From Ashes to Abundance: What We Can Learn from Los Angeles
Somewhere along the way, we’ve been conditioned to believe that abundance and wealth are all about money and possessions—material things.
In my gratitude practice, which has spanned at least a couple of decades now, I’ve come to realize that there are many forms of abundance. Philosophers and spiritual leaders have been teaching this for centuries. Buddhist monks, for example, have been sharing the wisdom that abundance and richness can be found in every present moment. They live with little attachment to things, finding gratitude in the simple ways of life.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling to many different countries, and I’m always amazed at how other cultures, who live with much less than the average American, can seem so happy and grateful in their daily lives. What is it about our culture that makes us base our sense of abundance on material possessions?
What I’m curious about—and what I believe we’re learning right now in Los Angeles, especially through the devastation of the Pacific Palisades fires—is that true abundance has nothing to do with material items or objects we possess. One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the nation has been reduced to ashes. Families who once “had it all” have lost every material possession—literally. And yet, I keep hearing survivors say, “We’re okay. Those are just things. We’re safe. We have our family together.”
They are being forced into practicing, in real time, what gratitude and abundance truly are. Most likely, they aren’t doing this intentionally—it’s just what naturally emerges when everything else is stripped away. But I believe we all have this inherent richness within us, no matter our circumstances or possessions. It’s part of who we are.
Abundance exists in the relationships we have with our loved ones.
It’s in the simple, human interactions we share with others. It’s inside of us, no matter where we live or what we have. We are rich in love, rich in the mind, rich in choice.
As we move through life, it’s important to stop and reflect on what truly makes us feel abundant. It might be a shared laugh with a friend, a quiet moment of peace in nature, or the simple joy of a family meal together. When we stop chasing material wealth and begin embracing the richness of the present moment, we can live more fully and authentically.
The American culture—especially in places like LA—has cultivated a false sense of abundance through consumerism. But if we can begin to cultivate a practice of daily appreciation, we have the power to shift this mindset, both individually and collectively. By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we already have, we can change the way we experience abundance—not just in our own lives, but in the world around us.