Abundance Thinking

 

I recently attended a leadership meeting were we discussed what Abundance Thinking meant to us. In education there is always a discussion of needing "more". More resources, more people, more money, more time, more support, more, more, more!!! However, sometimes there is not a focus on gratitude, or innovative thinking for what is already right in front of us. Don't get me wrong, there are many schools and district that truly do not have equitable resources compared to others. Students and teachers deserve equitable support, in the form of quality educators, updated and rigorous curriculum and learning environments that are safe and engaging. Teachers and staff also deserve livable wages where they don't need to have second jobs or worrying about supporting their families. Those basic needs and supports are essential. However, even in affluent school districts, there are scarcity mindsets instead of abundance thinking. 

During my discussion with colleagues during this meeting, I acknowledged the need for adequate and equitable resources, however we also need to have gratitude for the abundance that we have in regards to the exceptional skills of our staff, forward thinking administration that adjust resources and funds to ensure all students have what they need to be successful and innovative and fiscally responsible board that listens to the needs of staff and families intently and honestly. I reiterated my previous experiences that did not have these attributes, and there was a very real struggle in advocating for basic instructional resources, research based practices and school health and safety measures that were no where near evident to what we currently have. 

Even with those challenges, I utilized abundance thinking by having immense gratitude for my staff and showing them my appreciation regularly though celebrations, gifts and creative opportunities to give them extra time or take responsibilities off their plate. Instead of wallowing in what we didn't have, we were innovative in fundraising for building needs, creating our own learning through book studies and outside organizations interested in sharing with us for free and involving families in dynamic events that supported our community as well as individuals. 

I am so very grateful for the opportunities, resources, staff, support, school building and families that I currently work for. Of course there are things that I would like to adjust, enhance or change, but within my abundance thinking I feel empowered to share ideas and make modifications. I'm able to go with the flow, by trusting key colleagues and staff members that have the best interest of the student in mind. I'm able to adapt to the needs of my students or initiatives that are being presented without fear, inflexibility or self-doubt.  

In true abundance thinking, you recognize and appreciate what you already have as a success—something that can be elevated to new possibilities—while regularly expressing gratitude for the prosperity it has brought you.

Abundance Mindset is a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and success to share with others. It is contrasted with the Scarcity Mindset, which is founded on the idea that , when you have scarcity thinking, you have a hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people. You have a need for MORE to live a happy and fulfilled life. It is living for the future and not the present moment. This mindset can be driven by fear and anxiety. It impedes one to feel hopeful or to envision a life full of possibilities. In relationships, a scarcity mindset may make you feel like you need someone or others things to complete you.  Arawme

The Niyama's describe Santosh, which is a focus on contentment and inner happiness. Having an abundance mindset can directly tap into Santosh. Several ways that you can practice Santosh or an Abundance Mindset is: Embracing Acts of Gratitude, Give from the Heart, Stop Chasing Status, Pursue a Wealth of Wellness, Celebrate Others and Say No - Abundantly. 

Embrace Acts of Gratitude: While practicing gratitude for the things, people and events in your life, your joy for those things will increase. This builds the foundation for the abundance mindset, because it allows you to already recognize what you have inside and outside of yourself as ENOUGH. A note of caution in understanding of gratitude, does not mean you have to pretend that everything is perfect in your life, or that you should feel guilty for what you perceive is more or different from others. 

Give from the Heart: Find ways to give that are meaningful to you. We all have something to give with generosity. It may not be money or material things, but hording onto more than we need is scarcity thinking. Time is very important to me and when others have given their time to assist me, it made me feel loved and cared for. Time is what I try to give to others. Giving of my time by volunteering with Girls on the Run, NAMI or taking extra time with my children or family. I may not have all the money or goods to give away, but I can organize my time to show someone that I care. 

Stop Chasing Status: In the world of social media, receiving accolades or likes seems to be the most important. Several people believe that if they don't get a certain number of subscribers or likes then what they did was not successful. We need to think about the purpose of what we are doing. Are you taking more classes to enrich yourself or for doing what society thinks you should do? Are you taking the next big promotion for more money or to support your family more? However, when we focus on status then it inherently inhibits a scarcity mindset, because then someone else needs to be less than for you to be more. I write this blog as a journal for myself, if you read it and connect in some way, excellent!! If you "like" it or comment, great - but if you don't that is OK too :)

Pursue a Wealth of Wellness: Wellness should be considered the wealth that we are working towards for longevity of life and happiness. Like the famous Beatles song - Can't Buy Me Love money can't be the sole indicator of success in life. When we focus on wellness of body then we can generate wealth within ourselves. You can have all the money in the world, but not have functional mobility, health issues, or constant illness. Then what is the point in living, if you can't enjoy the world around you. You may have a different area of wealth that you want to pursue; focusing on what success feels like in your life, as opposed to how it looks from the outside, you give yourself permission to stop playing scarcity-based status games. 

Celebrate Others:  But in a world where we're taught to compete, celebrating when other people win, can feel like a breath of fresh air. Especially as women, we need to celebrate others advancements, successes and triumphs even if it may be not on our own personal path or one that we think is "best". I love getting to see previous colleagues grow into their leadership, pursue other career opportunities that can be risky or when they make lifestyle changes that support their family or personal health. If someone is excited about a change or something new, support them, give them time to talk about it, and celebrate their wins. You may just get the same karmic love come back at you, when it is your turn to take a risk. 

Say No, Abundantly:  There are times that we say "NO" to ourselves from a place of deprivation. "No, I can't eat that", "No, I don't have time for this", "No, I not skinny enough to wear that" - so on and so on. These denials turn abundance into scarcity, by making us feel limited and constrained. However, it is important to understand how empowering saying "NO" to people, activities, purchases or food can be in pursuit of your goals. It is important to think of the "NO" in terms of abundance. People that drain us or that bring us down can be told "NO", we don't have to interact with them or we can limit our interactions in a professional or cordial way. Activities that do not bring us joy, we can say "No" to. It's OK to let friends, family members or colleagues know that a specific activity is not your jam. You can still enjoy being with those people, and they can still attend without you, but you are going to pass for that day. Saying "NO" to specific foods can bring comments of wonder from others around you, but if you have a goal of health and wellness or if you are learning what foods challenge your body with inflammation or allergens then you can easily explain to others your choices. Also, experimenting with new recipes that you can include in events with friends and family can only enhance their understanding of your choices and allow you to say "YES" to healthier choices.  One of the areas that I'm working on is saying "NO" to purchases. I love shopping for clothes or things for my school. It does bring me joy wearing new clothes and getting positive comments from others, but then I have regret due to a lack of funds in my checkbook. I need to work on this area of abundance and get creative with the clothes that I have by wearing them in different styles or not making full price purchases and exploring thrifting. 

Each day we can choose to live an abundance mindset or a scarcity mindset. Santosha refers to joy and happiness that cannot be shaken despite external events. It is about accepting life and life situations as what they are, and knowing that no matter what you can cultivate safety and happiness within yourself. Life will not be perfect, but ultimately you have control over how you feel and how you react towards others.