A better life begins with one step; letting go of negative thinking patterns and stepping into a zone of abundance where everything you wish to be or have comes effortlessly to you. This is how the universe wants you to live.
Life was never meant to be difficult or lacking joy. Life, your life, and the lives of those around you, is meant to be a thing of joy, beauty and abundance. You are here to be happy.
Daily, there are things which weigh us down and bring us into an energy field where abundance fails to flow, if we let it. Do you ever wonder why some days things seem to go wrong right from the moment you get out of bed?
Other days you feel great and wonderful things seem to happen to you all day long. Is this just co-incidence, or is something else happening here?
What do you believe about yourself as a 'being'? Do you believe you're a physical being in a physical world, or do you believe that you're a metaphysical being in a metaphysical world? Have you noticed that when you're feeling great and of a happy state of mind, great things seem to follow you around? Have you thought about how this works?
We live in a world that is projected from within our own selves. What you see on the outside, is how you feel on the inside. You have the ability to place yourself, daily, in the field of energy of your choice. Think of it as layers, only these layers are all similar at first glance. The people and places are the same in each field, however once you enter a specific field and begin to interact in it, you realize there are intrinsic differences within each field that you choose on a daily basis.
Choosing the positive field, which you choose by utilizing your emotional state for the day, you find people smile at you and things seem to flow effortlessly along. Wonderful things happen to you and you feel as though you are floating on air.
Choosing the negative field has the opposite effect and you notice people are critical or grumpy. Things seem to go wrong all over the place in the negative field, and they drag you further down.
Did you realize you have the ability to paint the day or life you will have by choosing the emotions and thoughts you hold within your being? Are we living in parallel worlds that all appear the same on the surface? Or do we create our conscious world every morning when we wake up?
Learning to live a life of abundance is not an easy thing and I won't begin to pretend that it is. It entails a lot of commitment and work on a daily basis with respect to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.
Just this morning I was talking to two of my peers at our office meeting and in reply to one of my friends talking about the housework he had done over the weekend and how much he really dislikes doing it, I responded, 'Yep. It's a lot of work being a human. Not only do we have to take care of our own beings, we also have to take care of the environments that our beings spend regular time in.'
When we think about this, we begin to realize that we are not just creatures that exist within ourselves. We are dependent on immediate and extended environments for our well-being to a very high degree. In knowing this, there are a number of things we can do to ensure that we live the most abundant and happiest life possible.
Limit our time around negative or critical people. If someone we love is often critical or negative, perhaps we could point this out to them and let them know the effect their negativity or critical behaviour has on us and others around them, as well as within their own bodies.
Enjoy the natural world as much as possible. Get out in the sunshine (use at least a bit of sunscreen, but not too much. Sun is actually good for you.) around trees, water and wildlife.
Spend part of every day moving your body on an extended basis. This could be walking, bicycling, swimming, dancing, housecleaning, gardening, shopping, or any number of other activities that require you to move more body parts than just your fingers and eyes.
Limit the amount of animal products that you intake and increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains that you eat. Meat takes a total of three days to work itself through your system and in the process slows down all bodily functions. Plant products are more easily digested and less of their byproducts remain in your arteries and veins. In fact, plants can help with the daily housekeeping of your body and subsequently your mind.
Take time each day for silence. A few moments every day spent in prayer or talking with the universe goes a long way towards keeping your spirit, soul and mind relaxed and at ease with the life you are living. It also brings you guidance and reduces your stress level.
Make sure you're getting an adequate amount of water daily. A lack of sufficient clean, fresh water not only stops your body from performing it's functions properly, it can also cause depression.
Have your blood checked regularly to make sure you are not deficient in any of the major vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function at it's optimum. In particular, make sure you have sufficient B12 and Iron, both of which a lack of can bring about depression, poor memory and a poor ability to deal with the daily stresses that life brings.
Get adequate sleep in a dark and peaceful place. Sleep is extremely important for the rejuvenation of our bodies and brains. Without adequate deep sleep, our memory and problem solving skills are reduced drastically and small things will irritate us bringing about stress hormones that tax our system.
Socialize with and love the people around you. We are social beings and even if we are introverts, we still require to have daily healthy exchanges with people around us. Similarly, love is very important. If you find you are alone most of the time, learn how to make changes in your life so that you may once again have a life filled with friends and perhaps a close partner. Human beings thrive on physical touch and having close physical and emotional relationships with people we love and trust, increases our longevity, health and happiness greatly.
Each day remember the things you have in your life to be thankful for. Having a gratefulness list is an excellent way to remind yourself of just how good things really are, particularly during times when something has gone wrong or you're feeling down.
Make an effort to forgive those from your past who have wronged you. Forgiveness frees you and allows you to move forward in a positive way.
Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel comfortable and happy. These may be children, family, friends, pets, gardens, soft clothes, nice scents, beautiful views or music that touches our souls.
Spend a part of each day doing that thing that the universe has called you to do. You will know what that thing is, for it is the thing that makes you feel the most right, the most balanced and where time seems to flow effortlessly along and the world feels totally right. For some it may be painting beautiful pictures, for others it may be singing or writing and for others it may be helping those less fortunate.
The universe has given each of us a special song that our soul is here to sing, and bringing our part to the world, benefits the entire symphony. Once we find our song,it is important, not only for ourselves, but for all of those around us and the earth itself, that we do what we have been called here to do.
Smile as often and at as many people as possible. A simple smile will bring a feeling of wellness and joy to those who you give it to and at the same time boost the good chemicals within your body and brain.
Living a life of abundance is possible for all of us; it's just a matter of remembering why we are here. We are here to enjoy life and to help as many people around us enjoy life also.
As my Grandmother always said 'Give to the world the best you have, and the world, in turn, will give it's best back to you.'
Photos in this article are the Copyright of JoSmith and may be used with her permission.
Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com
40 Comments on The Universe Wants You to Live a Life of Abundance
Jo-Anne - This is so well said! Being positive has alot to do with the heart and soul. Being in good health is good for the heart and soul. Thank you for sharing this.
Jo, This list is surely one to keep printed out and live by. I am doing a lot of the things you mentioned right now and some I already do. But I know water is vital and don't drink enough and I know in the winter I MISS the sun too much, that is the difficult part. I hope to at least vacation somewhere warm and sunny this winter! Great thoughts and absolutely TRUE post!
hi Jo, reading your posts I often get the same feeling/satisfaction as when I read/listen to Deepak Chopra, you both point out and illustrate so well what really matters. We get so caught up in the day to day stuff, it's easy to lose sight of the important things in life.
I write these things to help to remind myself of what I should be doing on a daily basis...it's tough being a human and keeping track of all of the things we 'should be' doing, isn't it?
I'm guilty of not doing all of these things too. Water is a big one for me also; I don't get thirsty that often so forget to drink it. I try and drink a lot of green and herbal tea though, so maybe that counts.
I sure hope you get to go south this winter.....you could really use the R&R after the year you've had.
Thank you for your kind sentiments. ((-: I wonder why there are so many day to day things in life that shout for our attention and take our focus away from the important stuff? I just had a long conversation with my brother and like I said to him 'Why does life on planet earth have to be so hard?'. hmmm
Hi Jo, I think perhaps we, humans, make life difficult by not doing these things that you wrote about. Most of us know all of this but we fail to practice what we know. We think we're too busy and do not take the time to enjoy nature, family and friends--the very things that energize us and give us joy and peace.
"Yep. It's a lot of work being a human." LOVE IT!! How simple and yet so very true. We live in a 'hollywood' mindset...where no one ever cleans their home or has a mess after cooking. Life is messy...and it takes a lot of work to create a peaceful environment. Most of us just run from one thing to another...without ever even enjoying the victory (much less the journey to the victory!) I don't want to be like that. I want to savor life...every juicy morsel. Beautifully written!! GBU!
Jo, I came to live a life thinking of abundance vs. scarcity a long time ago and it has made the world of difference to me. Every single one of your tips is EXACTLY on the mark. You have learned a world of lessons here and thank you so much for sharing them with everyone.
Awesome, well rounded, healthy and sound advice Jo
brought to mind.....
Once when I was young and already disliked cleaning and chores I asked my Mom why she hums and sings doing housework (she was cleaning the bathroom toilet at the time:).
She said I am thankful for indoor plumbing. I grew up without it! ( once we visited her village in Poland in the 1970's and some still lived with outhouses and dirt floors in their homes! ).
What we take for granted today -, many less fortunate would love to trade places and do these chores joyously and gladly!!
I get to enjoy and be reminded of the important things every day when I go out and take photographs! Wow, am I lucky. It's the little things that matter, and they are around us everywhere.
Good morning Cynthia! I agree with you completely. The hardest thing seems to be 'the doing', although really it just comes down to making a daily plan and sticking to it. Self discipline not only applies to work, it also applies to our personal lives. It's strange how 'the very things that energize us', to quote your eloquent words, are the ones we seem to apply the least amount of self-discipline to. Perhaps it's because they're the most enjoyable and bring us the most happiness and therefore we feel guilty taking time away from work to do them?
Thanks Elizabeth! You're so right...we do live in a 'hollywood' mindset' as you so aptly described it. Some people make it 'look' so easy, however the truth is we all have the same struggles and work to do, the difference being that those who make it look easy, are perhaps a little more organized and disciplined. They too have daily struggles and hardships just like everyone else, however I believe they follow the premises in the above post to a greater degree, and hence have a lot more help in dealing with the struggles.
I believe like you do, the joy is in the journey. Somehow, struggling to get there, makes it all that much more worthwhile when you do finally arrive at your goal.
Jo - Thank you for sharing such a well thought out and complete guide to an abundant, healthful and peaceful exsistence. I've realized that many of these things are just a part of my lifestyle and done without effort, although I'm still working on others. It's a journey, isn't it? Your "recipe" provides for a wonderful outcome.
WoW, I love it when you drop by with these beautiful comments filled with reminiscences of your Mom. She was certainly a beautiful and very wise soul and I feel she is with us still...in fact, I feel I know her through you and the lovely words you've written about her.
We really do take so much for granted. Just how very lucky we truly are!!
hi Susie, You have a gift and I'm so glad you follow your heart and take your beautiful photos and then share them with the world. You bring such beauty to the world!
It really is the little things....thanks for visiting. ((-: Jo
Hi Lynn, It certainly is a journey...yes. It's hard to keep track of all of the things we should be doing to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle. I guess the key is in making most of these things daily habits, then the other stuff will all fall into place with much more ease.
Thanks so much for visiting this post and for your kind words...I greatly appreciate them. Jo
Excellent post....great words to live by! Love the photos. I love to smile at people I think more so because of their reactions. Some of the reactions I get make me giggle. I hope all is well with you and you are packing for your trip West! I haven't been on here much, for 2 reasons I have been so busy with everything and the other is I went to change my profile picture and I don't know what I did but I can not see any graphics/pictures on here so I can not comment. I am at my parents place so I am going to email them and find out how I get the graphics back!! Silly me!
PS. I am heading home tomorrow at 7 am so if you don't hear from me again then you will know I have not figured out how to fix my mistake!!
Wow!...I feel better already by just reading your post! You do speak the truth here about a whole lot of things but the real secret I suppose is learning to balance it all and to prioritize..
I know I replied to this last night, however I think it disappeared because my computer has been acting up all last night and today. In fact I've spent a good part of today trying to find out the problem.
I hope you've got your graphics problem figured out....gee, isn't technology fun!?!!! Give me a horse and 40 acres any day. (((-:
It's wonderful to see your name popping up in my comments section....I'll have to get over and visit your blog, I've been so busy that I've been missing many reading many of my favourite people's posts these days. I'm glad this post helped you to feel better....you're right, it really is about balancing and doing what's important first. Reminds me of that saying 'first things first'.
Jo-Anne, this is simply beautiful! Your words, your photography and your inspiration are truly special. Sometimes I worry about blogging because it keeps me inside behind a computer too much and I miss being outside soaking in the sights and sounds and smells. Time to take a break perhaps. Thanks for this!
Diane, Thank you! I too worry about spending too much time behind a desk or behind a computer and lately I try to get out and enjoy the day and nature as much as possible. Expecially with winter coming!! ((-:
Jo-Anne-this article rocks! I also have many of the same beliefs...as a matter of fact..over the weekend..my hubby and I are going to be making some very big changes in our lifestyle. I think abundance can be defined in many ways...I do have an abundant life...and I do believe you tips..and advice are really universal.
I agree with you completely on these points.....I'm fortunate that I have a beautiful view right next to my desk. It looks out at a giant Sugar Maple and a smaller Japanese Maple and I often see squirrels and mourning doves on the branches. This small respite from my day is often enough to remind me of how insignificant my few problems really are and gives me a balanced perspective once more.
Silence can be a difficult thing, indeed. There is always that steady hum of the electrical devices all around us (I've always been amazed when I spend time in nature or on an island where there is no electricity, the silence is so absolutely beautiful ).
I have a heavy blind on my bedroom window as there is a fire hall not too far off from where I live and it is lit up all night long. The blind helps. Also, my brother gave me an eye mask (filled with buckwheat groats) that you can warm up and place over your eyes when you're stressed....it puts you into a warm world that is completely dark and peaceful.
Jo-Anne Smith-Belleville, Quinte and Prince Edward Region Real Estate, Ont. Belleville, ON More about me…
Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage
Office Phone: (613) 966-6060
Cell Phone: (613) 922-5978
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When I first became a licensed REALTOR® over 11 years ago, my instructor said to me as I was leaving the class for the last time, 'Now your real education begins !' How right she was ! Every day in real estate is different and the stories are many !
Jo-Anne Smith-Belleville, Quinte and Prince Edward Region Real Estate, Ont.
the lives of those around you, is meant to be a thing of joy, beauty and abundance. 
You have the ability to place yourself, daily, in the field of energy of your choice. 
I won't begin to pretend that it is. 
byproducts remain in your arteries and veins. In fact, plants can help with the daily housekeeping of your body and subsequently your mind.
;)
;)
Jo-Anne - This is so well said! Being positive has alot to do with the heart and soul. Being in good health is good for the heart and soul. Thank you for sharing this.