Abundance and Lack
"Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities.
It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend...
when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives,
but are grateful for the abundance that's present,
(love, health, family, friends, work,
the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure)
the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth."
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
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Psst...a Baking With Lisey post is up!
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Today's 365 post: On my lap
Joshua's 365 post: I HAD to take this one!
My favorite quote by Sarah is "All that you Have is all that you Need."
I found today's post very fitting. I have recently made more of a practice of thanking God for everything... thank you God for the food that you sent our way, thank you for the phone call from a friend, thank you God for the health of my little boy, etc. And what have I found? Most days inner peace, and ALOT less stress. My friend has been going through some not-so-great stuff lately and is bummed, but I keep chatting with her that 'all is not lost' and if she focuses on what is good in her life, the bad won't seem so bad. Gratitude/appreciation of all that God has given us is a hard practice to cultivate, and you may think it is silly to be grateful for the birds singing, but it does seem to make life a little bit lovelier. Great post.
LOVE this quote from Sarah...she has quite a few good ones, actually! :)!
Love this quote. As I was reading it, I was thinking about yesterdays pictures of your dad jumping with his grandchildren.
In my mind when you clear away the clutter (whatever form that may take, stuff, commitments even work/chores...) you make space to utilise and appreciate what you have fully. A life focusing on what we do not have leads to frustration, disappointment and discontent. What a waste of effort and energy...and I don't like waste!
Thanks for the virtual smack. I've been having a very ungrateful day and needed the reminder.
thanks I needed this - lately I've been focusing on what's missing - my parents, friends close by, lack of a husband, lack of time - instead of focusing on what I do have and being grateful. And I do have a lot.
Yep, happy people are pretty sure they have enough. If they want more of something, they know they can probably figure out a way to get it, but they also know that what they have is pretty good too.
I LOVE this! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I love this. Earlier this week, I had a bout of self pity and this quote is perfect. I always feel so much better when I look at the abundance in my life. Thank you for posting!
Unfortunately enough, *I* had a bout of self-pity the day I posted this! =P
Seven years ago I started to create my own Illustrated Discovery Journal inspired by Sarah's books/work. My ever-growing journal contains collages, quotes, photos, and reflections on who I am, what I believe in, and the million things I'm thankful for. It's a labor of love and gratitude that I hope to bequeath to my children and grandchildren someday. I love your photograph symbolizing the parallel realities.