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Unlocking True Abundance: Discovering What Makes You Come Alive and How to Optimize for It

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When we think of abundance, we often picture financial wealth or material success. However, true abundance encompasses much more than just what we possess. It involves discovering what genuinely makes us feel alive, fulfilled, and in alignment with our purpose. To live abundantly means to focus on the areas of life that bring us joy, energy, and a sense of deep satisfaction. But how do we identify the form of abundance that resonates with us? And once we do, how can we optimize our lives to experience more of it?


Today, we will explore how to redefine abundance, discover what form makes you come alive, and implement practical steps to optimize your life for a truly abundant experience.

What Is Abundance? Expanding the Definition

Abundance is commonly associated with material wealth or possessions, but this definition is limited. True abundance is multidimensional, extending beyond financial success to include areas such as emotional well-being, relationships, personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment. It’s about living a life rich in meaning, purpose, and joy.

While money can bring comfort, research shows that beyond a certain point, increasing wealth does not significantly boost happiness. According to a study by Kahneman and Deaton (2010), emotional well-being levels off once basic needs are met, suggesting that fulfillment comes from other aspects of life. These include relationships, meaningful work, and experiences that align with one’s values and passions.

Therefore, abundance isn’t just about material gain—it’s about what truly makes you feel alive.

Identifying Your Unique Form of Abundance

The first step in living abundantly is discovering what kind of abundance resonates with you. This varies from person to person, as each individual finds joy and meaning in different areas of life. Here are some key questions to help identify your form of abundance:

  1. What gives you energy rather than drains it? Reflect on activities or relationships that leave you feeling rejuvenated. Whether it’s creative work, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones, abundance is often found in the things that energize us.

  2. When do you feel most connected to your purpose? Purpose and abundance are closely related. According to Steger (2012), living a purpose-driven life contributes significantly to long-term fulfillment and well-being. When you engage in activities that align with your sense of purpose, you’re likely to feel abundant in ways that transcend material gain.

  3. What brings you lasting joy? It’s important to distinguish between fleeting pleasures and deeper, more lasting forms of happiness. Research suggests that experiences, rather than material possessions, contribute more to sustained happiness (Gilovich & Kumar, 2015). Abundance can be found in experiences that create meaningful memories and foster personal growth.

Optimizing for the Abundance That Makes You Come Alive

Once you’ve identified what type of abundance resonates with you, the next step is to optimize your life to cultivate more of it. Here are several strategies to help you align your life with the things that make you feel most abundant:

1. Create Space for What Matters

In our busy lives, it’s easy to prioritize external demands over what truly nourishes us. To live abundantly, you must create intentional space for the things that matter most to you. This could mean scheduling regular time for creative projects, setting aside time for meaningful conversations, or carving out quiet moments for self-reflection.

Time management expert Laura Vanderkam (2016) emphasizes the importance of identifying your “core competencies”—the activities that are most important to your well-being—and making time for them in your daily routine. By focusing on what brings you joy, you’re better equipped to cultivate an abundant life.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for enhancing our sense of abundance. By staying present in the moment, we can better appreciate what we have and avoid focusing on what we lack. Research shows that practicing mindfulness increases feelings of well-being and reduces stress (Kabat-Zinn, 2023).

Gratitude also plays a significant role in optimizing for abundance. A study by Emmons and McCullough (2003) found that individuals who regularly practiced gratitude experienced higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. By acknowledging the abundance already present in your life, you can shift your mindset toward greater fulfillment.

3. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Abundance

Living abundantly often requires protecting your time and energy. Setting boundaries is essential to ensure that you are focusing on what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. This may involve saying “no” to commitments that don’t align with your values or letting go of relationships that drain your energy.

Research supports the idea that setting boundaries contributes to emotional well-being. A study by Berkman et al. (2014) found that individuals who maintain healthy personal boundaries experience lower levels of stress and greater life satisfaction. Protecting your abundance means being intentional about what you allow into your life.

4. Foster Meaningful Relationships

One of the most profound sources of abundance comes from human connection. Positive relationships with family, friends, and community members contribute to our overall sense of well-being (Diener & Seligman, 2002). By investing time and energy into nurturing these relationships, you’re likely to experience a deeper sense of abundance.

Make an effort to cultivate meaningful connections by engaging in activities that bring you closer to your loved ones, such as sharing meals, participating in group activities, or simply spending quality time together.

5. Align with Your Purpose

Living abundantly also means aligning your life with your purpose. Whether it’s through your career, hobbies, or volunteer work, finding ways to express your purpose will enhance your sense of fulfillment. According to Damon (2009), individuals who live purpose-driven lives report higher levels of satisfaction and well-being.


Take time to reflect on what gives your life meaning and purpose. Once you’ve identified this, explore how you can incorporate it more fully into your daily life.


Conclusion: The Ripple Effect of Abundance

Optimizing for abundance isn’t just about experiencing personal joy—it also creates a ripple effect that extends into all areas of your life. When you focus on the form of abundance that makes you come alive, you’re more energized, present, and fulfilled. This positivity spills over into your relationships, work, and overall quality of life.


Remember, abundance is not a finite resource. By discovering what makes you feel most alive and intentionally creating space for it in your life, you’ll unlock deeper levels of fulfillment that go beyond material wealth.


References

  • Berkman, L. F., Glass, T., Brissette, I., & Seeman, T. E. (2014). From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium. Social Science & Medicine, 51(6), 843-857. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00065-4

  • Damon, W. (2009). The path to purpose: How young people find their calling in life. Free Press.

  • Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13(1), 81-84. DOI: 10.1111/1467-9280.00415


  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.84.2.377


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