Everyday Abundance: Being on Purpose

This evening I will be giving a talk on Everyday Abundance at One Spirit in New York.  One of the themes I will focus on is the relationship between abundance and living a life of purpose.

I notice that when I feel I am on purpose I want for nothing else.  Being on purpose, separation gives way to connectivity; being on purpose I become open and receptive; being on purpose I feel very, very present; being on purpose I am illogically generous; being on purpose I am in the flow; being on purpose I enjoy a vital engagement with life; being on purpose the neurotic static of my ego is barely noticeable and I feel in tune with something greater than myself.

This evening I will introduce the theme of being on purpose with a poem I wrote called “Money and Purpose.”   Here it is:

Money does not exist

in heaven.

But it can buy you

many things on earth.

 

So what is the true value

of money?

Isn’t it true that anything

of real value has

no price?

 

Let’s talk about exchange rates,

like economists do.

What are you trying to

exchange money for?

 

Are you trying to buy yourself

some freedom?

Are you hoping that enough money

will make you feel secure?

 

Do you still believe that money

can create joy?

Will more money really make

you feel abundant?

 

The ego will always try to sell

you something that is

already yours.

 

The richest person on earth is the

one who collects his Divine

tax-free inheritance.

 

Money or not, rich or poor, bull

market or bear market,

keep investing in the

treasures of your soul.

 

Don’t be distracted by what can

go up or down, and what

can be won or lost.

 

Focus only on your divine purpose,

and all of the necessary funds

will be made available.

Everyday Abundance: "A Rich Man"

When I prepare for a workshop I give, I often find that my thoughts turn to poetry. Not exactly sure why; it just happens that way. At the recent Everyday Abundance workshop, I shared a number of personal poems that address the relationship between happiness and abundance. Here is one of them. It is called “A Rich Man.” I hope you enjoy it.

A rich man
does not think about
money
much.

And yet, he knows the
price of
every
thing.


A rich man
is someone who is willing
to invest everything
he has
in love.

Love is a bond that grows,
no matter what the
economy is
doing.


A rich man
will forgive everyone
no matter what it
costs him.

He will gladly give up
all of the grievances and
resentments that his
ego gambles on.


A rich man
will sell off all of his
future investments
in an instant, if it means
he can be with
you
now.

He is interested only in the
gift of the present.
And he is happy to leave
the future and the past
right where they are.


A rich man
has learned to appreciate
what is here,
in his life,
right here.

He is rich in gratitude,
and he has discovered
that what he
appreciates,
appreciates.


A rich man
knows that in a world of
front-page news,
fast-track careers,
designer clothing, and
tragic sports results,
you have to know
what is real.


A rich man
knows the true value of
everything.
He knows what is real.
His heart is set on
what lives
forever.

Everyday Abundance: Abundance is not an It!

On February 27th-28th, I facilitated a workshop on Everyday Abundance at the Columbia Hotel, London. For two days, a room full of people, who came from all walks of life, explored some big themes including definitions of real abundance, blocks to real abundance, and also what can enable greater abundance.

I put this workshop on now, in the middle of this economic recession, because I believe we are each being called to reflect on what is of real value in our lives. The workshop was a wonderful occasion, and one that I personally got a lot out of. It was full of deep realizations, rich sharings, helpful conversations, and new commitments going forward.

The Everyday Abundance workshop started with a reading by Avril Carson and Lizzie Prior of a poem I wrote called True Abundance. This poem set the tone for our workshop. Here it is:

Abundance is not an it.
It is not to be found in
a shopping basket.

Abundance is not an achievement.
You will not find it at the end
of your never-ending
to-do list.

Abundance is not a place to get to.
Your zip code will not make you
happy.

Abundance is not a competition.
You cannot have more than your
neighbour and feel truly
abundant.

Abundance is not having everything.
You can’t have everything.
Think about it.
Where would you put it all?

Abundance is not about
getting more or
having more.
First and foremost, it is about
being more.
Being more of Who you
really are.

The reason why abundance is so
desirable is that it is your
true nature.

Abundance is Who you are.
It is what you experience when you
stop depriving yourself of what
is already yours.