Abundance in Our Friendships

Think about the times in your life when you’ve really needed your friends. I know for me they have rallied around in times of tragedy but they are also there to celebrate occasions big and small. I remember as a little girl in Brownies we would sing this song, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” I don’t think that there is ever a time when we can’t make room for a new friend. As we go through experiences together, they grow not only in value to your life but bring richness and abundance to all of its individual experiences. There are different friends I call upon at different times. Some come through when least expected. The kind of friends I treasure most are the ones where even if we have not spoken or seen each other in a long time, we can pick right up where we left off. Then there are the friends that are there everyday that we may sometimes take for granted. As I reflect on all of my friends I recognize the blessing in having many who understand me and are there for me at just the right times. They know when to step in and when to step back and let me figure things out on my own, always there to listen with openness and understanding when I’m ready to talk. Friends don’t only come through in the difficult times but are also there to make the going a little easier day in and day out.

Abundance: It’s Not Just About the Money

Most average, middle class people go through times in their lives when finances are really good and other times when finances are not so good. I remember thinking at one point when I was a stay-at-home mom and we were a one-income family that when my husband reached a certain level of pay, we would be financially set. That point came and we upgraded out lifestyle a bit but then there was the wanting for more – for the next financial milestone. On the other hand, we had friends who we know had a much lower income but who seemed so content with what they had. They, in fact, had more discretionary income because of choices they made. So abundance is not necessarily about income. To me it is more about the freedom to choose how to use our resources so that we achieve the goals we want and enjoy the abundant life.
To have financial abundance is all a matter of perspective. I ask myself on occasion if all my basic needs are met. Yes, they are. Then next question I ask myself is am I able to do some, if not all, of the things that come with having financial abundance. Again the answer is yes. If we can have every necessary need met and still be able to enjoy the extra or find a way to have the things we want – whether or not that takes money – is in fact enjoying a level of abundance. Wayne Dyer said it perfectly when he said, “Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.”