In my house is a small Buddha statue. This Buddha wears a beatific grin that creases his round face and crinkles his eyes. Above his full, curved tummy, his arms are joyously stretched to the sky with the palms up. You can almost hear his enthusiastic "yes!" that affirms the happiness captured forever in his little pose.

To me, this statue is a reminder of true abundance: a full belly, love in you heart, and a joy that's reflected in every inch of your being.

What Does Abundance Mean to You?
Your definition of abundance will not be exactly the same as mine or anyone else's. For you, it might mean time spent with family, or it might include solitary meditation. Perhaps hiking in the mountains creates abundance for you, or maybe it lies in your preparation of a delicious meal.

There are no right and wrong answers. However, if you want to attract abundance into your life, you first need to decide what it means to you. After all, how can you create something if you don't even know what it looks like and therefore wouldn't recognize if it came to you?

Many people mistakenly believe that abundance equals material wealth and that to pursue it is petty. But pursuing true abundance is actually a profoundly spiritual journey.

True abundance brings a profusion of experiences such as joy, love, laughter, and health. Material wealth can certainly be part of an abundant life but it's not the whole picture, nor even the most important part.

Take some time now to create your definition of abundance so that you may begin to create the abundance itself.

Finding Your Abundance
We live in an infinitely abundant universe. There are no limits on what you can create or enjoy, only the false limits you place on yourself.

Do you get up in the morning and hope there's enough air to breathe? Do you worry that by taking a breath you are stealing it from someone else who then won't have it?

Of course not.

It doesn't even consciously cross your mind. You just know and trust that air is all around you, and that there's more than enough for you and everyone else here.

Everything in the universe is like air. There's always more than enough. More than enough love, happiness, laughter, health and yes, even money. Know it, trust it, and you are on your way to enjoying abundance.

Accessing the limitless abundance of the universe is your birth right as a human being. To begin your journey to true abundance, ask yourself these important questions and document the answers:

1. What are my life values? What do I value in the world around me, in my friends, in those I admire? Is it integrity, love, laughter, fitness, the outdoors? It is different for everyone.
2. How do my values inspire my focus on abundance?
3. What does abundance mean to me in terms of mind, body and spirit?
4. What does that look like, feel like, sound like?
5. How will it change my life? How will I change my life?

• Not understanding that abundance exists all around you and can be yours
• Lack of self-worth, feeling undeserving
• Fear of change
• Environmental stress such as an overflowing schedule that runs you ragged

• For your mind?
• For your body?
• For your spirit?