What is abundance anyway?

It’s all about appreciating what you have.

Material Abundance : A 10lb bag of rice.

At today’s prices a 10lb bag of rice costs 10.00 USD and up, depending on how fancy the rice might be, it can get pretty expensive. But, if you’re poor, it’s the 10.00 USD stuff. There’s about 20 cups of rice in one bag. A single cup can make 3 cups of cooked rice. 3 cups of rice is pretty darn filling for only 52 cents! For protein and other nutrients I added in frozen peas(2.28 USD for 32 oz and 11 servings) and sometimes corn. Corn was more expensive and I didn’t like it as much.

Does that sound abundant? It certainly was to me! For 12.28 USD that was more than eleven meals. If I had water, salt and oil, maybe even some pepper, I had more than enough food for a week. Variety was the least of my concerns. Would I feel the same wave of gratitude for a 10lb bag of rice and some frozen vegetables today? Probably not, unless they were the only things in the kitchen.

I haven’t forgotten the necessity of finding my blessings, my abundance, where I can. It’s okay to celebrate a wildflower as your abundance. It’s more than okay. Some days that’s what you have ,and you have to look very hard to find that wildflower. Is this celebration of abundance about lowering our standards? No, it’s about releasing our arrogance. Why wouldn’t a wildflower be enough to raise your spirits and keep you going? Is one impetus for hope any more acceptable than another?

Perspective is knowing the broader truth of a situation and taking that into account.

Rice and frozen peas are still my comfort food.