A Word About Toilet Paper

Written by: Maritza Barrera, LMFT

We're not officially out of toilet paper here at my home, but we are a few mere potty breaks and blown noses away from it. And, it gets me to thinking about this hoarding toilet paper mentality and how it has permeated our society. It's not that I can't see the need for toilet paper when you are unsure if you may get sick or not be able to safely leave your home for an undetermined amount of time, so much is it that I simply refuse to live with a scarcity mentality anymore. I've officially decided that there is no need to live like I "won't have" if I don't "take for myself". 

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​In so many ways, our current structure has led us to believe in the illusion of control. Collectively we seem to believe that if you can fund it, you can do it. And now, in these uncertain and unprecedented time, no one knows if they will be able to even fund their daily life. Although that seems very scary, I would encouraged you to shift your mindset to one of abundance. Just for a moment even, believe that the universe, world, God, or what/whoever you believe is actually working in your favor...always! Even if you can't fully see it or understand it just yet. Because once you settle in to this knowing, gratitude comes easily, every square of toilet paper is appreciated. And not just appreciated today, but appreciated in every moment. Because our truth is that we do have so much, even the impoverished of us has more creature comforts now than those in less developed countries. And I'm not saying we should go without or that we should even be happy having to make this shift. I am more accentuating that once you make the shift, you'll have so much more abundance than you know.

If you're not sure how to get started and want to be free of the scarcity mentality even in the most challenging times, start by slowing down. I mean slow way down. How do you do that? Your breath. Any basic yogi will tell you that your breath is key. The way I conceptualize it is that my breath controls the speed of my life. So, if I can slow my breath, I can slow my world. And, when I slow down, I can so much more easily recognize the good, the abundance, and the love that is all around us all the time.