Gratitude & Abundance: Unlocking Spiritual and Material Wealth
For most of my life, I lacked gratitude for what I had.
I was stuck in a scarcity mindset and didn't even know it. I constantly felt dread because my ideal life didn't match my reality. I was living in a constant state of desperation. I badly wanted the money, opportunities, and my version of the American dream. It seemed that no matter what I did, I always lacked.
When I first read The Secret, it opened my eyes to gratitude and an abundant mindset.
Over the years, I've done the work to implement gratitude daily, and adopt an abundant mindset.
I didn't notice any changes immediately, but looking back, I see that many of the things I wanted and the lifestyle I envisioned were either fully formed or on their way.
For example, in high school, I only wanted an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. Today, I have both, and I often forget how badly I wanted them. I manifested this desire for myself.
Over a year ago, I decided I didn't want to work a 9-5.
I was tired working for someone and making their dreams come true while never making enough to survive.
I didn't know how to pull it off then, but I knew it would work out for the best. And it did. I now have the freedom to make my own schedule, learn whatever I want, and write because I enjoy the process and not because I had to to survive.
My life isn't perfect.
Still, I am deeply grateful for what I have and the opportunity I've been given to follow my dreams.
And this all started with The Secret.
One benefit of a gratitude-focused mindset is that I feel more peaceful. I'm no longer desperate for specific outcomes. I go with the flow, working to continue building the life I have always wanted: the freedom to do what I want, when, how, and with whom I want.
Today, I want to share some of my insights with you. How gratitude can help you spiritually, and an abundant mindset can help you with material wealth.
Understanding Gratitude and Abundance
Gratitude is an appreciation for what's present in your life.
It could be as simple as having the things you dreamed of years ago, to being grateful for a new day. It could also be as unassuming as appreciating a stranger's smile while minding your business.
On the other hand, abundance is a sense of sufficiency.
That what you have is enough.
This also has the added benefit of putting you in abundance versus scarcity. There is enough opportunity in the world for you to win without causing someone else to lose. You are fully capable of pursuing and fulfilling your dreams.
It starts with an appreciation of what you have. I'm not talking superficially, I'm talking deep and sincere appreciation for what you have in your life.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Research, such as that from NCBI, highlights gratitude's association with enhanced well-being.
It also showed benefits like increased life satisfaction and better quality sleep.
When we are deeply grateful, it's suggested that gratitude inherently involves perceiving one's life as rich in positive aspects.
While it is easy to think that our lives are filled with more negative aspects, focusing on the good will change your entire perspective. Eighty percent of life is about how you choose to see it.
And when you make that shift, everything before you starts to improve.
It's even stated that grateful people report 25% higher happiness levels on average.
Knowing that happiness comes from within, gratitude seems to be the key to unlocking it from within.
Spiritual Abundance Through Gratitude
Being grateful for what you have fosters inner peace and deeper connections.
What I have found is the material world can be distracting.
While some aim to keep up with the Joneses, those who focus on what they have aren't bogged down by society's standards. I often feel that just because a bunch of people agree on a matter doesn't mean they're right.
You must be willing to define happiness for yourself and step away from society, if only to reassess your life and whether it meets your standards. Not someone else's.
This is your life, and no one should have a say. Especially, if they're not paying your bills and keeping you fed.
Spiritually, gratitude has opened a whole world of possibilities for me. I have more faith that things will work out for the best and that a divine force will guide my actions because I am enough.
I practice mindfulness because I believe our thoughts and actions shape our lives. This practice involves paying attention to how I speak about myself and what I think in general.
I'm not going to pretend that this change happened overnight. In reality, it took years of trial and error to find the right balance.
One of my favorite quotes is, "gratitude turns what we have into enough."
When you're not constantly chasing what could be, you begin to attract what is already meant for you.
Material Abundance: Indirect Pathways
Gratitude improves your decision-making and workplace success, indirectly leading to financial benefits.
Think about it. If you're not constantly chasing what could, you make way for what is. What is, are the things that are already meant for you. In any case, what is, is far better than what could be.
Gratitude gives you an indirect path to fulfillment.
Because you have an abundant mindset, when scarcity is nowhere to be found, the universe wants to give you the things you desire.
I often say that success isn't linear. It doesn't follow a straight line. There will be many ups and downs on your way to the life you have always dreamed of.
But to get there you have to be grateful for what you have.
You have to trust that everything is going to work out.
When you constantly complain about your job, you will reap what you sow. You may be overlooked for promotions, and your pay could stagnate. So many negative things can take flight if you forget to be grateful for what you have.
Since nothing is promised forever.
Overcoming Lack and Dissatisfaction
It's human nature to want more.
However, when you practice gratitude you're automatically reframing challenges into opportunities.
When faced with lack and dissatisfaction, try writing down three things you are thankful for daily. Pause and look at your life from ten years ago to today.
You will undoubtedly find things in your life you didn't have before, and those are worth being grateful for.
It took me several years to naturally lean into gratitude. Like anything, it requires daily focus. The sooner you start, the sooner you will reap its benefits.
Quick Recap: Unlocking Spiritual and Material Wealth
Gratitude is an appreciation for what's present in your life.
Abundance is a sense of sufficiency.
Research highlights gratitude's association with enhanced well-being, increased life satisfaction and better quality sleep.
Being grateful for what you have fosters inner peace and deeper connections.
Being that success is not linear, gratitude can indirectly lead you to success.
If you're struggling with lack and dissatisfaction, try writing down three things you are grateful for daily.
Start tonight—write three things you’re grateful for and watch what shifts by next week.
It’s important to not limit the blessings that are possible in the future while being aware of all the blessings we have right now in this moment. No matter how we see our lives, there will always be someone out there who would be grateful for our life today. Having the ability to read this newsletter is a blessing. Being able to share ideas with people we care for is a blessing. It all starts with gratitude. When we are grateful for what we have, we will end up having much more. A very important and powerful read Idris!
When I was little my mom used to have me watch the sunset with her every night. We would reflect on one good thing that happened during the day that we were grateful for. I learned from a young age that little things like a sunset are actually the big things. I now do the same tradition with my own daughter and get to relive the wonder of a sunset through her eyes. Thank you so much for discussing the importance of gratitude Idris Elijah…It truly can lead to so much success in our lives!