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The End of Scarcity

Submitted by on September 1, 2008 - 1:29 am

Dear Friends,

One of the things I see going on on the planet right now is a shift from a world of greed, lack and power battles to a world of co-creation, harmony and abundance for all. By “abundance for all” I don’t mean that everyone has a gold Mercedes, a second home and servants, but more importantly, that we rediscover our wholeness within– and from this place dynamically participate in the world, giving and receiving in harmony with all of life.

I believe it is happening and see it happening even though listening to the news seems to prove the opposite. I believe that the brighter we shine our lights, the more darkness we see.  Since it was there all along, it will not kill us, but is actually coming out as validation that we are ready to let go. Thank goodness!

I am currently inspired as I read the book The Soul of Money by Lynn Twist. She describes three “toxic myths of scarcity” that prevail in modern culture.  They are:  1: “There’s Not Enough”, 2: “More is Better” and 3). “That’s Just the Way It Is”.

Do these sound familiar at all? When I do readings and healings for people, no matter what their question, I often see these types of limitations. It doesn’t need to be about money; it can be about love, career, health, or whatever.

For example, I sometimes get a question like, “Should I do what my parents/ partner/ society wants and choose the lucrative career that I hate, or should I do what I want even though I can’t make any money at it?” Well who says there are only 2 choices?

Another one I’ve heard several times is: “Should I stay with the nice, boring man who loves me or go with someone passionate and unstable?” Well, there are so many people out there to love, and so many sides of each person, and lenses through which to see them. It is not like we can just bubble in a). or b). and be set for life. Everything is always changing.

When we get stuck thinking, “There’s Not Enough” and “That’s Just the Way It Is,” it’s easy to forget how many choices we have, how powerful we are, and how miraculous and complex life is.  What if there’s a lucrative path that is also fulfilling? What if that “boring” man is actually passionate? In order to discover these things, usually we have to first be open to the possibility.

While some people lack even basic healthcare, in wealthier cultures  “More Is Better” plays out as some people become addicted to normally helpful services and practices. They go to every type of healer: doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors and therapists, they take vitamins, obsess over diet, etc. until the pursuit of health becomes more stressful than the disease being “treated”.

Sometimes I see my yoga students trying to do the most advanced poses even if they are grunting and turning red in the face. But “more is better” isn’t it? If they believed they were already enough, deep down, wouldn’t it be ok if they just lay there for an hour without doing any pose at all?

Fundamentally I think these “myths” are lies we tell ourselves about ourselves, so no wonder they translate to our experience of all life. Are we afraid to see our inner wealth? Are we afraid that if we see and appreciate the abundance around us that doing so will somehow take away from what we have?  The funny thing is, if we really believed we had it we would not be afraid of it being taken away!

TRY THIS:

Ask yourself:

What stories do you tell yourself about how there isn’t enough? Is it “I don’t have enough time,” “I don’t make enough money,” “I’m not getting enough exercise, or sleep, or eating healthy enough,” “I’m not good-looking enough,” “I’m not qualified,” or “I’m not getting enough love or support”? Take a minute and think about it.

Ask yourself:

What are the effects in your life when you get stuck believing your “not enough” stories? Are you late? Do you cut people off in traffic? Are you impatient or mean to your loved ones? Do you get so stressed you get sick? Do you deprive the world of your gifts because of your illusion of self-lack? Are these effects worth it?

Repeat the above exercise for “More Is Better” and “That’s Just the Way It Is”.

Lastly, stand in front of a mirror; look right into your own eyes and say “I am enough” until you really believe it.  Practice daily if needed. Once you believe it, what would you like to give to the world? Go do it!

copyright 2008 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.