Impossible? No ? or yes, depending on how you see yourself and your environment. So much depends on our own perceptions and on our ability to discover that abundance is not just for others. If, consistently, we have more month than money it is natural to think that that's the way it is and that there's not much we can do to change it. Bosses don't exactly dish out largess, do they? They run their business to make a profit and most of them tend not to pay employees over the odds. For this and a myriad of other reasons, debt is increasingly common ? and when we are heavily in debt despair can quickly follow on.

That is a sad fact of life. But by changing our thinking we can change our circumstances.

Not overnight, of course. Nothing is that simple. The thing to remember is that contrary to appearances abundance is available to everyone.

Most of us have not been taught to see its availability. As a ?war baby? I was certainly brought up with a lack mentality. During the war itself, of course, and during the immediate post-war years there was much more lack than plenty and in my family ? as in many others - it was a case of ?make do and mend?. In other words, we had to make do with what we had rather than hanker after something totally unobtainable ? and if socks, stockings, sweaters or whatever had a hole in them, then out came the darning needle and the hole was painstakingly mended.

We live in a different society now, though, don't we? These days few things are mended while much is thrown away. That seems rather a sad reflection on our so-called ?affluent society? ? and it isn't helping our planet, either.

But getting back to lack versus abundance: I think many of us are conditioned during our formative years to believe it's almost a sin to be rich ? or at least that riches are for others, not for us.

We don't need to take that conditioning with us through life, though, do we? It's our undeniable right to question it ? and to re-think.

I have found that if I focus on the money (or item) I lack, my focus brings more lack. I'm so busy thinking about what I don't have that I depress myself thoroughly. Whereas, if I picture what I'd like to have - and spend time imagining how it will feel to still have money at the end of the month, or to be driving a more reliable car, or to be having a carefree holiday ? my mood changes from downbeat to upbeat and I begin to see new possibilities. It's important not just to picture these things, but also to experience in advance the emotion that their acquisition will bring. It's also important to be patient and not expect overnight miracles. When we take ourselves in hand and practise new thinking, time is needed for this to begin taking effect.

For example, six years ago I took a picture of my dream-house. This had three stories and from each floor there were breathtaking views across the marina and ocean. I had never lived in such a house before and initially had some difficulty imagining myself living there. But I placed the picture prominently on a ?dream board? I had placed on the wall opposite the desk in my study. So I saw ?my house? every day and in this way it became easier to absorb it into my thinking as a part of my existence.

Mentally I moved in, living my new lifestyle and breathing fresh sea air.

Seven months later a sale-board went up outside ?my house?. Hardly believing my eyes, I inquired about the price ? and found that thanks to some financial good fortune of just a few days before I could actually afford it! The timing was almost unbelievable, since even a week earlier I'd lacked the necessary means to make an offer.

My offer was accepted, I eventually moved in ? and I've been living happily in my dream-house ever since. And because of this and other amazing developments I've learned the importance of thinking the ?right? thoughts.

Truly, you too can discover how to have it all!

Copyright: Pamela Glynn