Scarcity Mentality

For a couple of weeks, I have been planning to write a blog post about my intentions [rather than resolutions] for the new year.  For me, intentions are something that I practice daily or weekly and generally they bring more success and fulfillment than an ambitious and unrealistic resolution.  I was going to write a thoughtful and inspiring post about this.  But I didn’t because the scarcity mentality – a term I borrow from Henri Nouwen – crept up on me. 

You see, just yesterday my dear friend Maeve wrote a beautiful blog post about the small steps she will take in the new year.  She talked about why steps work better for her than do resolutions.  They’re familiar, specific, attainable.  She eloquently wove words together to make a potentially boring or overdone topic into a “I’ve got to keep reading this” kind-of blog.  Naturally, after reading her post I thought: 

Oh no!  She has already written most of what I was going to say in my blog post [and she wrote it much more beautifully than I would have].  So there’s no need for me to write my post.  And in fact, it would be rude if I did.  There’s just not enough space for both of us to write about it, right? // scarcity mentality at it’s finest. 

Maeve and I had coffee together this morning.  Of course I told her how much I enjoyed her blog post and that I have had such similar thoughts recently. 

Well, you’re going to write about them [your similar thoughts], aren’t you?  she asked. 

Her question was a gift to me.  It spoke against the scarcity mentality.  It reminded me that there is enough space.  There is enough space in this internet world for us both to write on the same topic with similar thoughts.  Yes, there is enough space. 

I started writing the blog [this one] and that sneaky voice of scarcity spoke again. 

You’re going to share her blog post?  But what if your readers click on it, read her blog, love her blog, love it so much that they stop reading your blog? // this is the ugliness of the scarcity mentality. 

Luckily, I caught it.  I caught that nasty mentality and nipped it in the bud [until recently I thought the saying was “nipped it in the butt”.  So I’m happy to finally use it correctly and in writing–Thanks Jeff!]. 

So here I am telling you as directly as I can [and against the voice of the scarcity mentality] that you should go read Maeve’s blog post.  And keep on going back to read it. Her heart is alive. Her thoughts are genuine.  And her writing shows it. 

And here I am telling you that one of my new intentions for this year is to watch out for the scarcity mentality.  To give generously.  Share freely.  And recognize the truth that there is enough love and space and joy. 

My friend, you should know that there is enough for you too.  There is enough space to share your thoughts and knowledge.  There is enough love and joy to share with the people around you and still feel loved and joyful yourself.  So get on out there.  Share.  Give.  Show the world what you’ve got. // what your momma gave you.

And Maeve, when are we going to sit down, drink a cup of coffee, light a candle and write? // next to each other.  where there is abundant space for us both.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *