, your emotions, or your physical posture—that's where you begin.
Take notice of yourself. Be mindful of what you're thinking, what you're feeling emotionally, or what you're experiencing physically.
Let's take posture, for example.
The emotional state of worry or concern often comes with a constricted feeling in the body.
Sadness comes with a heaviness, a lowering of the head, and the absence of a smile on your face.
And the thoughts are obvious. We've just discussed them: thoughts of fear and scarcity.
Once you notice any of these things, begin by doing the opposite.
Concerning the body, if you notice that your shoulders are slumped, pull them back. If your head is hanging forward instead of resting comfortably on top of your shoulders, lift it up proudly.
There is no need to feel shame about something you fear you won't have in the future.
Feeling shame over something you don't have now is also unnecessary, although it may be somewhat understandable. But feeling shame over something you imagine you won't have in the future is simply ridiculous when you stop to think about it.
At the same time, understand that the feelings you're having deserve to be respected. They are here to help you, and they are doing the best they know how.
Have compassion for yourself, especially if this is habitual behavior.
And this applies to your emotions just as much as it does to your thought processes.
Once you learn this technique of doing the opposite of what you're experiencing mentally, emotionally, or physically, practice it whenever you remember.
If you go through most of the day feeling down and heavy, and finally, toward the end of the day—or even the next morning—you get tired of feeling that way, simply change the behavior without focusing on the solution.
The solution to the problem can come later, once you've brought yourself into a physiological state that supports success and growth rather than restriction.
Without focusing on the solution, do the opposite of your posture. Introduce the opposite emotional feeling, and introduce a thought that is the opposite of scarcity.
A thought of abundance.
Notice how your posture changes with that new thought of abundance, and notice how your thoughts change while holding the posture of abundance, success, and pride.
This new state is the state of being in which salvation can come.
Allow yourself to be in it fully.
Coming out of the spiritually, emotionally, and physically abundant month of Tishrei and entering the month of Cheshvan, where that abundance is much less obvious, together with the darkness of winter and overcast skies, can have a profoundly negative effect on a person. And many people seem to be affected by it.
But once you realize that the abundance of energy isn't lacking, that it's simply not as obvious, you can begin to reconnect with it.
We need to reach up and draw upon the abundance of the deeply spiritual experiences we've just had in the previous month and bring that abundance into the physical world.
In doing so, we create greater space for G-dliness to dwell in our everyday lives, cultivating a thriving energy that brings with it an abundance of positivity, vitality, connection with family, and financial prosperity.
Thank you for being part of this journey. If you have any questions or need further support, please reach out, and we can see if working with me will work for you 😉. Together, we can navigate the path to healing and growth — for you and your relationships.
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