We Have All That We Need
Ever feel like you’re always chasing after what you don’t have, thinking it’s the missing piece to happiness? The key lies in recognizing the abundance you already have in your life.
How often have you heard someone say that nothing you receive in the future will solve the challenges you are facing today? I have also heard many people say that God gives you everything you need for the current season of your life. While both sentiments sound comforting, they often do not feel as good as they sound.
We live in a world where, within a single parking lot, you can find cars that vary drastically in price—some beyond your means, others more affordable. On our phones, we are constantly exposed to the lives of people who have the careers, bodies, or impact we desire. It is natural for our brains to crave more, to aspire to be better than we are. But when we are constantly confronted with others’ achievements, how can we truly accept where we are in life?
Last year, I repeatedly reminded myself, “I have all that I need.” There were times when I lived with very little, but I made it through. When we feel dissatisfied with where we are and fail to appreciate the resources we currently have, this mindset only deepens our discontent. If I had to visualize this thought process, I would compare it to a virus, attaching itself to a once-positive thought of contentment and turning it negative. If we are unhappy with our financial situation, we may start feeling discontent with our work as well, even if we once enjoyed it. Over time, this mindset affects our mood, and being in a state of dissatisfaction can influence how we treat others.
See what I mean? Simply focusing on what we do not have will not help us reach our goals. Interestingly, what propels us toward our goals is the recognition that we already have everything we need. The way I laughed internally when I was journaling about this concept, what are the odds? If you are not satisfied with your financial situation, you can create a plan to reduce debt or find a job that pays what you want. When we begin to see our desires as milestones along the journey—rather than the final destination—it changes our perspective. What we have today, whether it is people, mentors, or even our mindset, are the tools we need for the next stage in life. It is about using these resources to elevate ourselves further.
Of course, this is easier said than done. At the moment when the scale is not moving, your debt is not decreasing, or your goals seem distant, it is hard not to feel discouraged. Dwelling on what you lack or what you cannot attain will only deepen feelings of hopelessness. But in those moments, it is important to pause and acknowledge your feelings of inadequacy or stagnation. These feelings are real, and they matter because they reflect the truth of your experience. It is crucial to allow yourself to fully feel them because it is often in these moments of raw emotion that clarity emerges. After truly processing how you feel, you will find the mental space to create a plan.
This process can help you gain insight into the habits you need to change, the behaviors to prioritize, and how to better manage your time. When you align your actions with your intentions, real progress starts to happen.
Choose action over wishing. Focus on what is within your control, not what is out of your reach. Celebrate the small wins along the way so that you do not constantly seek external validation for the progress you are making toward your goals. That is how you begin to creep towards what you want in life because, again, you do indeed have all that you need.