Harvesting Inner Abundance
At Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living, we focus on one seed of awakening each month as our central theme. At the beginning of the month, we plant the seed, then water and nurture it throughout the month. By the end of the month, we have expanded our conscious awareness of the kernel and cultivated its richness into form in our lives.
Our seed for November is “Harvesting Inner Abundance.” It is a theme that encourages exploring and cultivating the lavish abundance within ourselves. It emphasizes the concept of personal wealth beyond material possessions, focusing on gratitude and mindfulness to recognize the opulence already present in our lives.
It is an expansion of the theme of gratitude we all begin to contemplate in November as we approach the holidays and prepare to give thanks on the fourth Thursday of the month. The idea is to cultivate gratitude, nurture mindfulness, and reap the rewards.
Cultivating gratitude involves actively recognizing and appreciating the abundance in life, regardless of its size or significance. It’s about acknowledging the blessings, whether they’re significant accomplishments, simple pleasures, moments of kindness, or lessons learned from challenges. Practicing gratitude involves intentionally focusing on the positive aspects of life, which can lead to a more optimistic outlook and improved mental well-being.
By consciously acknowledging the bountiful aspects of life, one develops a mindset centered on thankfulness and appreciation. This practice can be incorporated into your daily life through activities like keeping a gratitude journal, regularly expressing thanks to others, or taking moments to reflect on what you are grateful for. Ultimately, the consistent acknowledgment of life’s gifts, big and small, helps foster a sense of contentment and overall happiness.
Nurturing mindfulness involves cultivating heightened awareness and being fully present in each moment. It’s about consciously engaging with the richness of experiences, emotions, and sensations as they unfold without judgment or distraction. This practice encourages a deeper connection to the present, fostering a greater appreciation for life and a more profound understanding of oneself and the surrounding environment.
Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment, whether it’s through meditation, focused breathing exercises, or simply observing daily activities with a heightened sense of awareness. By doing so, you can better understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions, leading to a more profound connection with the world around you.
Reaping the rewards of embodying gratitude and mindfulness involves experiencing life in a more enriched and fulfilling manner. When you actively practice gratitude, you are more attuned to the abundance in your life, which creates a positive outlook. Recognizing and appreciating the big and small blessings can lead to a greater sense of contentment and joy.
The combination of gratitude and mindfulness creates a powerful synergy, enhancing one’s overall well-being and leading to a more joyful existence.
As you practice being grateful and mindful, you will feel the inner peace and contentment everyone longs for.
You are rich. I am grateful.
And so it is.
Rev. Elizabeth Rowley Hogue is an independent columnist for the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email her at revelizabeth@awakeningways.org.
