Abundant love. Abundant life.

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Having it all! Isn’t that what most of us want and doesn’t it sometimes feel like everyone else has it better?

Whether it’s more money, a successful spouse, an amazing career, bigger house, expensive car – it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that material prosperity is essential to living abundantly. I can tell you from experience that it’s not.

Obviously we need money to exist in the world. The necessities of food, shelter, clothing as well as all the other essentials of modern-day living have to be purchased. And it’s great to have luxuries that make our lives easier and more pleasurable. Yet there is so much more to life than material wealth. And the beautiful truth is that the things that give our life meaning and depth can’t be purchased.

“The best things in life aren’t things.” ― Art Buchwald

Unfortunately, I learnt this lesson the hard way. As a young woman I appeared to have an enviable lifestyle. I was a well paid professional, with no family commitments. I presented as a self-assured, carefree individual who worked and played hard. Surely I had everything going for me? Actually, nothing could have been further from the truth.

Everything about me was a fake. I wore the mask of confidence and the costume of abundance. But underneath I was a complete physical and mental wreck. Alcoholism was costing me everything I possessed and depression was dragging me into suicidal depths. Being tortured by the nightmares of my past, bearing the shame of my addiction and believing that life was futile made a near fatal combination.

I had lost it all and hit rock bottom in every way conceivable. But although it was the worst time of my life, it also became the turning point. As I started to put my life together again I realised that even though my finances only met the most basic needs, I could appreciate my existence on a totally new level. It wasn’t easy or instantaneous.

Gradually rejecting anything that had left me spiritually and emotionally bankrupt, I was eventually free enough to embrace everything that enriched my mind, body and soul. I reclaimed my faith, found the courage to heal and started on a journey of previously unimaginable riches.

My greatest treasure of all was learning how to love and be loved. All the money in the world couldn’t replace the joy and happiness I have experienced through love in my life. Strangers, acquaintances, friends or family – it doesn’t matter where the love comes from. What matters is that I can accept it, cherish it and reciprocate genuine heart-felt affection.

Indira Gandhi said “Where there is love, there is life.” For me, that’s an insightful truth. And whilst I’d love to be better off financially I can count myself as rich as any wealthy tycoon. Because I don’t just have love in my life, I have abundant love.

Abundant love. Abundant life.

“Where there is abundant love, there is abundant life.” ~ The Hurt Healer

Top image thanks to Kathleen Tennant                           http://www.etsy.com/listing/87084411/life-8×14-signed-mixed-media-print
Quote thanks to Gayana http://www.etsy.com/listing/75854819/where-there-is-love
Bottom image thanks to Emelisa  http://www.redbubble.com/people/emelisa/works/8805582-earth-faeries

64 thoughts on “Abundant love. Abundant life.”

  1. Pingback: Body Promises | New Heaven on Earth!

  2. Reading your blog was like reading about my life. I went through an identical process like you. I am so glad you came through it so positive. It took me awhile but I’m ok with my past too, learning the hard way to appreciate the small things. Thank you for what you wrote.

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  3. We each hit bottom somehow on this path called “Life,” don’t we, Carolyn? Here’s what I wrote about the moment that I did: “I learned that when I had nothing, I was actually richer.” And what a joyous path back it has been! Thank you for sharing yours …

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  5. Hi Carolyn,

    I to like this quote, …”the best things in life are not things.” I found this very true one day when I was a single mother of 3 little girls.
    No child support coming in, I was on my own and barely making it. At this time I had a quarter in my pocket and didn’t know how the months bills were going to be paid, because what i was bringing in just wasn’t making it. It was a winter night, and in the middle of a snow storm. The lights went out and I found some candles to light. My 3 little girls and I sat around the table playing a game. Laughing and enjoying the moment. it was at that moment I realized how happy I was and that I was the riches person in the world.

    Money could not by the love that was being given to me and love I was given. Yes, we made it with a lot of prayer and work, but it is a time I will be forever grateful for (Don’t want to go back there LOL) I learned what is really important in this world. And yes, Carolyn it is LOVE. And it can not be bought, sold or traded.

    Thank you for sharing your story and sure glad you are a strong lady, like they say ‘if it doesn’t kill you, it’ll make you stronger.” And grateful

    debbie

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  7. Carolyn….exquisite words and thoughts…and beautiful pictures. Everything in life is opposites….joy and pain go hand in hand. After all, how could you ever know what joy was if you didn’t experience a deep, penetrating pain? With gratitude for WHO YOU ARE…Fran

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  11. This was beautiful, Carolyn! Thanks for sharing your story about your turning point and the great message about love coming in from and going out to lots of places.

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  15. Pingback: Your wealth vs. Your worth … « Simply Me Just Be

  16. What a wonderful lesson you have learned, and hopefully, many others will heed your wise words and learn it without having to learn the hard way. Truly, it is love that makes life abundant.

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  17. Shifting from working for others and building a large ministry to working at home and encouraging others as a coach cultivated such great love of family and closeness there. Thanks for the reminder to value love and people more than stuff and success!

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  18. And now you spread the love in your blog, Carolyn. You are clearly reaching out and touching hearts abundantly here

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    • I wish I knew the answer to that Jamie! And I wish I knew why it never just rains, it pours! But I do know that at some point the rain stops and it can be a while until the sun returns. But it does!

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  20. Your Posts are a breathe of fresh air. I spend a lot of time talking to people with problems with relationships. Most are not seeing what’s in front of them . To Love and be loved in return is a wonderful gift that not everyone can have..;) You are indeed lucky!

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    • I’m so glad you enjoy my posts! And what you say is so true that many people can’t see what’s in front of them. I think it’s because they’re too busy looking at what everyone appears to have. For me, being loved and being able to love is what matters :)

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  21. Carolyn, those images are absolutely incredible and this quote of yours “Where there is abundant love, there is abundant life” really hits the nail on the head. We do get caught up in the idea of abundance being about just material prosperity and this post is a great reminder that abundance has many meanings. : D

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  23. I know you are not the only one Carolyn! So many of us wear a mask at some time in our life; e don’t want to spill our mess all over the place either. So, in some way it also is a good thing, right? But then there needs to come that turnaround, which brings out the best of us and brings many blessings into our life as well!

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