One of the first things that I have been thinking about in terms of abundance, and living an abundant life is the fact that we already live in abundance if we look at most people in the world and our freedoms, opportunities and the day and age in which we live.
I spent 6 months in Cape Verde, West Africa back about 10 years ago and to look at life in a 1st world country as compared to life in a 3rd world country is extraordinary. It is something that you just do not understand unless you’ve been there. Everything from the sounds and smells and weather and people makes you realize the difference that exists in different cultures.
The per capita income in Cape Verde is about $1400 per year (most people there are fishermen). Granted, they do not have near the expenses that we have, but with that lack also comes the lack of necessities like a roof over their head and basic health care and education. When I was there, I contracted what I think was pink eye in both eyes and had no way to get medication or care from a doctor. Both eyes were crusted over for a few days and it was really painful. Here, I could have gotten medication or care of some sort, but not there so we have to first understand that the fact that we live in a developed country means that, compared to the rest of the world we would be considered “Abundant”.
So what’s the problem? Why can’t we seem to be happy with what we have and how we live?
Part of the problem is that comparing ourselves to someone else is like comparing apples to oranges. My neighbors and I come from such different backgrounds and cultures that it is hard to compare us, let alone people half way around the world, so when we say “compared to the rest of the world” comments, it doesn’t answer our question much. I think that if we are looking at the world population as a whole, we could make that comparison, but the point of my posts and what I am thinking about on this topic is to think about abundance for us individually.
Any thoughts?
