Abundance Isn't Selfish

Yesterday as I watched footage of the violent, genocidal invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces I felt incredibly overwhelmed, tender, and rageful.

Not only are these systems of oppression constantly traumatic, particularly for Black people, but we have been living through a pandemic, and on top of that we’re witnessing and feeling the reverberations of the Ukraine invasion, as well as the horrific and violent news of the anti-trans actions in Texas.

As we process the events of the world at large, as well as neighboring states here in the so-called U.S. — on top of that being tasked with the job of keeping our jobs, paying rent/mortgage, and navigating “regular” life stressors like relationship issues, conflict with co-workers, deadlines, maybe you have children you are responsible for, or you’re the caretaker of a sick family member, maybe you’re currently battling COVID, or you have plant babies, or animals that require your attention…this is all too much for any one person.

As I sat on my green couch yesterday watching the snow/ice/rain fall outside my apartment window, I succumbed to the advice that I give my clients: release the expectations of yourself. We’re experiencing big, collective traumas on top of navigating our personal ones.

We happened to have a Trauma of Money alumni meeting yesterday in which we discussed the ins and outs of sliding scale in our businesses, and it was incredibly beautiful to be in community with like-minded business owners and fellow anti-capitalists who are truly striving to make this world a more safe and secure place for all.

There was room for all of our emotions, thoughts, and feelings in that space and it was a great reminder for me that there are SO many people who are working towards the liberated future that I dream of too. It reminded me that I’m not alone even if this pandemic has felt really lonely at times.

Over the last few days I’ve been thinking a lot about abundance and how this concept can bring up a lot of emotions for so many of us.

I know it might seem like nurturing an abundance mindset right now is counter to what’s happening in the world…but it’s actually one of the most pertinent practices in this moment.

It might be incredibly difficult to resource yourself at this time. It might feel incredibly difficult to feel “abundant.” And guess what? That’s okay.

It’s so important to reach out if you need help or support. And if that’s not available, maybe you can practice being your own best friend, going easy on yourself, and releasing any expectations.

You know what else is okay?

It’s okay to take time for yourself. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to not “be productive.”

There are many ways we can co-create a better, more equitable, and anti-oppressive world. Not tending to our emotions, our mental, physical, and spiritual health doesn’t serve anybody.

When the world feels chaotic, how can you anchor yourself in ritualistic, grounded self-care?

This could be as simple as checking in with your inner child throughout the day.

If you find yourself needing time to escape or just BE, I hope you know that this is a very human need, and that conscious escapism can be a healing balm.

It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person who doesn’t care. I know you care. You know you care.

Practicing an embodied sense of abundance is pertinent medicine right now. For me, this looks like helping myself get into a state of regulation when I’m feeling anxious or shut down.

From that place we can shift out of making decisions from the electric charge of our limbic system, and instead from our pre-frontal cortex. Here we can process information and strategize long-term solutions.

Cultivating and acknowledging abundance isn’t a selfish practice. We can do this without spiritual bypassing, and when done through this approach, it’s a healing tool that can remind us that we are safe, we are capable, and we are connected. This allows us a greater capacity to offer safety and connection to others in the ways we are uniquely equipped to do so.

I encourage you to slow down today and check in with yourself. As you navigate the world and the news (or not) please remember that your abundance is not taking from anyone else’s. When your cup is full it means you can pour into others’ from the overflow.

Suggested exercise:

I invite you to focus on an area of life where you would like to feel more abundant. Our mind might want to race with thoughts of all the ways in which we lack. We don’t need to shame or dismiss this part of us because all parts of us are welcome. Try acknowledging and sending gratitude to this part of you. Give thanks for the protection this part of you wishes for you to experience, and then see if you can tell this part of you that you are okay. You are safe in this moment to think about what is abundant in your life. See if you can create some distance from that racing narrative of lack.

I invite you to play with some new beliefs and affirmations:

“Acknowledging my blessings is a spell that brings in more.”

“My abundance isn’t taking from anyone else’s. When my cup is full I can pour from the overflow into others’.”

“I have everything I want and need.”

“I am already enough.”

“There is nothing to prove, no test to pass. I’m not being graded and there is nothing to get right.”

“It is safe for me to give, and it is safe for me to receive.”

“The vastness of my power comes from the deep well of gentleness I draw from in times of difficulty. This radiant power is not a force of brute strength, but a steady flame for my hearth, which in turn ignites and warms the hearth of others’.”

“Igniting my inner flame allows others’ to ignite their’s and from this place we are all warm and fed.”

Bring your attention to any emotions that may arise when you say these affirmations. What happens in your body? Breathe into that.

If you’d like to listen to me speak my meditation on abundance out loud and view a little edited video to accompany it (a series of various video clips that serve as snippets of my life over the last year) you can do so here!

Sending love and healing,

Erin

P.S. Please feel free to send me an email at erin@erinkmonahan.com with any emotions, feelings, thoughts, or ideas that this email stirred up in you.I’d love to hear from you and connect. I’m not a distant, far off, internet hologram…(?) Lol. I’m a real person who wants to hear from you and genuinely cares about how these thoughts are landing for you.

P.P.S. If you’d like more support you can schedule a free Clarity Call! In this call you’ll get crystal clear on what’s got you stuck on your entrepreneurial/healing journey and what the next, best step is for you. This is a no-pressure call where you’ll walk away with more confidence and clarity to make powerful, sustainable moves towards building your dream business. If it feels like a good fit, I can chat you through the options available for us to work together.