“Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.” — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
No, I am not going to be talking about personal motivation or how to succeed at business. However I do think the concepts of scarcity and abundance play a role in all facets of life.
Take organized religion for example, it seems for centuries religious leaders taught that there was a limited amount of love that God had and would dole out, and whether one’s faith was Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. there was only one way to go to be a recipient of God’s favor. Such a way of thinking ignores the reality that God’s love is infinite and his love is not a piece of pie.
Wars are fought over perceptions of scarcity and abundance, and discrimination is very much driven by beliefs in limited resources. How much of political thought today is driven by a mistaken discussion over dividing the pie and abundance?
Witness how children fight and manipulate each other to garner a parent’s attention in the mistaken belief that a parent’s love is limited. I think one of the greatest lessons a parent can teach his or her children is that their love is limitless, and is not a factor of behavior. Yet, remember the famous parable of The Prodigal Son to realize how ingrained is the battle over parental love.
Consider as you meditate your behavior and mindset. Is it driven by a scarcity mentality? I know mine has certainly been and continues. So how do I change? Or should I? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What I do know is my life has been abundant beyond the dreams of avarice. How do I become better at sharing my abundance?
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