When world events have us worrying about the future availability of resources to care for ourselves, our families and our community, it can be tempting to draw into ourselves, shore up our reserves, button down the coffers and close down the flow of resources out of our lives to save them for ourselves, for that dreaded future "rainy day." These concerns are entirely natural and even prudent—after all, preparing for uncertainties is a fundamental aspect of financial planning.
However, it's during times of uncertainty, instability and loss that we need to remain most open to the flow of prosperity and abundance both to us and through us. Our founder, Mackey McNeill, has long advocated that generosity creates rather than depletes abundance—a philosophy that perfectly aligns with TUT's reminder that giving is a powerful demonstration of the belief that "I am provided for." Both perspectives recognize that generosity is not just spiritually fulfilling but financially empowering.
That said, we want to offer the following practices and ideas to help you maintain or maybe even increase the flow of abundance in your life, not through toxic positivity or sticking your head in the sand, but by remaining present with your thoughts, actions and intentions. Here are three practices that Mackey has personally implemented and witnessed transform the financial mindsets and outcomes of herself and clients throughout her career:
1. Practice purposeful generosity
Generosity that stems from intention rather than obligation creates a powerful shift in how we relate to money. Mackey encourages establishing a consistent giving practice—whether it's 1% or 10% of your income—that remains steady regardless of economic fluctuations. This consistency sends a message to both your conscious and subconscious mind that abundance continues to flow.
Start by identifying causes or communities that align with your core values. When your giving reflects what matters most to you, it transforms from an expense into an investment in the world you wish to create. Even during challenging times, maintaining your giving practice—perhaps adjusting the amount but not abandoning it entirely—reinforces your commitment to abundance thinking.
Clients who maintain their giving practice during downturns often report that this decision helped them maintain perspective and optimism, which in turn supported better financial decision-making overall.
2. Maintain a prosperity journal
One of Mackey's most transformative tools is the prosperity journal—a dedicated space to document your relationship with money and abundance. Unlike traditional financial tracking that focuses solely on numbers, a prosperity journal captures the emotional and experiential aspects of your financial life.
Take five minutes each evening to record instances of unexpected abundance you experienced that day. These might include a surprise discount, a thoughtful gift, or even an opportunity that arose unexpectedly. Note also your acts of generosity, both financial and non-financial, and the feelings they generated.
Over time, this practice trains your awareness to notice abundance that might otherwise go unrecognized. Many who maintain prosperity journals report seeing significant shifts in their perception of scarcity after just 30 days of consistent documentation. As Mackey often tells audiences, "What you focus on expands"—and a prosperity journal ensures you're focusing on the abundance already present in your life.
3. Create giving rituals
Rituals help embed our intentions into our daily lives, transforming abstract concepts into tangible practices. Mackey believes that how we handle our money reflects our deeper relationship with life itself. By creating intentional rituals around giving, we elevate it from a transaction to a meaningful practice.
Consider establishing a monthly "generosity hour" where you review potential donations, write gratitude notes to organizations you support, or research new causes aligned with your values. Some clients create family giving circles, involving children in age-appropriate discussions about supporting community needs.
Even simple rituals make a difference—like pausing before making a donation to consciously express gratitude for the ability to give, or creating a special space in your home where you handle charitable contributions. These small acts of mindfulness compound over time, reinforcing the connection between giving and receiving.
Embracing the Cycle of Abundance
The paradox of prosperity is that it flourishes most when allowed to flow freely. Like water that becomes stagnant when dammed up, money and resources need movement to maintain their vitality. By engaging in these three practices—purposeful generosity, prosperity journaling, and giving rituals—you participate consciously in this natural cycle.
During challenging times, these practices become even more essential, serving as anchors that keep us connected to possibility rather than limitation. As Mackey often reminds us, "Prosperity isn't just about what you have—it's about your relationship with what you have." By maintaining an open and generous stance, even when instincts might push us toward closure, we create the conditions for continued abundance in our lives and communities.
What giving practice will you commit to this month? Whatever you choose, approach it with intention and awareness, knowing that your generosity creates ripples of prosperity that extend far beyond what you can immediately see.