It’s pouring here, hasn’t stopped for the last 2 days.
I’ve never thought about abundance much until I sat down and wrote prompts for my workshop last Sunday. Sure, I’ve had thoughts about how nature is amazing for all that it provides and how selfish we are to exploit it. But I never thought it applied to me in any way. It’s a little difficult to attempt journaling prompts myself when I’m moderating the workshop, but the insights from the sharing circle stuck with me. One of the participants said she never thought that abundance could be associated with anything but finances. Another realised that creativity-related prompts were tougher to answer than she had assumed. Most of them didn’t even realise abundance can manifest in so many different aspects of their lives - and we only chose 6 out of the 12 areas we came up with for the workshop! I encourage you to go over these 12 types and use it as journaling fodder for yourself. Maybe list down the ways in which abundance is showing up in these areas of your own life.
1. Love: Abundance of affection and meaningful relationships.
Recently all the love I received has been given to me by my partner and my pets. Slowly but steadily, I am also receiving more affection from my father. My international and long-distance friends have been reaching out more. But there is more that I could be doing to invest in the relationships that hold great meaning for me. That probably begins with identifying the ones I do want to grow and deepen.
2. Health: Abundance of physical well-being and vitality.
Yoga has been a game-changer in my life. I found it after a year of no exercise, mostly because I was too tired from the 9-6 job. When I decided to quit, I also decided to invest in yoga classes and slowly changed my eating habits to intermittent fasting again! Eating well but only twice has freed up my time from planning three meals and cooking, but has also made my body feel lighter.
3. Wealth: Abundance of financial resources and material possessions.
Everything always comes back to this, no? We are learning to budget as per our own needs and without any pressure from our parents - I love this side effect of Josh and I living together. We talk through our money, allocate budgets, and prioritize the things we need to buy. We are both actively investing what we can. How do you go about your finances?
4. Time: Abundance of free time and moments to enjoy life.
Seriously, there is an unquantifiable bravery if you are brown and choose to have free time. True free time. Where you do nothing, or do something that isn’t directly related to or adding on to your career. Now that I finally have some, I feel rested and more content than I have in a long time. Being able to spend your time as you wish is a luxury though and not one that most people can enjoy. How do you carve time for yourself in your schedule?
5. Opportunities: Abundance of chances for growth, learning, and advancement.
I have been procrastinating a lot on studying for my certificate course! I have some deadlines approaching but I also know I have some time so the urgency is non-existent. It’s a self-paced course though, and so is The Artist’s Way. I know I have been learning so much because of the latter. Not to mention all the cool collaborations on events and workshops I have brewing!
6. Creativity: Abundance of ideas, inspiration, and artistic expression.
Someone in a group chat recently said that they struggle with being inspired. Easier said than done, but I think it requires listening to your inner child and see what they want to do. Mine sometimes wants to play with oil pastels and other times wants to DIY a t-shirt. I also recently tried my hand at collaging and it makes my inner child oh so happy!!!
After the workshop, I drew this silly doodle using markers and a pen.
7. Gratitude: Abundance of appreciation for the things and people around you.
I struggle with this one. I truly truly do. Should I be telling people I appreciate them more than I do? Should I include a little list in my journal every morning? Is listing glimmers enough? Do I come across as an ungrateful bitch?
8. Support: Abundance of help and encouragement from others.
My first-born brown daughter ass hates asking for help. I am too independent for my own good and I have been raised by proud self-made parents. At the same time, my dad tells me stories of his friends who lent him some money when he needed to invest and came to help make products when an unexpectedly large order came through. And so I try, and it gets easier with practice to reach out with a simple “hey I needed your help with something”.
9. Joy: Abundance of happiness and moments of pleasure.
Glimmers is a concept that opposes triggers. They are small moments or tiny observations that make us feel calm, make us happy, or bring us joy even when we are feeling down. I list 3-6 such moments through the day and every silly thing is included like my pets chasing each other or a friend reaching out. I am not the most consistent, but it helps me realise that life is an amalgamation of these tiny golden moments.
10. Knowledge: Abundance of information, education, and wisdom.
Recently, I dusted the cobwebs off my Business Psychology section of my brain and it felt SO good to use the knowledge I spent 2 years and countless (digital) papers on. Education isn’t information however and new research comes out every minute. And information isn’t wisdom. A recent nugget of wisdom I received from my 93-year old friend - becoming a writer is also a work of consistency i.e. writing whether you want to or no, showing up on the page every day, choosing to write instead of other things.
11. Nature: Abundance of natural beauty and resources.
This is difficult to remember in the monsoon. My favourite season although it’s highly inconvenient especially if you live in the city and everything comes to a standstill. An artist friend told me that every monsoon she goes into hibernation - stays at home, looks out of the window, makes her art and doesn’t really socialize much. The cosy weather and beautiful green of the nature around her inspire her and also allow her to create slowly and more mindfully. She emerges from the monsoon with fresh energy for the market season. I might try this out for myself.
12. Spirituality: Abundance of inner peace and connection to a higher power or purpose.
Meditation is a difficult habit to build. I started off great as in, consistent but very distracted. I sat through my 15 minutes though, and over time it got easier until I took a break. Now I meditate when I find myself needing it most, but it’s going to be a difficult habit to build - I just know it!
I’m sure there are more areas of life in which abundance can manifest, ones not included in this list. If you’ve thought of any, tell me in the comments!
I have a few workshops brewing for August, and more details will follow! I also have a few guest writers in mind, so keep your eye out for a newsletter that doesn’t sound like me.
For people living in India:
I’m travelling soon, and I usually carry some postcards and pens with me. Last time I was in Goa and hosted a postcard giveaway with some original art I made live of the sceneries from my trip. I’ll be doing one between August 4 and August 10th on my Art Instagram, so give a follow to participate! It’s first come first serve and last time, and last time all 4 postcards were gone in under 3 minutes! I’ll try to do more than 4 this time though.
Vedi’s Postcard Club!
Apparently, paid subscriptions on Substack aren’t fully accessible to India yet, but I’ve been thinking of starting my own Postcard Club so I did it! I have a Patreon now, and a membership tier makes you a part of my Postcard Club.
This Postcard Club allows me to combine my love for art, sending postcards, and writing personalised messages. It allows you to receive affordable original art, develop a low-effort hobby for collecting postcards and hopefully encourage you to send out your own!
Every month, you will receive a postcard dedicated to you with artwork I make specially for the club's members. For subscribers of this Postcard Club, there will also be some bonus content including newsletters, giveaways and goodies! The monthly subscription is USD 3 = approximately INR 250.
Encouraging abundance of all the good things to your lives,
Vedi
Love and Abundance is something we all get from everyone but sometimes that love isn't what we think. I recently got a nasty shock from a friend with whom I shared some of the most difficult moments in life, that too when I was in an unfamiliar city with 85 odd strangers around me.
After this I don't know what love is now, is it something that I see almost on a Saturday Rainy Morning on my way to work in Bus Number 60 when school/college sweethearts travel together to enjoy the rains at Borivali National Park or is it something that hurts you by showering the fake concern?!
Dunno! Just eternally confused
Love this! ❤️