We all know that true happiness ( the true “richness,” of life) does not come with a price tag. There are genuinely rich experiences we have in life that are completely free.  And, we always have a choice about how we feel about anything. We can choose to see a situation as perfect, even if it’s difficult. Or, we can choose to see only what is wrong.

I believe a rich life is composed of many factors. While the topic is fairly subjective, there tend to be common threads among those who feel they live a rich and prosperous life. Below are some of the most common statements I hear.  As you read them, ask yourself which ones align with your life.

• I have people I love in my life (friends and family) and meaningful relationships.
• I appreciate what I have and take good care of it.
• I am healthy.
• I have a fulfilling, purpose-filled career and work among wonderful people.
• I am fulfilling my destiny.
• I have a lot of laughter in my life.
• I create memories that I will cherish.
• I have a beautiful home and am surrounded by things I appreciate.
• I live according to my values.
• I have a rich inner life, deeply connected to spirit and myself.
• I live a creative life (or a spontaneous, well-run, fun, laughter-filled, energetic one – whatever is important to you).
• I give generously because I live according to the laws of prosperity and abundance.
• My life has significance.
• I have good food to eat.
• I believe I will always be more than okay.
• I know I am right where I should be.
• I appreciate what I have.
• Money flows to me easily.

Then there are those who, when looking at themselves honestly, are living a life focused more on lack or what’s wrong. In addition to the opposite of the affirmations listed above,  I hear:

• Why can’t I make more money?
• She’s more successful, yet I’m smarter.
• I’m worried all the time.
• I’m not really sure if I’ll fulfill my destiny.
• I feel guilty because I have more than others.
• I compare myself to others all the time.
• I judge others.
• S/he takes advantage of me.
• I can’t be successful/happy/content because s/he …. (aka, blaming others).
• I don’t have enough time/money/opportunity.
• I can’t help it if …..
• I have all this stuff. Why can’t I be happy?
• It’s just the way I am.
• All I do is work.
• I’m too fat, skinny, old, young, etc.
• I don’t know how to ….
• I’m just not cut out to have wealth/money/a great partner/peace.
• You have to work really hard to have money.
• Having money isn’t spiritual.

Obviously, both lists could go on and on. But there are a couple of secrets to living a rich and prosperous life – and they lie within your own control.

It starts with how you think. Remembering the law of attraction, what you think about, you receive. So ask yourself what it is that you are focused on. If you have limiting beliefs about money, relationships, health, or any form of abundance, you are attracting more of the same into your life. If you are focused more on what you don’t have, you are necessarily drawing more of that lack into your life.

Consciously, you might believe that you are doing everything you can to achieve a rich and prosperous life. But subconsciously, if you don’t believe you deserve it or can achieve it, you are either sabotaging yourself, or missing opportunities to bring abundance into your life.

Richness and prosperity is not what you have. It’s a state of mind. Instead of focusing on what you lack, shift your focus to how you can have what you want in your life. You then start behaving differently, and will attract shockingly amazing opportunities to change your life.

Focusing on what you don’t have brings with it resentment, anger, and frustration. Scarcity-based attitudes come from being exposed to such a mindset about money, prosperity, richness, and value as a child. This outlook made an imprint upon your subconscious.

Next week, I’ll talk about ways to change these imprints, but the most important and first thing to do is to change your attitude.

What you think about, you receive. Make an honest list of your attitudes about richness and prosperity and openly ask yourself about one thing that has been troubling you. Think of something you want. Then, think of all the possibilities for achieving what you want.

Compare that to this approach: Here’s what I don’t have. Here are all the reasons why I don’t have it.

How do you feel in each scenario –focusing on how to achieve what you want vs. focusing on what you don’t have and why? Which attitude makes you feel better? Which do you think will have you behaving in more productive, successful ways?

I get it – we all come across stumbling blocks in our attitudes. But you have a choice, always, as to how you feel about it. When you determine your self-worth by how much you have, you will always feel you are lacking. When you look at life as a series of possibilities instead of obstacles, you’ll find clearer sailing into a life of richness and prosperity.

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