» By: Ken Donaldson

Abundance...this word has become quite popular these days as one of the latest “metaphysical buzzwords”. “Creating abundance”, “manifesting abundance”, and “living the abundant life” are just a few of the abundance of abundant clichés these days. All of these sayings are trying to convince us that this abundant Life is just out there waiting for us to step into it. So you may be asking the $50,000,000 question: “How do I do that?” Quite frankly, I’m not sure I have all the answers to that but I do have some ideas that I thought I might share with you. Actually, I have only one idea (“brilliant simplicity”...maybe the next great buzz-phrase?!!): Be ye not redundant.

There are 2 old sayings that come to mind around this redundancy theory. The first is, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten”. And the second is, “The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over again, expecting a different outcome.” You have very likely heard these before so let me give you my “rocket-science” version: If you want more and you’re not currently getting more with your current choices, then just do it differently. Amazing, huh??!! Many times simple and less IS better. In other words, don’t be redundant in living your Life.

Redundancy may be unconsciously (or consciously)attractive because of it’s predictable familiarity. If you’ve already done “it” then you are bound to be more comfortable doing “it” again. Comfort, predictability, and familiarity, however, may all be roadblocks to abundance. So perhaps the choice is weather or not you are willing to go out on a limb (by the way, that IS where all the fruit is!!) and take a risk into unchartered territory.

If you look back over your Life you will find numerous examples of your courageous risk-taking that lead to abundance. Many of these events took place when you were very young and were not conditioned to “play it safe”, but rather, you were in full exploratory mode. Examples include your first spoken words and the abundance of conversations you have had since then; your first step and the endless transportation of your body ever since; your first bicycle riding experience and the countless hours (some of which included “no hands”) of cruising this earth on those two wheeled machines; and your first interaction with a stranger that has enabled you to meet numerous “strangers”, many of which are now your friends and loved-ones.

The concept and meaning of abundance is all about living Life to your fullest capacity. Here’s the REALLY good news: You are wired for abundance. Take a look around and you will see that the three elements that you need the most are found in practically unlimited abundance: Light, water and food. Furthermore, a squirrel never frets about where it will find it’s next meal, nor does a tree concern itself with ever being without enough sunlight. Don’t you think you are as important as these? They live in abundance, so why shouldn’t you??!! You have an abundantly brilliant mind and an abundantly creative spirit, both of which are waiting for you to use them abundantly. So why waste your gifts with the redundant? Here’s the short Nike-like version: Just do it differently!!

Here are a couple ideas to get you started:

• Drive to work a different way everyday.
• Read a magazine that you’ve never read before.
• Talk to a stranger that you would normally walk past.
• Write a letter to yourself with your non-dominant hand.
• Get up extra early and stay up extra late.
• Listen to music that you’ve never listened to.
• Eat at a restaurant that you’d normally not go to.
• Create a list of ten abundant affirmations for your Life and carry yourself through each day believing in them and acting from them.
• Talk to your Higher Power more frequently.

If you want abundance, then give up redundance and just simply “do it differently”. You will be pleasantly surprised with your results.

Ken Donaldson has been based in Tampa Bay offering counseling, coaching, and educational programs since 1987. His REALationship Coaching programs empower people to have more successful lives, businesses and relationships by building a powerful relationship with themselves first. Visit his website at http://www.REALationshipCoach.com for more information and sign-up his free e-program Illuminations and Sparks of Brilliance. Ken is also the author of the upcoming book Marry YourSelf First!