Aryn Henning Nichols

Sources of abundance surround us in summer. Prairies are infused with colorful wildflowers in bloom. Rivers and waterfalls flow through lush green landscapes. The sound of chirping birds permeates the air. Seemingly endless days of sunshine offer ample opportunities for delight. 

According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word abundance means having “more than enough.” Our capacity to experience abundance, then, is only limited by what we consider enough. 

We can seek abundance in the material world, of course, but our potential for abundance expands when we look for it in connection with others, nature, and meaningful experiences. There are, simply put, abundant ways to find abundance in all things, little or big. 

Yet, we cannot (and should not) attempt to capitalize on every opportunity extended our way. The fact remains that our time, energy, and resources are limited. Too much of anything (even a good thing) can lead to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and exhaustion. Abundance without limits leads to excess and extremes.

We can take a lesson directly from the seasons. Nature teaches us that abundance is more circular than constant. Summer, the season of abundance and growth, is followed by autumn, a season of harvest and decay. When life is abundant, we can relish in the joy, nourishment, and generosity that springs forth. When that wanes, we can practice gratitude for what remains. If we trust in the seasons, we know abundance will come again.   

Abundance vs. Scarcity 

We are not all conditioned to seek out (or notice) sources of abundance. In fact, our life experiences may have primed us to notice the opposite – scarcity. 

Scarcity is defined as “lack” or “situations in which something is not easy to find or get.” 

A scarcity mindset can feel like a lifetime of winter – when resources, opportunities, and second chances are few and far between. Endless winter can create a “survival of the fittest” mentality. It’s only natural that when we feel resources are scarce, we fight to obtain them. 

This can lead us to hoard any resources we are given because we believe those resources are finite. If the choice is between sharing and starving, few will choose to starve.  

A scarcity mindset can also breed jealousy, making us believe that another person’s prosperity is our demise, or that their needs are getting met at the expense of our own. When we believe opportunities are limited, we may act outside of our values to obtain success. We may lie, cheat, and steal if we believe we’ve only got one chance to win. 

On the flip side, people with an abundance mindset believe life is filled with ample opportunities for success, growth, and connection. We are not blind to failure or setbacks. The difference is, when something does not work out, people with an abundance mindset know that another chance is just around the corner. We see hard times as an opportunity to learn. 

An abundance mindset also allows us to be more generous with our resources. We share what we have in excess, knowing it will come back around to us. We do not need to compete with others. We can celebrate their wins, knowing their success does not mean our failure. 

Abundance and Generosity

Unfortunately, we do not live in a society where everyone is given equal access to resources and opportunities. In truth, many people face real inequities based on race, gender, sex, class, sexual orientation, and more. And being born into scarcity can be a difficult pattern to break.

When we find ourselves in a season of abundance, it can be helpful – to ourselves and society – to lean into generosity. Having access to anything in abundance allows us to share, and oftentimes, generosity can lead to a greater abundance. For example, if we volunteer our time, it comes back to us in gratitude. If we share our resources, it can enhance our sense of purpose. When we give freely to others, our sense of community and connection grows. 

Think about areas of your life where you have more than you need. It could be time, resources, energy, or insight. How can you share that with others? How might that impact your passion and purpose in life?

Abundance vs. Accumulation 

Abundance without generosity can lead to accumulation or excess. Hoarding too much stuff overwhelms our physical space. Overfilling our schedules leaves us unconnected and exhausted. There really can be too much of a good thing.

In a world of endless options, we need boundaries. We must know when and how to say “no.” As difficult as it may be, boundaries free us up to say “yes” to things that truly make us feel abundant. 

We cannot accept abundant opportunities when we do not have space for them, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to leave room in our lives for abundance to flow through. 

When we free ourselves from excess, we can appreciate the little things. We have time to sit, listen, and play. We have the capacity to connect with the people around us and nurture our most important relationships. We can mindfully embrace our current abundance and foster the chance for more.

Abundance Glimmers

Another way we can cultivate an abundance mindset is by looking for abundance glimmers. 

Abundance glimmers are little sources of joy, positivity, optimism, gratitude, or generosity that exist all around us. They are small moments we might otherwise take for granted. They are reminders that we have more than enough. 

Glimmers can be simple: Working in a garden, stopping to appreciate a view, or listening to music. A favorite drink or meal from a restaurant. Fresh sheets, open windows, or fluffy towels. An entire day off from work. Sometimes glimmers come from others, too, like when a child draws us a picture, a stranger gives us a compliment, or a loved one offers to help with something we need. 

Everyone is going to have different sources of abundance. What makes you feel abundant? Take a moment to ponder that question.

Finding Balance in Abundance   

As with all areas of life, we feel best when we achieve a sense of balance. When we have abundance in one area of life, but feel scarcity in another, how can we find greater balance? Perhaps, we can transfer resources from an area of excess, into another area that’s lacking. 

Try making a Wheel of Life in the worksheet following this article to help visualize different aspects of your life, like your health, social and home settings, entertainment, and more. Consider areas that feel unbalanced. 

For example, if endless career opportunities have been afforded to you, but they limit opportunities for fun and recreation, maybe it’s time to hire an assistant or think about bringing on an intern to mentor in your field. Or if finances are abundant, maybe you can spare some money to improve your health or physical environment. 

Get creative as you approach greater balance, and therefore, more meaningful abundance. 

Abundance for Life 

Each of us has a different idea of abundance. Thinking about things that make us feel abundant, looking for abundance glimmers, and considering areas where we have abundance to share can lead to a more fulfilling life.

When we encounter setbacks, we can lean into sources of support in the community around us. Remember that seeking the help of a licensed therapist can be another source of support. Knowing when to ask for help is an important part of creating a balanced life. 

When we rely on others, it may feel like we have nothing to offer in exchange. However, no matter who you are, you have something to offer. Your presence is often more than enough. 

An abundant life does not mean that everything is always overflowing. It does not even mean that life is easy or smooth. Instead, we can learn to look for sources of abundance in the simplicity of a mindful life. We can cultivate moments of abundance by being more present with others and grateful for what we have. When life gives us seasons of abundance, we can enhance the experience by sharing it with others. And we can prepare for seasons of lack by developing an abundance mindset. We can take comfort in the knowledge that something beautiful is always right around the corner. 

Olivia Lynn Schnur

Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDR Certified Therapist, Certified Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master. Her mental health writing is designed to inspire, educate and uplift readers. You can learn more about Olivia, or book a yoga session, at oliviaschnur.com. 

“What makes you feel metaphorically wealthy?” I was posed this question in a newsletter last year, and it sat with me for a long time, tickling the edges of my brain with little pockets of delight. What makes me feel abundant? What makes me feel vibrant and lucky and taken care of?

I started with some little things: A whole pizza. Herbs on food. Beginning a new book series. Then I went a little bigger: TSA precheck. Nicely framed art. Monthly massages.

But it can be hard to feel like there’s any abundance of good things in the world when your grocery bill ratchets up, there’s no time for a summer vacation, your car breaks down…you get the idea. Bad stuff happens. And it always will. But you mustn’t forget that good stuff happens too. And it always will.

Approaching life with an abundance mindset can help make those harder times feel just a little bit easier. 

Much of an abundance mindset lives in the ability to believe. In yourself, in the world, in the future, and in the big, beautiful, unknown universe of possibilities. It also lives in the ability to hold gratitude for your current reality.

The way I see it, there are three aspects of an abundance mindset.

Manifesting abundance: Believe that good things will come your way. They have before, why not again? Set intentions and activate your faith in the universe.

Recognizing abundance: Focus on the good things in your life and let yourself feel happy about them. Savor them. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a positive feedback loop, and we’re allowed to utilize this tool whenever we want. It doesn’t mean the bad stuff is gone; it’s just a reminder that we don’t have to carry it all the time. 

Cultivating abundance: Make a plan to bring more abundance into your life. Buy some fresh herbs. Wash your sheets. Make an Abundance Jar (click here for a template & prompts!). Set goals and go after them.

To start building an abundance mindset, try practicing an Upward Spiral of Gratitude. Gratitude produces dopamine and boosts serotonin, making you feel good. Instead of spiraling down, you spiral up. I promise: If you look for gratitude, you will find it.

Start by tuning into your senses. Close your eyes, breathe, and focus on what you hear, feel, or taste that makes you feel grateful. A warm cup of coffee, a cool breeze, the smell of fresh bread, etc. Then open your eyes and look around. What fills you with gratitude? Maybe knowing there’s food in the fridge, a sleeping dog at your feet, or fresh flowers on your table. Focus on those things and let yourself feel happy. Repeat as often as needed.

When you change your perspective, you change your reality. Remember though: People can change, but you can’t change other people. Your abundance mindset is for you, and you alone. Other people’s abundance will likely be totally different from yours. Don’t compare, and don’t allow other’s opinions to sour your thoughts on what makes you feel abundant.

Generally, there is always something that is working well in every person’s life. Focus on what’s going well in yours, and tap into that gratitude, happiness, and fulfillment. We live in a glorious, complex, abundant world, friends. Let’s grab hold of the good this summer.

XOXO – Aryn

ARYN’S CURRENT ABUNDANCE LIST:

Monthly massages
Frothy coffee
Herbs on food
Cloth napkins
Nicely framed art
TSA precheck
Fizzy water
Clean sheets
A whole pizza
Beginning a new book series 
Car wash tokens
Time with my besties

9 Ways to Recognize Abundance

1. Live in the possibilities
You can’t know the future. Let go of your limiting beliefs and imagine what good could come.

2. Say Affirmations of Abundance
Try these: “Even if I lost everything, I am surrounded by people who would help me rebuild.”
“I am resilient. I have handled many challenges in the past.”
“I am creative and resourceful, so I will always be able to find a path forward.”

3. Celebrate wins big and small. Celebrate other people’s wins, too

4. Be Mindful of a Scarcity Mindset
When you notice a feeling of scarcity in your statements, try reframing them.
Instead of “I can’t do that because I’m too busy,” say, “I’m not prioritizing that right now.” 
“I don’t have the money for that,” becomes “I don’t have the money for that yet.”
“I can’t do it,” becomes “I’m going to learn how.”

5. You Are What You Think
When you focus on things you don’t like, you’re more likely to notice other things you don’t like in life.
When you focus on things you do like, you’ll see more of those.
And when you tune into what you want in the future, you start seeing paths toward that future. 

6. Ask Yourself Questions
A little introspection can open up possibilities. What do you feel when you’re seeking abundance? Who has a positive influence on your life? What do you do when you’re not feeling abundant? What little things make you feel metaphorically wealthy?

7. Turn problems into puzzles of possibility.
How can you solve this in a creative way? When you believe change is possible, your brain starts noticing solutions. The more you do this, the more confident you become in your ability to create change.

8. Make an Abundance Jar!
Write down the things that make you feel abundant. Put them in a jar and pull them out whenever you’re feeling low. Check out our templates and prompts here!

9. Practice an Upward Spiral of Gratitude!
Gratitude produces dopamine and boosts serotonin, making you feel good. Instead of spiraling down, you spiral up. If you look for gratitude, you will find it. Tune into your senses and note the things around you that make you feel grateful. Repeat as needed.

For artist Pete Sandker, painting in the Driftless and living in the Driftless are forever intertwined.

“The patterns and cycles of nature, the flowers and birds changing with the months, summer and winter constellations in the night sky. All of that is permanently in there, in the place where my paintings come from,” Pete says. “There is no separating it.”

As a child growing up outside of Soldier’s Grove, Wisconsin, Pete spent his days soaking in nature, spending time out in the woods or helping with the goats his family raised. Living deep in the valley with no neighbors exposed him to the solitude and peace that nature can bring. 

As an adult, Pete still seeks that calm in the natural world. He often finds it in the areas around his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he initially moved for school. He was planning to complete a Physical Therapy Assistant program but withdrew shortly before classes started. He decided he was more interested in art.

“I never planned on being a painter, though. It never seemed like a viable option for a career, so I’ve had a lot of different jobs in my life,” he explains. He especially enjoyed being a landscaper, savoring his time working outside in beautiful locations. Then, when he had free time, Pete created art as a hobby. But he started thinking maybe it could be more than a hobby when he noticed a call for artists at the Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove. “On a whim, I applied and got accepted,” he says. “The response was so positive and encouraging, it changed my life forever.”

That was over a decade ago. The art community welcomed Pete with open arms, and he realized his calling was to capture the beauty of the natural world through art. He has since taken his skilled watercolor work to art shows, fairs, and galleries across the region.

Pete loves experiencing nature wherever he is. He can walk from his La Crosse home to public forest lands and takes advantage of that opportunity as often as possible. And when he’s on the road, he finds other spots to explore.

“As long as my mind is clear and free of distraction, I can connect with the mystery and beauty of nature pretty much anywhere” he says.

But even after traveling all over, the Driftless calls him back every time. 

“I love the simple beauty of the Driftless Region. There are no towering mountains or huge waterfalls or crashing waves like in other parts of the country. Those things are incredibly beautiful, and I love them, but with all that awe and wonder, having your breath taken away… there is this other feeling, almost a mild stress from being overwhelmed,” he explains. “Here, there are endless rolling hills and quiet mist-filled valleys, slow rivers, welcoming forests. I just feel more at peace here.”

The quiet moments of peace are where Pete tends to find his inspiration. He will look around, marvel in the beauty of nature, and an idea will spark. “Even some interesting lichen on a tree in the middle of the city can be inspiring,” he says.

He describes his art as “watercolor with an interpretive view of nature,” saying his approach “mixes realism and detail with whimsy, creating unexpected images and shapes, hopefully telling a story unique to each person who sees it.” Pete’s creations tend to feature wildlife, plants, insects, foliage, and bodies of water, all intertwined in complex, detailed depictions. With closer examination, there are often little secrets and nuances to admire. 

“What I like most about watercolors is the way they can transform from a solid bright line to a flowing wave of color and patterns,” Pete says. “They have a life of their own. You can plan out what you want them to do but sometimes it’s like they make their own choices.”

Pete loves to take this a step further and capture movement – especially water or wind – in his paintings.

“Lakes, waterfalls, even just a trickle of spring runoff, you can feel a certain energy from water, like we are just meant to interact with it,” he says with enthusiasm. The same kind of energy exists on a windy day. 

“Wind in the leaves, waving the grass in a meadow, the feel of that invisible force is so mysterious and calming. No matter the weather, if there’s wind, I am happy. Even in the dead of winter, there is nothing quite as exhilarating as hearing the wind at night, howling through the naked trees.”

Pete’s planning new energy within his own life and work as well. He will attend art festivals across Minnesota and Wisconsin this summer, and has new projects on the docket, like a coffee table art book that will incorporate his paintings and descriptions, and a little further down the line, a future children’s book. In the meantime, he continues to find peace, solitude, and inspiration at home in La Crosse. The region seems to always give his art life, he says. “The Driftless has been nothing but a positive experience for me.”

Sara Walters

Sara Walters is a writer based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has been a contributor to Inspire(d) since 2018. 

See Pete Sander & his art at a 2025 Art Festival!

June 6-8: Edina Art Festival, Edina, MN 
June 14: Artspire, La Crosse, WI
July 12-13: Art Fair Off the Square, Madison, WI
July 19-20: ArtFest, Green Bay, WI
July 26-27: Art at the Park, Appleton, WI
August 2-3: DBQfest, Dubuque, IA
August 9-10: Art in the Park, Lake Geneva, WI
August 16-17: Festival of the Arts, Oconomowoc, WI
September 6-7: Wausau Festival of the Arts, Wausau, WI 
September 20-21: Driftless Area Art Festival – Soldiers Grove, WI
October 4: Waunakee Artisan Market, Waunakee, WI