Understanding Scarcity

The concept that Maria Nemeth introduces in this chapter is Scarcity. As Nemeth put it, “Scarcity is on of our deepest fears.” I must say, this principle struck home the most for me.  One of the areas that she talked about which recently I’ve come to realize and accept is that we have limits. On the physical plane, we’re all limited. We are limited to the amount of time we have here on earth and the amount of money we will make in a life-time. Reading that allowed me to become comfortable with all of my desires and aspirations. As many as I have I will only be able to accomplish some of them. And I’m fine with that. 

Understanding that scarcity is my mind or “internal chatterbox” shouting at me that there is not enough of “something” has opened up and brought clarity regarding my relationship with money. However, this fear isn’t limited toour relationship with money; it can transfer over to other types of energy like love, relationships, and health (eating habits).

 Lessons from Batman 

In the movie Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne is taught by Ra’s al Ghul to face his childhood fear of bats.  Maria Nemeth explain that by facing our fears (scarcity) we are able to turn fear into an ally just as Bruce Wayne did by embracing the bat as his symbol to represent hope.

 Favorite quotes from Principle 5 

• “Beyond the three-dimensional limits of the physical plane, we also work within the limits of time, our life spans, and the cycle of birth and death that governs the existence of everything in the physical reality.”  
• “Scarcity is a reality in the physical domain.”  

•   “The span of our lifetime is limited. Our money is limited. Our physical stamina is limited. And no amount of work, or prayer, or frantic activity, or cash under the mattress, can keep the fact of physical reality from pricking us awake every time we take a breath or see a new wrinkle in the mirror.”

•   “The “I deserve it” rationale can provide a reason to buy almost anything.” 
•        “Scarcity, along with all the negative feelings we try to hid, is one of our most profound teachers if we are willing to learn its lessons.” 
•    “Lean into pain rather than way from it.”