Walking Away from Survival Mode: Prosperity and Abundance
This month’s theme is speaking to the three P’s of transformation: peace, prosperity, and purpose. Last week we dove into peace—inner peace and the arch-enemy of peace, survival mode. This week, let’s dive into prosperity. What is it? Is it really what you want? Are you aspiring to the right aspects of prosperity? How does it feel to live with a poverty mindset and lifestyle? How can you shift from poverty mode to prosperity and abundance?
While all cultures and ethnicities have pockets of people who live in poverty, those from minority communities statistically and historically have greater numbers of women, children, and households who live in lack and poverty. There is no greater thief of peace than struggling to provide and survive.
If we take it to psychology, most of us have heard of or seen the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs. The base and foundation of our pyramid of life are related to this shift from lack to abundance.
Graphic provided by Thoughtco
Nothing is more difficult to overcome than the struggles of inconsistent income, growing debt, job insecurity, being underpaid, and limited access to resources and mentoring to increase income opportunities. Adding to these common issues related to being a woman in this world, the additional factors of intersectionality of race, culture, and religion make the weight of lack even more unbearable.
Surely this takes its toll. And its impact is greatest from a mental and emotional perspective. If we are born into poverty and lack and are surrounded by those who also only know this lifestyle and mindset, it is that much more challenging for us to break free ourselves in our adult years. I am still developing this mindset shift and emotional stability regarding stewarding money and resources and having the mindset to attract abundance. I wasn’t taught about any of this, but at some point, I had to take on the responsibility for myself to learn. Just like anything else, it’s a process.
There is no inner peace when poverty steals the quality of life, the contentment of needs met, and the ability to choose. Let’s be real here—those with adequate and abundant resources have way more choices about employment, education, and lifestyle than those who do not. What peace is to be had in a situation where one feels trapped, oppressed, and insignificant? On the other hand, finding peace in one’s current circumstances welcomes the prosperous mindset needed to overcome the struggles of lack.
Both of these truths ring true for my life. The first twenty years of my adult life were spent simply surviving in the muck and mud of a poverty mindset and lack. I was the same person then as I am now (of course now much more enlightened, healed, and confident) with the same dreams, gifts, talents, and desires for more. But I was my worst enemy and greatest critic. My acceptance of lack and survival hindered me from the very life that I dreamed of. For me, it took those twenty-plus years to finally wake up and see that it wasn’t society’s fault, my family’s fault, my spouse’s fault, or the hand I was dealt. As a minority woman in America, these things could play a part, but they are not the final say; my faith in God has the final and infinite say in who I am and what I am capable of.
I have had more evictions, repossessions, utility shutoffs, and homeless bouts in and out of motels/hotels than I’d like to admit. But GOD.
Breakthrough always starts from Above and within!
So let’s break this thing down. “Let me break it down so it can forever and consistently be broken.” (I couldn’t help myself. A little Savon Garrison Love Jones nostalgia.)
Characteristics of Someone with a Poverty Mindset
Scarcity Thinking
Believes there is never enough (money, resources, opportunities).
Focuses on limitations and constraints.
Often feels a sense of lack and fear of losing what little they have.
Risk Aversion
Avoids taking risks due to fear of failure or loss.
Prefers to stick to the familiar and known, even if it’s not beneficial.
Resistant to change and new opportunities.
Blame and Victimhood
Tends to blame external factors or others for their situation.
Adopts a victim mentality, feeling powerless to change circumstances.
Often focuses on past injustices and wrongs.
Short-term Focus
Prioritizes immediate needs over long-term goals.
Struggles with planning for the future or setting long-term goals.
Makes decisions based on immediate gratification.
Low Self-Worth
Feels undeserving of success and prosperity.
Lacks confidence in their abilities and potential.
Often has negative self-talk and a pessimistic outlook.
Comparison and Envy
Frequently compares themselves to others and feels envious of others' success.
Measures self-worth against others’ achievements and possessions.
Feels resentment towards those who are successful.
Fixed Mindset
Believes abilities and intelligence are static and cannot be changed.
Avoids challenges and gives up easily.
Reluctant to learn new skills or improve existing ones.
Focus on Problems
Dwells on problems rather than seeking solutions.
Sees obstacles as insurmountable.
Often complains and criticizes without taking action.
Characteristics of Someone with a Prosperity/Abundance Mindset
Abundance Thinking
Believes there is plenty to go around (money, resources, opportunities).
Focuses on possibilities and potential.
Feels a sense of abundance and gratitude for what they have.
Willingness to Take Risks
Embraces risk as a part of growth and opportunity.
Open to trying new things and stepping out of their comfort zone.
Views failures as learning experiences.
Accountability and Empowerment
Takes responsibility for their actions and outcomes.
Believes in their ability to create change and influence their situation.
Focuses on what they can control and improve.
Long-term Vision
Plans for the future and sets long-term goals.
Invests time and resources in future gains.
Makes decisions based on long-term benefits.
High Self-Worth
Feels deserving of success and prosperity.
Has confidence in their abilities and potential.
Practices positive self-talk and maintains an optimistic outlook.
Appreciation and Generosity
Feels genuinely happy for others’ success.
Shares resources and opportunities with others.
Practices gratitude regularly.
Growth Mindset
Believes abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort.
Embraces challenges and persists through setbacks.
Continuously seeks to learn and improve.
Focus on Solutions
Actively seeks solutions and opportunities for growth.
Views obstacles as challenges to overcome.
Takes proactive steps to improve their situation.
Prosperity vs. Abundance
I do want to clarify real quick that prosperity and abundance are in the same book but not on the same page. They are used interchangeably like transparency and authenticity, but they are, in fact, different.
Prosperity can include:
Financial stability and growth
Accumulation of wealth and assets
Success in business or career
Material possessions and comforts
Abundance can include:
Emotional and mental well-being
Rich relationships and connections
Health and vitality
Opportunities and possibilities for growth
A sense of fulfillment and purpose
While prosperity focuses more on the financial and material aspects, abundance encompasses a holistic view of wealth, including emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. Embracing a mindset of not just the pursuit of prosperity but a mindset of abundance can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life where success is measured not just by material gains but by overall well-being and fulfillment. Abundance takes account of the holistic view of a life well spent.
How to Shift into an Abundance Mindset and Prosperous Lifestyle
You might be sick of me by now saying this over and over, but it has been statistically proven that we need repetition for something to stick. Adopting an abundance mindset and a prosperous lifestyle starts in one place and one place only—you. Specifically, a God-awareness and intentional self-awareness.
Awareness: Recognize your limiting beliefs about money, opportunities, and your self-worth. Journal about these thoughts and feelings about money, resources, and your worthiness of them, and you’ll start to recognize patterns and triggers. A scarcity mindset is way more common than not, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay there. Become diligent and vigilant about checking yourself and how you see yourself, your life, and God’s will for you. He promises prosperity and abundance. We have to do our part.
Positivity and Gratitude: Use gratitude to shift your focus from lack to the abundance of what you do have. Write down what you are grateful for. Say it out loud. Use affirmations to help reprogram your mind. Remember, what you focus on expands. Expand your focus on what you do have right now, and you’ll begin to feel a whole lot better and a whole lot stronger to push forward.
Mindfulness and Visualization: What are you thinking about? Our thoughts are crafted through imagery. Have you ever let your mind wander in a scary moment, and you ended up playing a movie with the worst ending? For instance, if I lose my job, I’ll end up unable to pay my bills, and I’ll be homeless again. If I end up homeless again, I might lose my mental stability and have a nervous breakdown. This would be the end of my life as I know it. Dark and grim, right? But what if I shut down that thought process and chose to visualize abundance instead?
Positive Village and Continuous Learning: I am a strong advocate for changing one’s environment. I’ve learned that changing my environment and separating myself from certain people for a while can have massive positive effects on my mindset, focus, and peace. Sometimes even just for a day or a few hours can make a difference between frustration and fear and abundant thinking and faith. Be willing to limit your exposure to negative influences and environments that leave you feeling trapped and hopeless. And when you can’t get away, focus on yourself. What can you read, listen to, or learn?
Management: It is impossible to hold onto wealth and prosperity without learning how to manage it. Whether we’re referring to money, resources, health, relationships, or opportunities, there has to be a commitment to learning how to manage what you have been given. We have to embrace a mindset that will allow us to manage. We have to be willing to make tough choices to establish boundaries in alignment with our values and priorities. We have to be open to continuous improvement; ready to pivot at a moment's notice for the betterment of all.
Just like with everything else that is required for growth, we have to accept that just dreaming it up and wanting it is never enough. We need action. We need to implement. We need faith works. (James 2:26)
Whether we want to accept this truth or not, we are moving forward in life. Now, whether we are crawling, starting and stopping, sprinting, or being dragged, life is life-ing. So, will we become active participants or keep being dragged to our final destination?
Life is so much better with peace of mind and more than enough to keep our world entertaining, impactful, and fulfilling. With prosperity, we can provide this for ourselves and others.
