Simple
Abundance
“Today
I want you to become aware that you already possess all the inner wisdom,
strength, and creativity needed to make your dreams come true.”
Sarah
Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, Warner Books,
1995)
Sarah
Ban Breathnach defines “simple abundance” as "(1) an inner journey; (2) a
spiritual and practical course in creative living; (3) a tapestry of contentment.”
Living in a capitalistic society makes it hard to realize that most of us have everything we need. We are constantly assaulted by commercials for the latest
rendition of everything and told it is “trending” or it is the “latest hack,” and
encouraged to believe that it is a must-have for anybody and everybody. It is hard
to get past that green-screen of materialism to understand the difference
between a need and a want.
Our needs are very few—food,
clothing, shelter, love, self-esteem and to find purpose and meaning in our
lives. We need a pack to run with, a sense of belonging, and something that
inspires us. We need to feel safe and secure if we are to thrive. What we want,
but do not necessarily need, is everything else. A new wardrobe from a famous
designer, and one culled from a thrift store both fulfill the “clothing” need. We
may want the designer fashions, but we do not need them. We may want and I-phone
12, but that is not a need—there are plenty of other good phones. We may want a
flashy sportscar, but it is not a need. You see where I am going with this,
right. Sometimes we confuse wants and needs. To live with simple abundance, that
confusion needs to be sorted out.
To live a purposeful,
meaningful life, we already have everything we need but we must go inside to
find it. Intelligence, wisdom, joy, contentment, are all “inside jobs.” We must
become conscious of what we are drawn to and what we do well. Where and with
whom do you naturally gravitate? What and who gives you joy? What gives you a
sense of being of value to the people you care about? What fulfills your desire
to contribute to something greater than yourself? Go and do those things. They fulfill
a list of needs—for community, for purpose, for security, and for self-esteem. Security
comes from self-confidence and not from which brands you wear, or where you
shop. Amazon can sell you a “security system” no doubt, but feeling secure depends upon your ability to take care of yourself.
To live in simple
abundance is to live unencumbered by the excessive trappings of what our
culture calls “success.” A lavish lifestyle, and fancy clothes, are nice, but they
tie us down and drain us of money and energy. They occupy our minds and cause
us to worry that we might lose them. It is essential to take care of your real
needs, and great to have a little extra, but what our culture calls "an abundant
life” is not the same as simple abundance. Simple abundance is light-hearted
and joyful, gracious, and generous. It lifts our spirits, rather than burdening
our souls. And, the north star of simple abundance is sharing, hospitality,
welcoming the stranger, widening the circle--in other words, all the things that also make us
happy. It's a win, win, right?
In the Spirit,
Jane
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