Lemons, Chobani plain greek yogurt, almonds, and dark chocolate…

I managed to cradle these items in my arms as I made my way to the check out counter.

That’s when I remembered—KIND bars. So, instead of going to the empty checkout line that was in front of me, I B-lined over to the snack bar area to satisfy my craving.

On my way back, I chose a different lane to checkout. This one wasn’t empty. There was a mother with her daughter in front of me.

As I was waiting for my turn, I was thinking about the call that I just had with a friend.

We were talking about abundance. And before I lose you on some spiritual spiral, the short of the conversation was how important it’s become for me to remember that there’s  no shortage of money, experiences, women, love, or material goods in the world.

The irony of having this conversation inside of a Walmart doesn’t escape me. I just had a sense that whether I was at Walmart or Whole Foods, there would be an opportunity to practice abundance.

As I snapped out of my own thoughts, I noticed that the women in front of me were short on their bill.

“We’re $18 over, let’s put back a couple things and come back for them later” said the daughter.

The mother started by removing the bulk toilet paper and looked to see what else they could leave without…

“I’d like to pay the difference” I said.

The daughter turned to me and graciously said thank you. The mother, daughter, and cashier seemed to be surprised, delighted, and in awe that someone would do such a thing.

In fact, I was surpised myself. This isn’t something that I’ve done before and it wasn’t until after I paid for their balance that I made the connection…

This idea of “abundance” isn’t just a way of thinking—it’s a way of being.

And in that moment, I could have chosen to behave differently.

I could’ve made up a story that these women do this “all the time” and that they had no intention to pay for all of their goods.

I could’ve made up a story that I shouldn’t be paying for other people’s groceries when I’m sitting with nearly $25,000 in student loan debt.

I could’ve behaved differently.

To the woman that let me buy her toilet paper…thank you.

Thank you for letting me experience more abundance in my life.

Thank you for receiving my offer.

Thank you for reminding me that abundance isn’t simply a mindset, it’s an action.

And if you’re wanting to bring more abundance into your life, your mindset isn’t going to be the thing that creates it—your actions will.

Whether you’re in Walmart or Whole foods, at the BMW dealership or a used car lot…

…at Ruth Chris Steakhouse or Steak & Shake…

You can behave from a place of recognizing that you have enough, you do enough, you are enough, and there is enough.

Abundance isn’t a mindset, it’s your birthright, and we can choose it through the actions that we take.

Author: Joshua Barad

Editor: Renée Picard

Image: Wiki Commons