A Pause in the Parables

As many of you know, I recently started sharing weekly stories from The Culture Cre8or with Elder Grace guiding us through parables that help us reflect on life and growth. That series will pick back up soon, but today I want to pause and share something personal — a lesson I’m learning in real time. Because sometimes, the best stories aren’t just the ones we tell…they’re the ones we live. I hope this "What about me" energy message resonates with you. It's something else I've learned about myself.

The "What About ME" Energy

The other day, my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and I were talking about their finances when they mentioned including my husband in a new financial role. Without thinking, I blurted out, “Wait, what!? You gave him a job—what about me?” We laughed, but inside, I caught myself. I wasn’t upset, but that knee-jerk response revealed a little voice I’ve been hearing for years: Don’t forget me. Include me. What about me?

Maybe you’ve felt that too. A coworker gets praise and you think, I worked hard too. A sibling receives a gift and you wonder, Why didn’t I? A friend shares good news, and instead of celebrating, your mind whispers, When is it my turn?That voice is what I call “What About Me?” energy. It’s a normal part of being human, born out of our desire to feel seen, valued, and included. The problem isn’t that we have those thoughts—it’s when we stay there. When we live in “What about me?” energy, we end up competing instead of celebrating, measuring our worth by what we receive rather than who we are.

In that moment with my daughter, I realized something important: I don’t want to live in “What about me?” energy. I want to live in abundance energy—the kind of mindset that believes there is enough love, attention, and recognition to go around. Celebrating someone else doesn’t take away from me; it expands me.

John Randolph Price captures this beautifully in The Abundance Book when he writes, “The Universe does not compensate individuals based on the activity of work, but on the activity of consciousness.” That truth stopped me in my tracks.

Abundance doesn’t come from hustling harder or fighting for attention. It flows from how open our hearts and minds are to love, gratitude, and faith in the good.

Since that day, I’ve been asking myself new questions:

When someone shares good news, do I truly celebrate them, or do I quietly shift the moment back to myself?

Do I really believe there’s enough love and recognition to go around?

What would it look like to live in abundance—where competition gives way to connection?

Here’s the truth: “What about me?” thoughts will still come. They’re part of being human. But now, when I hear that voice, I smile at it and let it pass. I remind myself: there is enough. I am enough. Every time I choose to celebrate someone else, I loosen the grip of scarcity and step into abundance. And in that space, there’s no need to compare or compete—there’s only connection, only love.

This week, I just wanted to share from my own journey. Parenting, marriage, and relationships all have a way of holding up a mirror to what we’re still learning. For me, this was a reminder that I don’t need to fight for space or recognition. God has already given me more than enough. Maybe you’ve been carrying “What about me?” energy too. If so, let this be your reminder to pause, breathe, and remember: you are already whole. You are already light. And you don’t have to wait for anyone to hand you your worth, you've been carrying it all along.

Elder Grace will be back next Sunday with another parable from Stories from The Culture Cre8or, but until then, I hope this reflection carries you into your week: you are enough, and there is always enough.

With something to think about.

Happy Memorial Day,

Niki Spears