The dictionary definition of abundance is “existing or available in large quantities”. Notice that it doesn’t specify large quantities of what. In first world countries, the definition of abundance is generally connected to the amount of money we make, the number of cars in our driveways and by the size and value of our homes. We are really, really, good at quantifying our abundance by how many toys we have. And in general, we think that’s what makes us happy, content, safe and secure… 

I, like most people in first world countries, never put much more thought into it than that until I spent over a year traveling and living in third world countries. In fact, my big “ah ha” moment happened in India where I volunteered for a group of hospitals. After living there for several months, I was walking through the city of Madurai and I noticed an ancient-looking woman walking ahead of me. She appeared to be shrinking before my eyes and wore a sari that was the epitome of threadbare. Having lived in India long enough to know not to judge what I saw based on first impressions, I didn’t look at her with pity as I might have when I first arrived. Instead I was entranced by her. And as I watched she turned off the road at a small roadside “temple” dedicated to Lord Ganesh. She walked up to the statue and left the only thing she was carrying, a rupee. She prostrated before Ganesh and then turned back towards the road and as she did I saw a look of pure joy upon her face.  

I was thunderstruck that she would give away what was probably her only rupee. How would she eat?   Where did she sleep at night? How did she survive? But I knew, even though I was seeing her through my own fears of lack and scarcity, she did not experience that same fear. It was clear in the look on her face. She didn’t need that rupee. She had all that she needed and she knew her very minimal needs would be met. She was living in an abundance of generosity, peace, and joy. And I was envious…if only I could find that same sense of abundance and security to know that I didn’t need to define my abundance by my home, my clothes, my shoes, my car… 

I knew then that my idea of the meaning of abundance was all wrong. I would never really have abundance until I could “give up my last rupee” and still be at peace. Only then would I understand the true keys to abundance: 

1. Your safety and security lie within – recently there was a story in the Wall Street Journal of a man who had millions and lived in such fear of losing his millions that he ended up committing suicide because he was so consumed by his fears. Remember, you can’t take it with you. The only thing that really comes from trying to protect the things that you own, is that you either suffer from the fear of losing your things or you lose them and then you suffer because of the loss. If, however, you are filled with an abundance of safety and security within and don’t define yourself by how much you have on the outer, you won’t suffer because of the “things” you own. They will simply be something that brings you joy in the moment.

2. Generosity fills you up – When filled with an abundance of gratitude, your ability to give to others and the world increases exponentially. And it doesn’t drain you or wear you out. Your generosity fills you with more gratitude and you are overflowing with the ability and desire to give more. 

3. Joy is found in letting go – Let go of your anger, resentments, hurts, need for revenge, jealousies, etc. These are also things that you won’t be taking with you when you leave this life so why are you holding on to them now? What good do they do being carried around on your back? Life would be a whole lot easier and a whole lot more joyful if we didn’t lug our extra baggage around with us all of the time…  

4. Peace is the answer – Peace comes from a contentment with the world as it is, without needing to change it. This doesn’t mean that you don’t do things to change it but you are at peace whether or not those changes occur.  

It is your choice how you choose to define abundance in your life. Fill yourself with an abundance of safety, security, generosity, joy and peace and you might just find yourself giving away your last rupee without a second thought.