Abundance

Today, I turn my mind to the overall abundance we have in this country. Regardless of what we want, we can get it almost immediately. Need some blank CDs? Go out to Best Buy. Need them cheaper? Try Goodwill. New clothes? Covered. New Car? Used Car? Craigslist. We can buy computers, organic produce, houses, books, electricity, clean drinking water, all the food we can eat, and infinitely more. All of these things are at our fingertips. We literally don't have to leave our house to get most of these things, thanks to internet shopping.

We are so unbelievably lucky. It blows my mind when I take the time to think about it. I've never had to read the same book hundreds of times just because I couldn't afford or didn't have access to a new one. I've never had to sit by candlelight because my area hasn't been developed enough to be equipped with electricity. I've never had to walk miles to a well in order to find water that was suitable for drinking, let alone doing the dishes, taking a shower, or taking advantage of indoor plumbing.

Sometimes I feel conflicted about this privilege I've accidentally stumbled into, especially when I picture families who, out of necessity, do have to go through the aforementioned efforts to acquire basic items and services that I don't think twice about. On the other hand, if we can have all of our basic needs—and then some—met here, then I believe everywhere else is capable of achieving the same thing. It will take effort; it will take planning; and it will take the conscious effort of all of us to even be aware of this abundance we live in and that not everyone is afforded this.

Thank you, abundance, for making our lives easier. Thank you for allowing me to turn my attention from basic survival to more complex and deep aspirations in life. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy all you have to offer responsibly. It's a historical accident that I was born an American and born into this society of plenty, but that doesn't mean I should be wasteful or lavish—quite the opposite. Everyday is a chance to practice mindfulness and to be grateful for every single thing in my life.