We are anxious. We worry. We think. We think some more. It’s exhausting. To stop the madness, we need a pattern interrupt. But how can we replace our anxious thoughts so that we can be more present, less uptight, and less fearful? We need a pivot in our thinking; a small change that can affect our daily lives in a big way.
Enter abundance.
Adopting the belief that there is more than enough for all of us to give and to receive in the world often helps us to get off of the hamster wheel of anxiety and dive into the abundant stream of life. What is abundance?
Abundance is about more than possessions and wealth. Abundance is about our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. It is about the communities we belong to, our careers, and lastly our finances. The Webster Dictionary defines it as, “the condition of being in rich supply.” Deepak Chopra says, “Abundance is when you experience joy, health, happiness, a sense of purpose and vitality.”
Alleviating anxiety can be achieved by living an abundant life. It takes practice and dedication to live abundantly. Here are four things you can do today, to plant seeds of abundance to stop anxiety.
- Practice gratitude: Write down 5 – 10 things daily that you are grateful for. This will change your mindset and help you to look for the good and to notice abundance. Take note of what needs in your life the items on your list are fulfilling. Are they emotional, physical, or spiritual? Does it have to do with your career, community, or finances? When you practice noticing it will help you to be mindful of how much you already have, therefore alleviating some of the fears that cause anxiety.
- Write a note of thanks: There are people in your life who have helped you get to where you are today. Even if at this very moment, this isn’t a place that you consider a high point, you have learned lessons along the way. Who has helped you? Inspired you? Taught you? Write them a thank you note and be specific about what you are thanking them for. Saying thank you is an act of humility. When you act in humility, you empty yourself of ego and make room for all the good there is to receive.
- Be mindful: When you walk around with your thoughts churning and expecting the negative to happen, you miss out on the present. There is abundance all around you. Look up from your cell phone. Make eye contact with others. Smile. Connect. Notice the world around you. Enjoy and use your senses. When we are open to the world, the world opens before us and offers us its beauty. Go out in the morning expecting the good.
- Perform a random act of kindness: When we are at our upper limit and feeling done, a quick way to recharge is to do something for someone else that isn’t expected. It changes the current in your life and the life of someone else and adds goodness and abundance in the world.
An anxious mind is nothing more than a bad habit that can be replaced. In the beginning, it may feel uncomfortable to let the old way of living go. But with time and practice, you can learn a new way to live. May it be abundant!
