Chapter 7,
A Life of Abundance When we are constantly looking outside of ourselves for things to make us feel happy,
We can easily forget that we're already enough,
And become overly dependent on material possessions that we often don't really need.
We can have trouble seeing that we're surrounded by other gifts of all sorts,
And become selfish and jealous of other people.
We can also overlook the fact that life is not a zero-sum game,
And that there's enough happiness for all.
Until we stop taking from the world and comparing ourselves to others so much,
However,
We'll never understand this,
Or have what is truly important.
Many of us subconsciously believe that it's only after we become happy that those around us can feel the same.
We may publicly support other people,
But secretly envy them when they do succeed.
Most of us would love to have more money or quality relationships,
For example,
But when we don't,
And see our close friends or relatives growing in these areas,
We can sometimes start to feel jealous,
Scared,
Or lonely.
The unconscious desire that we often have to keep our environment the same,
And this includes our friends and relatives,
Is often threatened by positive changes that they experience.
In deep and subtle ways,
We can feel afraid of being left behind in an uncomfortable place that's been made more tolerable by the presence of someone else who is faltering alongside of us.
Our desire for this companionship,
This solidarity and smallness,
Can be threatened when these people's lives improve.
For example,
How would you feel if a long-time friend who shared your lonely fears of being single forever suddenly met a woman or man who fulfilled all of their dreams,
And perhaps yours as well?
Would you be filled with gratitude that someone so dear to you was experiencing and reflecting the possibility of greater happiness,
Or would you feel uncomfortably alone,
With a sense of urgency to also find a mate and not be left out?
Perhaps you'd long for the days before things had changed,
For the days when you and your friend were paddling the same boat of sadness and loneliness.
And now,
Suddenly,
You're alone in this boat.
Can you accept that you're there instead of desperately searching the shore for a warm body upon which to land?
Can you continue gently paddling and enjoy the ride and scenery and realize that it maybe isn't actually all that bad being alone,
That your salvation doesn't necessarily lie in the arms of another?
Perhaps you can let your friend have their happiness and realize that it can in no way diminish your own.
You see,
Happiness is something that there's an unlimited supply of.
It's important to remember that a happy,
Fulfilled world will always be a better place to live in.
When people feel happier,
They're naturally more generous,
Open,
And easygoing,
So we should always wish the best for our friends,
Family,
And acquaintances.
By doing this,
We'll brighten our world and more clearly understand the potential for happiness that our own lives hold.
When we allow others to have their happiness,
We can more easily feel as if we are enough and begin to see that their joy cannot limit our own.
There's no pleasure in hanging on to smallness.
Let yourself fly and encourage those around you to find their wings.
