Abundance Versus Scarcity. A response to Wall Street 2008

[mbali- 29Gifts Spiritual Advisor]

Sawubona
I am left unsurprised by the recent events on Wall Street. 2008 in the Dagara West African tradition is a year of change and transformation. Look at what has already occurred in the USA. It may trigger us to go into the fear of scarcity, of which an aspect is hoarding. I find that when I reverse that fear and turn it back out into the world by giving even more, it comes back, not always in what I want but more in what I need. I work with homeless people, and when I ask them how they are I RARELY hear them complain. I often hear, "I am blessed." It is a constant teaching to me that when we have truly let go of everything, we have little left to lose.
Go well
Mbali

[Castle Carver]

My husband and I were just having a conversation about this. We are not rich... And often do not have the luxuries that we want. But we do have a home that is paid for... A vehicle that is paid for... And very little debt. Our family is not hungry or cold. We decided that we are blessed.

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

I am so blessed. I have a fabulous husband who always does the dishes and takes out the trash without me ever having to ask. I have two kitties I love dearly. There is food in my fridge, a roof over my head and enough money to pay my rent when it's due in four days. I have wonderful, supportive parents, sisters and a large tight-knit extended family. I am writing a book that will be published by a New York publisher I respect -- fulfilling a life-long dream of mine. And I have all of you wonderful people here who are helping carry the 29 Gifts message and revive the giving spirit in the world.

Thanks Mbali for posting this. You're right... it is very easy to flip into scarcity thinking when major world events like the recent US financial institution crashes get splashed into EVERY headline and spread fear-based thinking.

I actually see the collapse of these institutions as progress--though I certainly feel sad for the many people who have seen their personal fortunes impacted. I think this is further evidence that the traditional corporate model just isn't sustainable in the current world climate. I predict we will see more and more large institutions that have wielded large amounts of power on a national and global scale crumble. This will set many brilliant people free from jobs to pursue their REAL dreams and we will see a huge surge of amazing entrepreneurial ventures appear in the world that are based on new thinking and more sustainable business practices. The established companies that grow and thrive through the shake out are the ones who choose to change and adapt more sustainable models... which will make life better for everyone who decides to continue working in the corporate environment.

As my good friend and artist, Sabrina-Ward Harrison said to me the other day -- we will now see more and more people choosing to MAKE a job instead of TAKE a job.

[sharon]

Sabrina gets the Quote of the day award!
-s

[kai charles]

I've been dealing with this also. I've been noticing that the finances I need are coming at what I would consider "last minute" I honestly thought I would have to use overdraft protection to pay my rent this month but events are happening right know that will allow me to pay my rent in full on the first. I really want more "security" but I feel the lesson is that my needs are being met and the more i surrender into this I have many "miracles" every week, new clients money coming from sources I didn't even know existed. I am truly blessed and am working to not factoring in what the media sources are calling a recession.

[Erin - 29Gifts Community Manager]

I had the occasion to visit an organization a few weeks ago that provides groceries for the needy. I actually was the needy, asking for groceries. When I got there, I was in the dumps about having so little, and having to ask for help. When we got into the building there were about 50 people sitting at tables, praying over lunch. After prayer, they started talking and chatting and they were a happy lively bunch... not a sad face in the bunch. I was surprised to realize that these were the local homeless. I overheard several of them saying how lucky/blessed they felt...

[Vicki]

Very insightful observation

[Lyz]

I have a roof over my head, I am healthy, I have support, I have a great family and friends, I have the internet...I am breathing...I am blessed...

[Amber]

I just shared an email with my Mom discussing something so similar! A cousin of mine has recently went through same major issues in her life & her & her 10 year old son were basically left with no place to live. Luckily she found an apartment after 3 days & was able to move in asap. Unfortunately all of their things (bed, dishes, microwave, tv, etc.) were at a house that she was unable to get them from. My Mom (her Aunt) found out & has since rounded up a futon, bed, dresser, TV, microwave, & is giving her DVD player to the 10 year old boy. My Mom said what was ironic about it all was that she received all of these things from people that seemed to have the least. They didn't want any money for them but of course my Mom gave them some anyway. It's just so ironic to me that so often, like she said, the people that have the least are sometimes the most willing to give & help out. & what you said is so true, I keep finding when I have the least, yet continue to give, it does always end up coming back around to me but not always in the form I was expecting, yet is almost always what I needed.
Thanks for sharing your story!

[Cindy]

I believe that it is the fear of scarcity that is driving so much of our national discussion right now. Very few people take the time to examine this fear.

So, it seems to me, they BELIEVE in scarcity.

To challenge this "belief" and name it fear takes a lot of courage. It is a core belief - one of those things you stand on, no matter what is going on.

The philosophies of "scarcity" and "abundance" go far beyond our material goods, our comforts and our situations. It is how one views the world. If you have been raised in the culture of America, and never sat in the pain and isolation of solitude to come out the other side, then I think a person gets plugged into fear and scarcity. "There is just not enough" becomes the mantra. Even when they don't know what it is that there is not enough of!

But if a person seeks - through solitude, through conscious connection and through GIVING - I think one realizes that we are truly part of an infinite abundance. We are just part of this great big world - filled to the brim and beyond with everything we need. THAT can become a core belief. And our personal, particular situation at any given time just becomes a snapshot, a photograph, an opportunity for memory. It is not "real" in the sense that our culture wants to scare us into believing.

For me, a suburban white woman in America, never pushed to the edge of anything it is a profound change of vision. And as I enter into my older years I tend to see the enormous heaps of support, of love, of opportunity that are available to me. I missed them when I was younger. But I'm lucky - I lived long enough to truly see.

[Marya]

Beautifully said!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Also... a note to anyone who doesn't know Mbali -- who started this string. She is the medicine woman who originally gave me the "29 Gifts Prescription" and inspired me to start this movement. She's very wise. Listen to her when she speaks. If you're interestes in how 29Gifts came about, watch this story from former CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.

[Marya]

I have been thinking, and writing, a lot about this as well. I am also making it a conscious choice not to watch the news. I don't feel ignorant, I just don't feed the fear monster by listening to people talk about how bad they think everything is. There is enough, in fact there is more than enough, of everything I (and we) need - food, money, time, love. Many people are still succeeding and happy and thriving right now, despite the way it may seem at times. We need to focus on the positive, what it is we do want. Instead of fear and scarcity, I will choose to focus on love and giving and helping and supporting and abundance - who's with me?