Key Principles of the Abundance Mindset and How to Practice It.

It takes practice to implement the Abundance Mindset and incorporate it into day-to-day life. Follow these principles-time, rest, dreaming, space-can make the practice more accessible, enjoyable, and effective.

by Zhou Fang, Intersectional Group

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Time is not a commodity.

In many cultures, "time" is to be created and experienced, not to be "consumed" "spent" "wasted" or "saved". For example, in Indigenous cultures, time is not a line but a circle, deeply connected to the land, ancestors, and seasons. In African cultures, time is often relational and event-based, rather than clock-based. "A person is a person through other persons" (Ubuntu philosophy). Time is created and measured by events and community happenings.

Now, I invite you to count 60 seconds and see how "to the dot" you are. And imagine, if we were on a different planet, how many hours would "one day" have? Use your curiosity to reimagine, "what if time is a mere construct?" "what if we had more than 24 hours, or less than 24 hours a day? what would we do?"

Throughout the day, pay attention to the moment when you feel "rushed" or the need to "hurry up". If you can, take a couple of deep breaths, and allow yourself to slow down and experience time as a steady stream of water.

Rest is not lazy.

In Chinese, the word "busy" looks like this: 忙 (máng). The left part is called a "radical" and it means Heart = 心 (xīn). The right part is 亡 (wáng) and it means Death. Quite literally, in Chinese culture, being busy means "heart dying". It is a visual reminder that if we keep doing and stay busy without pausing or resting, overall, our heart and spirit die.

Around the world, communities and societies prioritize "rest". Famously, the "siesta" in Spain is an example of institutionalized rest, though it is also changing. In Nordic countries, the concept of "friluftsliv" (open-air life) and long, state-mandated vacations reflect a cultural commitment to rest and restoration.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith created the 7 Types of Rest Framework that includes Physical Rest, Mental Rest, Emotional Rest, Social Rest, Sensory Rest, Creative Rest, and Spiritual Rest.

Now, I invite you to imagine your ideal day of resting. What does it look like? What do you do and what do you not do?

Explore Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's 7 types of rest and see what type(s) of rest work for you.

Remember, rest is not just "do nothing" or "sleep in". Sometimes, doing nothing and sleeping in are needed. At the same time, we can be active and still feel "rested" (or "recharged").

Dreaming is not frivolous.

Daydreaming gets a bad rep because it implies "not doing things, only thinking about something unrealistic, or being idle". However, relearn and restore our ability to dream, wonder, imagine, envision, and believe that a better future is possible is closely connected to the reality we live in. When we are tired, exhausted, disappointed, or feeling extremely squeezed, we can't dream or have the capacity to dream of a better tomorrow. If our inner eyes are clouded by the harsh reality we are in, how can we dream up a better world? Remember, the world we want to live in begins as a dream.

As we make time an experience and rest a priority, we will have more space to dream. If you are able to remember, try to document the dreams you have when you are asleep. Notice the feelings that may come up. What could the dreams indicate?

Next time when you notice that your mind is drifting off and starting to wonder about "how else could life be?" Let it, allow it to expand into your own imagination. "What if I don't have to work 2 jobs?" "What if child care is available to me?" "What if I can live closer to my parents?" "What if I can rely on my community?" "What if I have funds to travel to my dream destination?" Notice how those visions and wonders may open up your heart and lead to new actions.

Space is expansive and boundless.

We need room. We need room for privacy, for protection, for safety, and for growth. We need room left and right, up and down, front and back, in and out. Many of us, especially those who live in crowded urban areas, think of "space" as a luxury. Even when we have physical space, because of overstimulation (meetings, small talks, internet content, etc.) we can feel "stuck" in things and cannot "stretch" easily. As a result, we may develop claustrophobia, social anxiety, hypervigilance, and other emotional or psychological challenges that can be disruptive and frustrating.

As we practice "creating time", "rest creatively", and "dream audaciously", we may notice our space opening up, expanding in all directions, and reaching beyond what you knew.

Next time when you feel stuck or anxious, take a deep breath (or two, or a few), let loose your chin and jaw, as well as your neck and shoulder; try to look ahead and around for as far as you can; notice the space around you expanding as you look.

If you have tried yoga, qigong, or meditation, you may know that certain activities help us expand our head space. You may also know that a daily leisure walk in neighborhoods, a hike on the weekend, a camping trip in the summer, or a day at the beach can make us feel better, think more clearly, and move through life with more ease. If movements are challenging, or nature is out of reach, or money is an issue, I encourage us to allow ourselves to rely on community. Is there a public library nearby where you can find a quiet space and simply read? Is there a neighbor or a friend who can go to a garden with you? Is there a community event near you that doesn't cost a fortune? For folks who experience hardships, be it physical, financial or relationship, it's very important to be part of a community or a village that will not only catch you, but also uplift you.

Abundance belongs to all of us.

Time, rest, dreaming and space are a few key principles of the abundance mindset. Other principles include active hope, village building, generosity, gratitude, love, joy, and more.

Abundance, as I write and talk about along the way, is not only about money, assets, resources, and materials, it's also very much about "the mindset the guides us through this life" and "how we feel and show up as a person, a community member, a partner, a participant in this world".

Abundance shouldn't only be available to the few. Abundance, as a mindset and a state, should be infused into our cultures, policy making, community agreements, village building, climate actions, urban planning, relationships (from personal to global levels), etc. The Abundance Mindset should be one of the guiding lights for humans as we are the stewards of this planet that is Earth, that we call home.

with abundant hope,

Zhou Fang 

A Chinese woman standing in a peony field. The flowers are pink and white. The woman is wearing a blue denim jacket. She wears glasses. Photo by Darren Shepard.