Abundance Everywhere

On this journey, I realized I had some bad beliefs and habits around money. I'm working on them now but they've held me back my entire life without my even knowing.

Here's my problem:

1. I've always considered myself to be simple and easygoing. I don't need much to be happy; I just go with the flow. I always saw this as a virtue and I still do believe there is good in this quality about me, but everything about this statement comes from a place of lack. I've pushed away wealth and abundance by not having a need for it. By believing that it's not necessary in my life, it has lowered my standards of living. I'm doing a lot of work to unwind those limiting beliefs today.
2. I have an early childhood memory of crying because I felt so bad that I had a toy I never played with. I felt wasteful and this is something that has stuck with me since then; that has fueled fundamental beliefs and habits. I use things until the very end; until they can no longer be used anymore. I wear things with holes in them, I hold onto broken objects, and so much more because I simply hate to throw things away. Again, I don't think this is a bad trait, but I can see how it's tricked my mind into a lower standard of living. A place that's aligned with lack rather than abundance.
3. I've never been good at accepting gifts or praise. Christmas time and birthdays were always awkward for me. I never wanted gifts because I felt like it was a debt owed rather than what actually was - a thoughtful gift. Praise is another that I've always struggled with. Maybe I didn't feel worthy, maybe I just felt I was doing my job or the right thing. As a result, I always pushed these things away from me. It took me until recently to realize I was actually pushing away all of the abundance in my life for so long.

I've lived my entire life from a perspective of lack. I didn't want things because I felt like I was taking from someone else. I didn't want to throw things away because I didn't want to be wasteful so I settled for something less. I've always been perfectly happy with used over new, less over more, lack over abundance.

No more!

There are several tools I've been using to break these limiting beliefs and habits - to replace them with healthier ones that come from a place of abundance.

1. I wrote down all of my limiting beliefs and habits (the old me) and replaced them with the new beliefs and habits I'm currently building. As I go through my day, I ask myself who is acting in the moment, the new or old me? I add these to a tracker as I go and it helps to build my awareness. Then, once a week, I review the list and mark them on a scale from 1 to 5 based on how well I'm implementing each in my day-to-day life.
2. I track the abundance that comes into my life. I have a note in Evernote titled Abundance is Everywhere. Whenever something comes into my life, I graciously accept it and add it to the list. I write down the date, the estimated value, and any details such as who gave it to me and how it came into my life. It ranges from a tax credit for $1,500 to free veggies from my neighbor's garden. By appreciating and drawing my awareness to all the abundance in my life, I realize it was always there, I just haven't been open and accepting to receiving it in the past.
3. I practice gratitude in my journal routine. I write down 3 things I'm grateful for every morning. Things I already have in my life. At night, I write down 3 more. Things I am grateful for in the future - written as though I already have them today. I always make it a point to have at least one of them specific to money. I am grateful I can afford to pay my daughters' daycare bills, for example.
4. I practice gratitude whenever I spend money. Sometimes I'll go as far as putting my credit card up to my lips and saying I am grateful that I have the money to afford this [whatever I'm about to purchase]. I spend my money on quality things, not the cheap stuff anymore. I don't take the money I have for granted, I appreciate every dollar I spend and trust that more will come.
5. I started reinforcing these habits by rewarding myself for hitting milestones. When I successfully implement a new habit, I buy myself something nice. I never used to buy myself anything - I'd even skimp on the necessities; I've always been a frugal person. So not only am I changing the habit of treating myself to higher quality things in life, but I'm using it to further condition my new healthy beliefs and habits : ) I write a lot so I got a fancy new pen that I absolutely love!
6. I practice a daily mantra several times a day that's focused on reconditioning my beliefs around money: I am one with the infinite riches of my subconscious mind. Money flows to me with ease, forever abundantly. Money is constantly circulating in my life. I release it with love and it returns to me multiplied in a marvelous way. I like money. I love it. Money is good. I use it to create good and spread joy in the world. I use it wisely, constructively, and judiciously. I am forever conscious of my true worth. I am a fountain of unlimited abundance within and I am grateful.
7. I'm building a healthier relationship with money. How I think about money, ask for money, and spend my money has completely changed. The way my wife and I talk about money has changed. The way I look at my bank accounts has changed. I have completely changed my perception of money.

Money isn't real. It's a measurement of value. A system for making the exchange of goods and services simple.

How we think about money changes our experience with it. I've spent my entire life operating from a place of lack due to beliefs and habits that were instilled in me long ago.

It takes work to break those limiting beliefs and create healthier habits. But I'm doing the work and I'm seeing the change. Abundance is everywhere and I am grateful!

Join me on this journey...

I am manifesting $1M working for myself this year. Follow the Manifest a Million Challenge every Sunday through Thursday night - a look at my progress, plans, and thoughts throughout it all.

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Here's to getting better and better every day!

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