There are 2 extremely different mentalities that function in the back of our minds. Most of us fall somewhere on the spectrum in between the 2 extremes and are generally oblivious to this background programming making all sorts of decisions for us! But these programs influence EVERYTHING that we do, so let's wake up and take a closer look 👀 

Scarcity

One world view is a paradigm of scarcity. As in there is a limited amount of resources (money, power, beauty, food...You name it) and as a result, " I better hold onto what I've got!" Those of us with a scarcity mentality have a lower risk tolerance, hold tightly to what "little" we have because we can't stand the thought of loosing it (because there already isn't enough for all), and we tend to feel safer playing small and staying close to home. Hoarding is generally a sign of some level of scarcity mentality. 

![IMG_3712.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQma6CLZQE55tpYQqfP5xCDBucuHPHimcjZ4FBQaUcPRqdj/IMG_3712.JPG)

Scarcity is a "bunker & hunker" way of life that on the surface may make us feel like we are safer and preventing some losses, but it's also a life of fear, worry, angst, and attachment that renders us incapable of pursuing our dreams. (Too much risk!) It's a life of skepticism and distrust of opportunities and gifts when they come along. It's "losing a dollar to save a dime" as we'd say here is the south. 😉 

Living with an extreme hard core scarcity mentality can cause us to miss opportunities, to miss potential gains financially, in relationships, and elsewhere in life because we are so afraid to take any chances and be vulnerable! We are "glass 1/2 empty people." (and damn well don't lose any of that 1/2!) It's very hard to thrive and pursue your life purpose when you are white-knuckle-gripped to what you have so as to prevent any possible  losses. 😳

Abundance

The other world view is a paradigm of abundance. As in there's in plenty of resources to go around (time, money, food, sex...everything). Those of us with an abundance mentality generally have a higher risk tolerance, don't worry as much about losing what we have because we  believe there's plenty more, and we can be generous maybe even to a fault. We tend to feel safer taking a risk and going for big dreams because we can't stand the thought of opportunities lost! We tend to want to go out and explore the world to pursue our dreams. It's a life of "go for it" and "you don't know if you don't try!" in an effort to make us feel safer and avoid missing any gains. 

![IMG_3713.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUEMLnXAoqxkvNmvvzczrjU2skTSSu86M6dTd4FEDWbQc/IMG_3713.JPG)

Living with an extreme hard core abundance mentality can cause us to take too much risk and give away too much. We are "glass 1/2 full people." (And don't worry because there's always more!) It can lead to carelessness with our resources and over spending. It can lead to being so open hearted, vulnerable, exposed that we become deluded in our naive optimism.

Oh who am I kidding?! ...I'm trying so hard here to write this out objectively and comparing apples to apples. Reflecting the pros and the cons of each type when lived to an extreme. Clear and balanced. 🙌🏽 But it's so hard not to let my experience  influence this piece when I've lived both ways and have experience SO MUCH MORE FREAKING JOY operating with an abundance mentality. 🙏🏽 ☺️

I think my nature is that of scarcity, plus that's how my family operates / how I was raised. Generations of my family survived operating under the scarcity approach, and I have no doubt that it was LITERALLY NECESSARY for survival in some cases! Or at least they truly believed it was. But it is not for me now, and IMHO it's really, really important to watch for these background paradigms that are in there running our programming. To challenge our assumptions, question our thoughts and to validate our perception of reality now and then. 

My husband @sean-king is completely the opposite of me. He's the one who taught me about the "abundance mentality" about 25 years ago in an effort to help me relax, to learn to trust, to go with the flow a little more and worry a little less. 🙏🏽 An assumption of abundance is how his family operates and how he was raised. His father actually taught this concept to Him! He is well balanced in that he doesn't take undue risks nor is he wasteful with the resources we have. But he's not so risk adverse that he's unwilling to take chances and follow his dreams.

![IMG_3711.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWGdtYmJJ7wMmWVG6zksy8WDqdbkcSfGfNRqfKwXRHRBQ/IMG_3711.JPG)

He's fair and balanced. 🙏🏽🙌🏽 

Ps-I have been wanting to write this for a month. Lots of minnows and noobs out there lamenting "whales have it all! Money/life/sex/glory...is limited!! I want my fair-share!"

How U do anything is how u...EVERYTHING. Please examine your underlying mentality. See if these  patterns play out in other areas of your life. Re-evaluate? Find your truth  🙏🏽❤️