You're richer than you think

A friend shared this question with me years ago and I've never forgotten it:

Where do you feel rich?

"Where do I feel rich?" I wondered, "Wow, I've never thought of that before."

(​Coaching is founded on powerful questions, and this is a great example!)

Right now I'm staring, deer-in-the-headlights style, at the end of the school year, my bedtimes have crept way too late, and I'm mourning the end of being mom to a preschooler.

But even in this place of deficit, there is a place where I feel undeniably rich.

We have two ridiculously productive rose bushes that yield enough flowers for us, teacher thank-you gifts, graduation bouquets, and more. With the most basic maintenance, they produce dozens of florist-quality, Barbie-pink blooms, year after year. With a quick trip to the yard with scissors, I can make someone's day. We are rich.

Our brains are hardwired to dwell on the negative (more on negativity bias here). Particularly in motherhood, there is often the feeling of lack (of time, sleep, money, support, patience, etc). And yet, in my faith tradition, I'm reminded:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." ​(Psalm 23)​

​Even in the times we feel most poor, there is abundance, somewhere, to be found. 
​
I asked other moms where they feel rich and got some great answers. Lindsey, mom of one, said, "In friendships. I'm keenly aware right now of how many loving friends I have checking on me through the messiness of life. I am grateful."

Erin, mom of one, wrote, "I've been thinking about it all week! 1) Access to parks and nature even if it requires a little effort. 2) Amazing and affordable childcare that my son actually likes going to. 3) My own creativity and problem solving resources!"

Sarah A., mom of two, replied, "I feel rich when I can open up our home and experience the blessing of living life in community." Love that.

Your turn to play!

​It's easy to focus on where we feel poor. But where do you feel rich??