It is one thing to be aware of abundance yet it’s another thing altogether to be involved in abundance. Often people feel that awareness and thought is important but the reality is it will seldom prove to be enough. We must also be involved in abundance!

You want abundance right? Abundant health, prosperity, love, growth, and contribution all sound like a wonderful thing to most people. Even with that desire, so many people fail to live abundantly in all areas of their life. There is a reason for this; a simple concept that is often overlooked.

When we were growing up, our mothers told us something very similar and yours probably did too. Mike’s parents told him, "You are who you hang out with." Nick’s parents said, "You usually don’t bring the group up, the group usually brings a person down." Oh, how right they were. Did you hear something similar when you were a child? This truth holds the answers to living abundantly.

In order to be abundant in your life, understand what type of abundance you want. Next, take an honest inventory of what is around you and more specifically, who is around you. Are the people and things closest to you shining examples of that abundance in action?

In all things, our environment and who we spend time with affects our lives. This is never truer than when we are dealing with abundance. This may be good news for you or this may be bad news, depending on the people and things you surround yourself with. If you are like us when we first took an inventory, you are wondering how to change current surroundings because they are not in favor of living abundantly.

It’s time to search for people who are living abundant lives. Look first in your immediate surroundings … is there someone who fits the bill? Don’t misunderstand though, this person doesn’t have to be in your personal circle of friends but someone you might be able to speak with. Keep expanding the list until you find someone.

If there is no person within your sphere of people then we suggest you use the tools you do have, for example, the Internet. It is very easy nowadays to access information and people online. The Internet is a vehicle with which to find the most perfect person suited to your needs.

Ok, so you found them but now what do you do? Before moving forward, be sure the person comes from a similar situation to where you are in your life now. For example, if you wanted to experience abundant health and fitness and you are 100 pounds overweight, you want to model someone who used to be in the same situation. If you are searching for someone who exemplifies this, you will want to find someone who has lost close to or more than 100 pounds and kept it off for a long period of time.

Basically, find someone who has already been down the path you’re on. By finding someone who was once in your shoes it will help you relate to them and it will do wonders in truly accepting and consuming their example and advice into your life. Now you can effectively model this person.

What you surround yourself with consistently has a direct impact on you. If abundance is your goal then be sure to surround yourself with people, places and things that encourage abundance. The more people you bring into your life that live the level of abundance you desire, the quicker you will find it as your reality.

So far, we’ve talked about adding people to your circle of influence but what about the people who are already there?

If your friends live in "lack" and "scarcity" you don’t have to cut them all out of your life but you will have to make some changes. First, limiting your time around them will serve you well. Instead, spend that time with your abundant friends or associates. Second, when you are with your friends who come from lack and scarcity, be vigilant and guard your mind. Be aware of what they say. Don’t automatically accept their thoughts as truth. Challenge them in your own mind and later, ask your empowering friends for their opinions. You will find these two groups to have very different opinions. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so when your dis empowering friends voice an opinion, acknowledge their perspective and choose to stay on your own course.

Staying with the physical health and fitness example … cake, ice cream, drinks, snacks and the like will show up in your life. It does not mean you cannot ever partake. You are empowered to make your decision about what works for you. Have a taste or don’t have any at all. You choose.

Decide how you want to handle these temptations. Surround yourself with people that you want to model and create an environment that supports you. If you know you are going to be in negative or tempting situations, re-enforce your decision to live abundantly so you can go into the situation strong, bring people who are supportive and empowering with you, and/or plan out alternatives to the situation you find yourself in that is not empowering.

You are who you hang out with… whether that makes you happy or sad, that is the truth. Use that to your advantage in creating abundance.