“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – Jesus Christ (John 10:10)

 

If you’re wondering how to live life more abundantly; you are going to have to become a different person than you are now. You are going to have to start thinking differently, talking differently, and acting differently. There’s no way around it! The abundant life will only come to those who can see and feel the abundance that’s all around them, get into the flow of it, and then share that overflowing fullness with others.

Can you look around and name five examples of abundance surrounding you in this very moment? If not, you’ve got some work ahead of you, my friend! 🙁

When I do the exercise, I look to the sky and the first thing I think of is gratitude for the infinite abundance of oxygen that is all around us. It fills our lungs and blood with its life giving molecules that are vital to sustain life. Without them, we would surely die in less than five minutes.

There are so many examples of abundance in the natural world, that you must be truly enslaved by a scarcity mentality not to appreciate them:

• Simply look upwards to the starry night sky and into the vastness of space
• Stand upon the hot, immeasurable grains of sand at the beach
• Look out into the depths of the boundless blue ocean
• Ponder the fathomless drops of water that fall from the clouds
• Consider the trillions of individual cells that make up your body
• Watch the countless and gorgeous leaves fall from the trees each autumn

I could easily keep going, but will stop here with the examples…

People that have attained abundance in their lives no longer feel that they are lacking in anything. They know that whatever they need will come to them, and they are grateful for it in advance.

It was the Chinese scholar, Laozi (Lao Tzu) who said; “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

This sense of gratitude and contentment is the first and most important step to abundant living. If you develop this internal feeling of superfluity, you’ll soon come to realize that abundance is our natural state of being. It’s only the human mind’s delusion of scarcity that has warped your senses and pulled the veil over your eyes.

Remember, your perception becomes your reality! So please make sure you are seeing the world as it truly is… instead of how you believe it to be. With that being said, here are 10 practical things you must become in order to live life more abundantly.

1. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Believer

Our beliefs create our reality moment by moment. In order for you to become anything in this world… you must first believe it is possible!

You cannot achieve anything that’s not consistent with the self-image you hold of yourself. Deep within the recesses of your subconscious mind lies a mental picture of who you believe yourself to be. This image of your self has been formed over time by every thought, experience, and interaction you’ve had throughout your lifetime. Especially the critical ones during your early child-hood (from birth to age seven) when your subconscious mind, and personality were still developing.

If you don’t believe you can move beyond poverty, or mediocrity then you’ll be trapped there by the limitations of your own mind and beliefs. Even if you truly desire abundance, these negative beliefs can hold you back, and cause fears, doubts, and (in)actions that sabotage your efforts to succeed in life. You must believe that the abundant life is possible for you, and that you deserve to experience all of the great things that life has to offer. Become a Believer now!

2. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Student

Wealth, like Life, is a continual process of learning, growing, and evolving; choose to become a student of life and money will flow to you effortlessly!

As Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest people on the planet, has explained; “The more you learn, the more you earn.” The secret to acquiring financial abundance is to add as much value as possible to the lives of as many people as possible. The more value you add to others, the more they’ll be willing to offer reciprocity by paying you for your products, and services.

Why do actors, musicians, and athletes make SO much money? Because most people are bored to death, and place a high value on entertainment (whether for better or worse). Make it your goal to learn about people, and what they find valuable! How can you help other people to get what they want? What problem(s) do people have that you can provide the solutions to?

Become a seeker of knowledge, and share what you learn with others. Never take for granted that what comes easily to you may be a struggle to someone else. People are willing to pay you for your wisdom if it can save them time and money. Become a Student now!

3. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Meditator

Only when our minds are still can we realize the true beauty and purpose of our lives…through meditation you will unleash your inner abundance!

In order to tap into the endless river of life’s abundance, you must take back control of your mind through meditation. Regular meditation practice allows you to disconnect from the stimuli of the external world by going within; calming the mind, body, and spirit in the process. In this state of relaxed, yet alert presence… one is reconnecting to the source of infinite abundance that is the eternal flow of pure consciousness itself.

This all-encompassing field of intelligence is who you really are beyond space, time, and the limitations of form. It is the essence of the universe, matter, and all living things. It is the breath of life itself, and the very thread that weaves the fabric of our existence together.

It’s through the silence of meditation that the voice of All (God, Consciousness, Tao, etc.) may be heard. An abundance of blessings will come to you in the form of ideas, insights, and inspiration to help you walk the path towards your ultimate potential. As Swami Sivananda said, “Meditation is painful in the beginning, but it bestows immortal Bliss and supreme joy in the end.” Become a Meditator now!

4. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Health Freak

Our health is our greatest wealth; Nourish and revitalize your body, mind, and spirit through regular exercise and fresh, organic foods!

What’s the point of trying to live life more abundantly if you are too sick, lethargic, and unhealthy to enjoy the fruits of your labor? For many of us, our health care is nothing but an after thought… until it’s lost, that is. Then, when we realize the error of our ways, we’ll trade everything that we’ve acquired to gain it back. Learn from the mistakes of others who’ve foolishly squandered their health, and have suffered for it.

The human being requires sustenance in order to keep functioning at an optimum level of performance. We need our mind clear, focused, and razor sharp. We need our body strong, mobile, and agile. Free from the disease, affliction, and pain that can derail our efforts towards a better, and more abundant lifestyle.

Nourish your body with the clean, fresh air, water, sunshine, organic whole foods, juices, and vital nutrients its cells need to thrive and flourish. Make sure to include plenty of movement, and exercise to stimulate your muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. Get plenty of rest, and high quality sleep. Become a Health Freak now!

5. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Giver

What we want most for ourselves, we first need to give to others. As we give our money, time, and attention in service of humanity we shall receive them back in abundance!

We’ve often been told that “it’s better to give than to receive”, but do you know why? It’s because one cannot give freely, unless one is coming from a place of abundance. You cannot give what you do not have, and so to give is (by deductive reasoning) to have. The interesting twist to this paradoxical principle is revealed further by St. Francis of Assisi when he proclaimed; “For it is in giving, that we receive.”

Let that sink in for a moment! Now take a good look at your life, and make a mental note of any area where you feel like you’re experiencing lack, or the illusion of scarcity. Is there something missing in your life; wealth, health, friends, love, peace, happiness, fun, etc.?

If so, spend some considerable time, and effort to think up a plan for how you can give that (whatever is missing) to another person. The more you give, the more you’ll have in abundance. Become a Giver now!

6. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Saver

It doesn’t matter how much money you make, it’s how much you keep and for how many successive generations. Make it your mission to always pay yourself first!

In Everyday Enlightenment, one of my favorite books by Dan Millman, he paraphrases a speech by Ram Dass; ‘Rain may pour down from the heavens, but if you only hold up a thimble, a thimbleful is all you receive.‘ Likewise, millions of dollars may flow through your fingers throughout your working career. Yet, if you never save any of it; how will you ever amass financial abundance?

The quickest and easiest way to become a saver is to set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to a high-yield online savings bank. Once established, the funds will automatically start accumulating every month without you having to lift a finger (or even noticing). Soon you’ll have a nice stash of cash as an emergency and/or opportunity fund.

Once you save up enough money, you can then start moving some of that money into more profitable investment strategies. After you reach a certain tipping point, your wealth will begin to exponentially multiply, and grow over time. You will have achieved financial freedom. Become a Saver now!

7. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Homeowner

Owning your own home is a big part of living the Dream. Stop throwing away money on rent and buy your way to wealth! It’s easier than you think!

The reality of life is that we must have shelter to keep us safe, and protect us from the harsh elements of nature. Owning land, and a home of their own has been the common dream of many people throughout history. Whether you decide to rent, or buy your own home is largely dependent on your personal lifestyle, commitments, and overall desires, and preferences.

However, I’d like to make the case that becoming a homeowner is one of the key steps to living a more abundant life. When you own your own home you gain control over your own living space, gain equity, and have an investment vehicle that you can use to make potential profits. You can even generate cash flow, by renting your home out to others; essentially having them pay off the loan for you!

Think of owning your own home as the first gateway towards becoming a Real Estate Investor. At some point you may decide to get into rental properties, flip houses, or even build your own apartment complexes. We all know that millions, and billions of dollars are made every year through real estate. Become a Homeowner now!

8. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become an Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneurial Spirit is the force that drives democracy and capitalism to greatness. Become an Entrepreneur by starting and building enlightened businesses!

We’ve all heard it before: “Go to school, get good grades, and then you’ll be able to find a great job”. Yay! (I hope you could feel the sarcasm.) If you choose to follow this advice, and become an employee – you’ll trade your most precious hours for dimes helping someone else to build their dream. Yet, if you choose instead, to become an entrepreneur – you’ll spend the rest of your days making sure your most grandest dreams come true!

When you’re an employee, you’re basically trading your time, and effort for a paycheck. Yet, if you become a smart entrepreneur, you can set up automated systems that work on your behalf. You can essentially create multiple streams of passive income that generate wealth while you sleep!

Yet, don’t let the greed go to your head, like so many of these corporate conglomerates whose only concern is profit at all cost. They make their wealth by exploiting their consumers, and destroying the environment in the process. We need a paradigm shift in our capitalistic society towards creating enlightened businesses.

These types of “enlightened businesses” seek to create products and services that benefit the planet, animals, and the people that use them. They seek to create, and share their abundance with others. Become an Entrepreneur now!

9. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become an Investor

Investing your money in continued education, the stock market, and other profitable investment strategies is a wonderful way to multiply your wealth while stimulating economic growth!

Investing is a subject that, at first, seems mind numbingly boring and complex. However, it can be simplified with the right strategy. When I first started working in the financial industry my company gave me (and all of our clients) a book called; “Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth” , by Nick Murray. This book gives you the big picture overview of how to invest in equity mutual funds, also known as index funds.

The basic premise is to invest 10% or more of your income into a globally diversified portfolio of low cost, index funds that seek to capture the return of the market. Set up an automated annual rebalance to restore your portfolio back to your ideal asset allocation – at least once each year. Then just keep investing through all of the ups and downs of the market over your lifetime, and NEVER, EVER SELL!

To get started, go to Vanguard’s Website, and open a Roth, or Traditional IRA. You’ll definitely need to do a little research to determine your ideal asset allocation. However, once you get things set up, you’ll be on your way to capitalizing on the miracle of compounding interest. Become an Investor now!

10. To Live Life More Abundantly You Must Become a Mentor

Our world is in desperate need of enlightened leaders to come forth, and guide each, and every one of us to abundance, and excellence. By teaching others how to succeed you open the door to a new world of abundance, and prosperity!

Remember that the best way to receive something is to first give it to another. By becoming a mentor you’ll be sharing your wisdom, and insights with someone who desperately needs them. This process will not only help that person to grow, and reach their ultimate potential… it will symbiotically help you to do the same!

As you teach others, your skills, knowledge, and capacity will simultaneously evolve, and expand beyond your wildest imagination. You’ll be forced to become a positive role-model, someone who leads from the front, and by the example of practicing what they preach.

By being a mentor you’ll become a better, more effective leader. As Mahatma Gandhi said; “A sign of a Good Leader is not how many followers you have, but how many Leaders you create.” As a mentor you have the ability to help create other leaders, who can then multiply your influence, and impact on the world through their own good deeds. Become a Mentor now!

Bonus Tip: Become the Source of Infinite Abundance

“The source of abundance is not outside you. It is part of who you are.” – Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle, is one of my favorite spiritual mentors. His teachings have had a major impact on my life. In his book, A New Earth, he has passage on abundance that explains this concept eloquently. I had to share it with you, and I highly recommend that you read his book:

“Who you think you are is intimately connected with how you see yourself treated by others. Many people complain that others do not treat them well enough. When people are kind they suspect hidden motives. Who they think they are is a needy person whose needs are not being met. This basic misperception creates dysfunction in all their relationships. They believe they have nothing to give and that the world and other people are withholding from them what they need. If the thought of lack –whether it is money, recognition, love – has become part of who you think you are, you will always experience lack.

Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation for all abundance. The fact is: Whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you are withholding from the world. You are withholding it because deep down you think you are small and that you have nothing to give.

Try this: Whatever you think people are withholding from you – give it to them. You don’t have it? Just act as if you have it and it will come. Soon after you start giving, you will start receiving. You cannot receive what you don’t give. Outflow determines inflow. Whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you already have, but unless you allow it to flow out, you won’t even know you have it. This includes abundance.

The source of abundance is not outside you. It is part of who you are. Abundance comes only to those who already have it. It is a universal law. Both abundance and scarcity are inner states that manifest as your reality.”

In Conclusion: Go Live Life More Abundantly

To tap into the flow of abundance, you must awaken to the intimate connection you share with all things. We all come from the same source of infinite abundance that is the evolving universe. Everything we have in our lives is given to us through this “source”, and shall eventually return to that source.

Be grateful for what you have, as you never know how much longer it will remain in your life. Eventually, everything that you’ve been given, will be taken away from you. It is only temporarily yours, and every thing follows this universal law of impermanence.

Abundance is an outward flow of energy that creates a vacuum. This emptiness makes space for an influx of energy to then take its place. By giving you shall receive, and in the receiving… you shall have even more to give. It is a perpetual cycle.

Keep the flow going by sharing your gifts, talents, and blessings with as many people as you can. If you do this, abundance will fill your heart until it’s over flowing with love, and appreciation for all living things.

Unleash Your Ultimate Potential,

Brandon Cook