Article By: Mike Wheeler

What is an abundant life? An abundant life is one where you attract and are surrounded by meaningful relationships, good health, wealth and especially Joy. Many people confuse abundance with merely meaning money or financial means. While money and finances are a very important part of an abundant life, they are not the most important part. An abundant life is far beyond money and material things. It is an immense feeling of joy and happiness. It is a meaningful intimate relationship. It is a healthy body that is in alignment with your spirit thus, creating a solid foundation so that the other two areas of your life may flourish.

The first step to living an abundant life is to be truly grateful. Be genuinely thankful for all that you have. Make a list each week of all of the things you are thankful for. They don’t have to be big things. Just write down all of the small things that you are thankful for. Go over your list often. Start focusing on the things that bring you a feeling of joy and gratitude. This will help to break any recurring negative thought patterns. You experience in life what you think about the most. Whatever you think about or thank about you will bring about in life.

The next step is to bring your body into alignment. An unhealthy body cannot find peace and joy within itself. An unhealthy body is the result of years of negative thinking. It is the selfish act of constantly telling yourself that, “I want it,” I want it now,” and “I deserve it.” Begin practicing honesty with yourself. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. You must begin daily by finding compelling reasons to be healthy. Perhaps, it is to live long enough to see your grandchildren graduate high school. Or maybe, it is to hang around long enough to play in the PGA or LPGA senior tour. Whatever your reason, you must have a compelling reason. Find your reason, the one reason that stirs your soul, and creates an inferno of passion inside of you. Begin each day by mentally feeling healthy and then continue your days engaging in healthy activities. Set your goals high and then exceed them! You will achieve the abundant health you desire in no time.

The last step is the most important. You must give to receive. If you truly want to experience abundance you must give away first, that which you wish to receive. If you do not believe this, then let’s try a little experiment. Spend ten or twenty minutes just walking around a public place such as a shopping mall. Count to yourself how many people smile at you as you walk by them. Then spend another twenty minutes walking around that same public place and smile at everyone you pass. As you do this, count to yourself how many smiles you get back. This is true for anything in life; especially with your finances. Where you spend your time and money is where your heart will be.

What is your heart focused on? Is it material items and instant gratification, or is it in helping others to have just a little of what you have been blessed with? You must be a good steward with your money doing a service to your fellow man whenever possible. When you break your chains with money you are truly free. It has no power over you. It becomes a tool which then may be used for the betterment of the human condition.

Abundant living isn’t just about the best life has to offer, it’s about dreams made real by the thoughts and ideas that you hold in your head each day. Take some time to explore these ideas while watching them become a reality of living in abundance and discover how amazing and prosperous your life can be!