THE SCARCITY MENTALITY VS ABUNDANCE MENTALITY - Cynthia Nwajiobi

Source: Trendy-Writes

Imagine that you and I are walking down the street.
You breathe in and breathe out. I breathe in and breathe out. We both need oxygen to survive. Would you worry that there would not be enough oxygen for both of us? Of course not—air is abundant. 

I was having a conversation about a week ago with a friend who resides in Lagos. I told him about my Lagos experience when I came to visit- the rush to get into a bus, the terrible traffic, people's impatience and all. Of course this is the normal Lagos lifestyle. He then told me that he has lived in Lagos all his life and he can't imagine living anywhere else because he enjoys Lagos a lot. I was surprised to hear this from him because his lifestyle didn't match the stereotypical Lagos lifestyle. How then does a person like this enjoy Lagos? He went further to say that the problem with most Lagosians is that they have a scarcity mentality. Why struggle for a bus when there would still be a lot of available buses after that? Why complain about the traffic when it's already expected, and you would eventually get to your destination? Why jump a queue when it would still get to your turn if you follow the queue accordingly?

The abundance mentality knows that there is ENOUGH TO GO ROUND. The scarcity mentality thinks there is NOT ENOUGH for EVERYONE.
I was also speaking to a friend, and I asked him why he didn't travel home for the celebrations last Christmas, and his reply was that he needs to hustle and get some money, and that traveling home won't fetch him money. I had to ask him, "so if you don't make money this Christmas, you won't get any other chance to make money?" Christmas is a time to unite with the family and spend quality time with your loved ones. I told him, "though we don't wish for bad but what if something happened with your mum's health and that was the last time you had to spend with her, would you have preferred chasing money or coming home?" And that changed his mood and got him thinking. There's always time to chase money, but there's not always time to be with our loved ones because we are not promised tomorrow.
The scarcity mentality makes us forget the most important things in life (things money can't buy) and put all our attention on less important things (things money can buy). 

Features of the scarcity mentality

1. The scarcity mentality is PESSIMISTIC.
2. Thinks that there is not enough for everyone, and therefore struggles over everything as though everything is a do or die affair.
3. Is not generous. Because s/he thinks that there is not enough to go round, hoards the one s/he has acquired.
4. Is barely ever grateful; Since he feels there isn't enough and doesn't get his own share of the pie whenever he wants it becomes ungrateful and not happy for others.
5. Is judgemental about others and barely appreciates others.
6. Focuses on and notices SCARCITY in life.
7. Jealous of other people.
8. The scarcity mentality can deplete one's energy, since they struggle and stress over everything.
9. The scarcity mentality is based on fear.

Features of the abundance mentality 

1. The abundance mentality is OPTIMISTIC.
2. Knows that there is ENOUGH to go round.
3. Is grateful. Because he knows that the pie is sufficient for all, and even if the pie doesn't get to him at the moment, there's definitely going to be another round.
4. Is generous. He's willing to share, because he knows that he can barely run short of resources.
5. The abundance mentality is based on trust.
6. Focuses on and notices ABUNDANCE in life.
7. People with abundance mentality are open-minded and flexible.
8. They celebrate and recognize other people.

At the end of the day, both scarcity and abundance remains what it is- a mentality; a mindset. It all depends on your perception of things. After reading this article, you need not be told of the kind of mindset to imbibe. Get your mind right! Most of the problems we have starts from our mind. Always tell yourself, "there's enough to go round. That I didn't get it now doesn't mean I wouldn't get it some other time". It is important that we apply the abundance mentality in all situations. LESS WORRY, MORE FAITH!