Inspiration

Some practical ways to build life’s abundance include:

Increase your willingness to give. A Course in Miracles teaches us, "Give a little more than you think you can, a little more than you feel comfortable with." The key here, is "a little more." Throughout each day we have numerous opportunities to give, and we grow in abundance as we act on those opportunities. Just a little stretch is all that’s required in order for us to experience a sense of true giving.

Keep your intentions pure. Remember that you are always the giver and receiver. Most people unconsciously give to get something in return: appreciation, recognition, payment, etc. Be willing to give to others in a way that you would want to be given to. Before you give, ask yourself, What am I doing this for?" If the answer is "Because I want to give, just to give, and I expect nothing in return," and you mean it, then trust that your intention is pure of heart.

Practice receiving with graciousness. So many times, we discount compliments or refuse to receive what another wants to give. Low self-worth convinces us we don’t deserve the compliment or gift, or distrust tells us that if we receive something, we’ll be obligated. It’s important to remember that you cannot truly give if you’re unwilling to receive, for they compliment each other like a hand and glove. All of us are connected with every living thing and our interdependence is the sacred web of life we exist within.

Give in those situations where you feel the most lack. In what area of your life do you feel the most scarcity? For some it’s money, recognition or approval, for others it’s time, and still for others it is love, affection or companionship. Determine where you feel the greatest lack then allow it to come fully into your awareness. These areas are your greatest opportunities for practicing abundance because the place you most need to give is the area in which you are feeling the most lack. The initial reaction, of course, is to grab on even harder and faster, but that will only take you further into the quicksand of emptiness. Ask Spirit for guidance, then be willing to give. The results are truly miraculous. As you begin giving in situations where you once felt lack, your giving will fill you up until there’s no more room for anything but a sense of completion and abundance. Be gentle with yourself and validate yourself for reaching out instead of pulling back.

Remember, your daily thoughts, feelings and actions are the "brushstrokes" that create the portrait of your entire life. They are the details that make up the whole. Are your brushstrokes leading you to a work of art that clearly represents your life? When you leave Earth, how do you want to be remembered? As a person who was genuine and authentic and gave with an open heart? As someone who dared to live life fully without reservation? Ask yourself if you’re willing to be remembered for: 1) Dared to have lived, or 2) Having lived in dread? "Dared" and "dread" have the same letters in it. Which one do you want to be remembered by?

Imagining it’s the end of your life and capturing a life’s portrait that supports how you want to be remembered is the first step. Observing your daily brushstrokes to see if they are congruent with your "ending" is second. Again, be gentle. The places where you are not congruent mean only that you have some fear.

You were born to live a life that creates and represents your own unique masterpiece. Life’s abundance is your birthright. As you gently practice giving from your heart, day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and moment-by-moment, you will one day look back with no regrets, but with a heart overflowing with love, appreciation and gratitude.

Author: Laura V. Hyde

Tags: appreciation, compliments, give, graciousness, gratitude, lif's abundance, masterpeice, pure of heart, receive, recognition