Abundance

My dear friend,

How are you? I hope this letter finds you well. Me? I find myself thinking about abundance and how one decides if they are living in abundance or scarcity. Me? Oh, I believe I live in abundance but it isn’t always money. Lately I’ve been rich in the love and support of friends and family…full to overflowing actually. I’ve been overwhelmed with words of affirmation…I’ve been graced with gifts of books and cards and generosity of home and love and even monetary gifts…abundance!

In college I had a professor of anthropology, Linda Belote. To the best of my recollection, Dr. Belote told of her days in the Peace Corp and when she was sent to Peru. There she told us of two cultures…and one had a concept of “limited good”. I was fascinated as she told us how a group of people had developed a concept that there was only so much “good” in the world, in life, and that one had to “guard” that limited amount. So, mothers only showed love to the youngest child, in case the “good/love” ran out. Or, if I were sick and you were healthy, I would believe you had my “good”. Horrific and terribly tragic dynamics and behaviors were described.

I’ve never forgotten this. And, sadly, I’ve subsequently observed this in pockets of life and situations in work, families, and our culture. It was always tragic when I saw others thinking there was only so much of “good” and…guarding it? …hoarding it? Just making sure that the other person or group didn’t get it or it didn’t run out. Hostility to outright violence ensued.

I know there are those who suffer from having less of “good”. There is injustice. There is hate. There is suffering. But I’m not convinced this is a result of “limited good” but a perception of “limited good”.

Me? I operate from a belief that there is no limit to good…even wealth. I’ve experienced such unexpected generosity from others that I can’t believe in the limits of good. I operate from a belief that there is One that is the source of good and that one has Abundance. As a result, I’ve acted as if I’ve unlimited good…unlimited love…unlimited kindness…unlimited resources that I may or may not have in my bank account… I believe in unlimited good… I believe in Abundance. I live in abundance. And in that Abundance I find “sufficient” good for me…

How about you? Have you known “abundance” but haven’t been able to give it a name? I do hope so…or if you haven’t seen it, I hope you can find it today…or tomorrow.

Until we meet again, please take good care of yourself.

Joyfully,

Tivesse