What Does Abundance Truly Mean?

We’ve all heard it said that if you have your health, then you have everything. That’s because some health problems cannot be cured. There are many illnesses that are painful and can come out of nowhere, such as multiple sclerosis, various cancers, lupus and arthritis. Living with a painful illness can detract from your joy. But so can money or family problems.

Abundance means something different to people depending on who they are and where they live. If you were living in a third-world country without enough to eat each day, then you might define that word as simply having food and water daily. But if you live in America, abundance might mean having an expensive car and fancy house.

Over and over, we’ve seen people who had all the material possessions their heart desired and yet we’re still unhappy. So happiness and joy must come from within.

Swiss philosopher, Alain De Botton, said this:

“Our capacity to draw happiness from aesthetic objects or material goods in fact seems critically dependent on our first satisfying a more important range of emotional or psychological needs, among them the need for understanding, for love, expression and respect.”

He believes that in order to be truly happy, we must look for love, understanding and respect from those around us. Though this would be a great blessing for most of us, what if those around us simply don’t desire to have a joyful relationship with you? In this case, you must make the decision to be content and joyful regardless of what people say and do.

Earl Nightingale, an American author and motivational speaker, may have said it best when he said:

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.”