During the holidays, it's all about getting stuff, right? Or is it all about giving? Either way, the holidays are exactly when we want to bring up the topic of abundance in our lives. And, it's a perfect time to lay this foundation with your children.

I now have several podcasts on abundance, like this one and this one. It's not just about holiday times, but how to not be a scrooge but to live a life (not season) of abundance! We covered four main areas, so for you out there who prefer the written word, I wanted to lay these out for you as well.

You see...

So, what are you attracting? Where your focus goes, energy flows, so if you are living in fear of what people will take from you, guess what - you up your chances of people taking. If you live in fear of germs, you have a higher likelihood of being sickly all the time.   

Like the fact that less than 10% of Amish schoolchildren have asthma and allergies, and studies have shown it has more to do with them living in a dusty and dirty environment than anything else. Sometimes we're so focused on the negative and what could happen that we miss the fact that it isn't happening right now.  

Yes, I know there is a balance here. I'm not saying that you should never plan or be aware of the consequences of your actions.  

But, when it comes to wanting more in your life, if you shift your focus to these four essentials, you may see abundance knocking at your door much more often.

Abundance may come in a different way than you anticipated.  When I talked about discipline, I shared the Bruce Almighty clip where the mother asked for patience...and, instead, she got opportunities to be patient.  

Sometimes we place so much expectation on what abundance will look like.  Sometimes it's more than we expect. It may require hard work. It may be that, when you are really in your zone and not focused on it, that is when abundance really rolls in. Which leads us to the second point here.

They don't hold back - on their ideas, their dreams, or their possessions. They've discovered the best thing of all - that life is rich when you choose to live it. Don't live in fear of what could be, or what it isn't. Find joy in what is.

Look for how you can give and invest in others. The Have You Filled A Bucket series has really helped my girls grasp the concept of pouring into others in a positive way. 

They focus on the importance of sharing love and kindness with others, and the importance of deposits and withdrawals from others' emotional bank accounts. If everyone walked around with an invisible bucket, would anyone's be full from what you have put in? 

Any time you show kindness, offer help or support, or invest in the life of another, you are filling their bucket. And the amazing thing is, even when you are feeling completely down and out, when you turn your attention to what you can do for another, not only do you fill their bucket, but you'll feel better, too.  

It's not just about filling someone else's bucket, either. It feels good to give. It does not make it easy, however, if the person you seek to help/support/invest in won't accept it.  

Be a gracious receiver. It's not always about the gift or act of kindness as for what it does for the giver. That person was thinking of you, and your best thanks is to accept it. It doesn't mean you accept obligation of using the gift or reciprocating.  You simply accept for what it is - a gift.