Abundance: The Responsibility of Plenty

Introduction:

Welcome my friend!

I'd have to start by saying that hanging out here with you on the last day of the month does count as ending it on a good note.

Truly, through each Friday, we've met here to share some lessons and this one wouldn't be any different; as we look to talk through truths that'll stay with us even as months turn into years.

The word abundance comes with it this feel good energy because it means that we can think about having so much more than is required to meet our needs.

So we think about what more money, food, clothes, comfort, luxury and all that kind of stuff will do to our lives.

Of how much easier it's going to be if we had to fret less about doing the basic things but instead have enough pay forward.

Yet in a world where the resources aren't evenly distributed to allow everyone to have all they want, how do we ensure we make the most of our "little or nothing" and what does having plenty really mean to us?

Discussion:

While the first step to having something is the desire for it, dreams only become a reality when backed by efforts.

Many times our frustrations come from not having the prosperous farm that we want to, yet the whole time we had a seed right in front of us.

In thinking of abundance we immediately think of the final stage of harvest and produce without paying attention to the fact that it had all started from somewhere.

A tree is only here because someone identified and planted a viable seed.

Once we understand that we're this seed we begin to nurture ourselves towards growth through quality thoughts and actions, well aware of how they influence our maturity.

■ Making More out of "Little or Nothing"

To have more, we need to become more. For instance, if you show up to a store with the grocery list and half the items aren't on sale, you can only purchase as much as is available.

It's the same for our value.

We get paid for as much as the problems we can solve and the perceived monetary equivalent of our impact.

This is how life works.

What this means is that to have more we need to work on ourselves to provide more value through constant learning and self development.

Here, we must also acknowledge that the usual excuses of "I have nothing", "I'm not talented", "I was born in…" and so on are all false narratives of self pity that keep us from pushing ourselves to do more; and stands in contradiction to the abundance mindset.

Once our mind is fixed, our heart is immediately opened up to possibilities, intentionally seeking out to be resourceful rather than idly moan about the limitations of our lack of resources.

■ Understanding the Process

No matter the quality of a mango seed, it's always going to take between three to five (3 - 5) years for it to start bearing fruits.

This is the role of time in our development.

Also, it takes two to three (2 -3) months for a corn to develop from seed to fruit.

This is the uniqueness from one plant to another and it's the same for us.

When we compare ourselves to others that are already manifesting their abundance, we disregard the fact that the process and duration of development can vary from individual to individual according to our qualities and who we're to become.

Practically, we can see this in the duration and level of training it takes to become a medical doctor when compared to let's say a make-up up artist.

Having this understanding helps us to remain steadfast as we allow ourselves to be fully developed and ready to serve our purpose accordingly yet efficiently.

■ Qualities to Embrace

There are three (3) character traits that we must exhibit in the process in other to manifest our abundance, they are discipline, patience and perseverance.

Discipline is a virtue of self control and restraint where we're able to suppress harmful or unbeneficial desires for the benefit of our goals.

In the absence of discipline we'll continue to repeat mistakes and have our lives move in circles without any real progress.

The quality of patience means that we're able to keep our heads and exhibit the right attitude when we start feeling the pressure of running out of time.

Thirdly, perseverance allows us to continue to push through consistently and relentlessly until our lives begin to blossom how we've imagined it.

■ How to Handle Abundance

In the midst of bountiful it's very easy for pride to set in; this is the biggest pitfall of a man at the top.

Once we begin to see others as less significant, lazy, dumb or every other attribute we might want to associate their lack to, we set the tone for our own setback.

We become "too big" to grow, learn and improve; because we feel we "know it all and have it all", a satisfaction that locks us out of the desire for even more.

Here, we show those around us that none of them is "worthy" to advice or correct us and they respond accordingly by keeping their wise counsel to themselves rather than have us belittle them.

Another poor response to abundance is mismanagement and wastage.

The fact that we have more than enough doesn't mean we should disrespect those in lack, by disposing resources that would normally benefit them.

Being in abundance is a responsibility to share what we have with others as a way of appreciating God that has blessed us beyond measure.

In doing this, we play the role of "God's hands", extending his love to others through our kind acts.

Summary:

Having now seen how one small seed can be nurtured successfully into a fruitful tree and the ripple effect it can create to become a prosperous farm, we're made aware of our own significance.

In this we can exhibit a healthy sense of self love and self esteem because we see our value not just for what it is, but for what it can become through refining overtime.

The reason we're more is to be more for others; so take this responsibility seriously.

Master Apprentice

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