Story by Lina Duchene // she/her // ig: @lushhlina
Graphic by Andrea Naranjo // she/her // @andreaa_naranjo
Manifestation and the Law of Attraction are spiritual concepts derived from New Age teachings. These principles teach one how to turn their dreams and desires into reality through thought, attraction and belief. In summary, the message of the teaching is this: if you think hard about something you currently do not have, it will find its way to you if you put the right amount of energy toward it.
There is a flaw with this messaging. Manifestation and the Law of Attraction communicate that one’s current circumstances are not ideal and that a feeling of wholeness will only be reached once they attract what they desire. This line of thinking invalidates the abundance that is present in current situations and circumstances and serves as a short-term solution for a lifetime of lessons, challenges and opportunities for growth.
Manifesting something new does not mean that you get to keep what you already like about your reality. It changes your reality altogether.
Ancient philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, “If you want to be given everything, give everything up.” This consideration is key when thinking of manifestation as the path towards feelings of fulfillment. Would you be willing to sacrifice everything you have right now for the chance of receiving what you desire? Chances are, there are many aspects of the present moment that positively contribute to your happiness when looking at life through the lens of gratitude. For example, if I wanted to manifest a partner who I thought would complete me, I would need to sacrifice the many lessons of personal development that I can only experience and truly appreciate when I am single. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone unless you take the time to be present, grateful and grounded.
Manifesting our ideas of abundance and fulfillment, whether it be in material items, people or money, is unsustainable in the long run because there will always be situations that will be out of our control. There can also be unintended consequences we may not have perceived before setting intentions.
There is a formula for reality that I like to refer to when my mind wanders to feelings of discontent or high amounts of wishful thinking: What I CAN control + What I CANNOT control = My current reality. This equation reminds me that even if I take the steps to receive what it is I believe I want or need, that money comes and goes, things break and people change. Assigning these objects or people the power to complete us can only leave us feeling emptier when they do not meet our (often unrealistic) expectations.
Looking at life through the lens of gratitude means that we see our current reality as a playground filled with opportunities and lessons. When we broaden our view, we are better able to attract what is truly meant for us. Narrow-mindedly viewing abundance and fulfillment leads us into a never-ending feeling of dissatisfaction and a false sense of empowerment.
Manifestation is often subconscious; therefore, it is likely that one will manifest something that looks good on the surface. In reality, it is there to teach a lesson about something that has not been faced or healed. The more present one is, the more they are able to analyze the opportunity that is currently around them and not just ahead of them.
The key to living an abundant life is simply choosing to feel abundant. No person, job, material item or amount of money can change that. Coming to this realization was not an easy journey, but it has allowed me a great feeling of freedom knowing that where I want to go, is right where I am already standing. Who I want to become, is all I already am. All I could ever want is everything I already have.
