January 1st, 2026

“Her eye, her ear, were tuning forks, burning glasses, which caught the minutest refraction or echo of a thought or feeling… She heard a deeper vibration, a kind of composite echo, of all that the writer said, and did not say.”

Willa Cather (American Writer; December 7th 1873 ~ April 24th, 1947)

“…in a time lacking in truth and certainty and filled with anguish and despair, no woman should be shamefaced in attempting to give back to the world, through her work, a portion of its lost heart.”

Louise Bogan (American Poet; August 11th 1897 ~ February 4th, 1970)

Preface to the Tenth Anniversary Edition of Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

“And why did my life need to change?”

“My own life needed to change so I could further explore and live into my freedom, power and full self-expression. I have already spent the first half of my life in murky waters which had me consumed with the mundane and scarcity in my life. I now choose to see my world differently.” (Heather Houston 1-1-22)

“What is truly magic as I read my sentiments from 2-years ago, my life has completely transformed for the better and I am living my best life.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“…my daily round had become a tug-of-war between other people’s demands and expectations and my own genuinely conflicted desires and unrequited needs. I frantically multitasked from one obligation to the next so fast that my spirit felt as if it was constantly sprinting to catch up with me, which it finally did when I collapsed into bed. Mornings were a major source of dread; my first conscious breath was sigh; my awakening thought was how to make it through the day. Of course, I never complained to anyone else, but I whined to myself and Spirit until, literally, the sound of my own nagging nearly drove me mad and to my knees.”

“I read this and feel a pang in my heart as I remember how my first 50 years on this dirt ball had occurred to me. Sad realization, but I have 100% of my life left and see my world ahead as magical, full of joy and abundance.” (Heather Houston 1-1-22)

“Amazing how this is not my experience of my life any longer. I look forward to each new day with a zest that thrills me to my core.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24 & 1-1-26)

“As Harry Truman explained it,… …It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job and it’s a depression when you lose your own. Call it what you want to, but there was doom and gloom everywhere—an absolute pandemic of lack. But when you focus only on lack you become depressed, and when you’re depressed you don’t see the glass half-full; you see it empty. And you’re dying of thirst. This sets in motion a relentless, repetitive cycle of misery and near-life experiences. There’s no light a the end of that tunnel.”- Harry Truman (33rd U.S. President; May 8th 1884 ~ December 26th, 1945)

“The last two years has been similarly hard with the COVID pandemic raging. Humans need the grit of past generations who rallied got vaccinated in mass during the small pox outbreak.” (Heather Houston 1-1-22)

“Flash forward to post pandemic and I have a new job, I am living in a love affair with my chosen “one”, I am engaged and planning a wedding. My life is abundant!” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“This New Year marks my 3rd re-engagement (3rd fiancé adventure). I’m passionately loving my husband with the full force of a firehose. I love being loved and love loving my chosen one. My life is abundant.” (Heather Houston 1-1-26)

“One morning I woke up physically exhausted and spiritually bankrupt; money was tight too.”

“I had this experience in a big way at the end of 2020. The pandemic, dealing with reconnection with my alienated adult children, applying to jobs without an end in sight, money getting tighter…all keeping me wrapped up in scarcity vs. abundance.” (Heather Houston 1-1-22)

“Still applying to jobs like mad, and using my network to help me revise and revamp my approach has yielded me more interviews than before. I believe 2023 is my year to break through on my terms and in my way.” (Heather Houston 1-1-23)

“I have been at my new job for 9-months and starting to feel like I can relax into it without expectations. I work to live vs. live to work now. Everything is centered around getting through my work day to get home to my actual life and love affair.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“I was so sick and tired of concentrating on what was missing from my life, God knows I didn’t want to write about it. I felt drained, depleted, discouraged. Worrying about money had squandered my most precious natural resources—time, creative energy, and emotion. So I forced myself to sit down at the kitchen table and start writing an inventory of what was good in my life, right at that moment. Think Pollyanna on Prozac. When I stopped six hours later, to my great astonishment. I’d created a master list of my life’s many overlooked blessings. I had over 150 and none of them had anything to do with money.”

“I too think this is a good practice to acknowledge my gratitude for the abundance in my life. By actively working on this list, it will give me perspective, orient me, afford me hope, reduces stress and be a constant gentle reminder to what matters (This is a working list to add to throughout this year.).” (Heather Houston 1-1-22 & 1-1-24)

2022 Gratitude List

1. Neil Chasan, the love of my life, who encouraged me to take the “red pill” and awaken into the world newly. He reminds me daily through his actions that I am valued, loved and not alone.
2. Extended maternal and paternal family who loves me.
3. Friends I relate to.
   • Tracy Painter
   • Amy Honeycutt
   • Dave Iuli
4. Eyes that allow me to see the world’s beauty.
5. Ears that allow me to hear my love’s voice and the music we enjoy.
6. A nose that allows me to smell food, flowers and the pheromone scent of snicker doodle cookies on my love’s forearms.

2023 Gratitude List

1. Friends I relate to.
   • Stacey Englert
2. Friends who gave their time and children power to help Neil and I move. (Thank you Iuli Family)
3. Finding a new apartment during winter when moving is often a bear.
4. I am grateful my partner sees me as a growing evolving creature and supports my exploration and discovery.

2024 Gratitude List

1. Arms that allow me to have held my children, hug my parents and to embrace my love after a long day.
2. Legs which have carried me many miles and helped me run like the wind.
3. A mouth that allows me taste the delicious food my love and I create and to kiss him when I arrive home from work.
4. My hands so I can type on my computer, flip the pages of books, and hold the hands of my loved ones.
5. Ability to speak.
6. Sense of touch.
7. A heart that pumps blood to all the parts of my body every second since I was born.
8. My immune system for fighting disease that enters my body and for keeping me healthy.
9. Morning coffee to help me be more alert in the morning.
10. The schools I have attended for providing a environment conducive to learning and growing.
11. My teachers for their dedication and for passing down knowledge to me.
12. Tears for helping me express my deepest emotions; happiness, frustration and sadness.
13. My bed so that I sleep comfortably every night.
14. Kindle Libraries and Brick-N-Mortar libraries with endless books to enhance my learning.
15. Music that narrates the story of my life, lifting my spirits when I’m down and for filling my life with more love.
16. My doubters and enemies for helping me uncover my blind spots so I can become a better person.
17. Disappointment so I know the things that matter to me most.
18. Fears so I know my opportunities for growth.
19. Pain which allows me to become a stronger person.
20. Sadness so I can appreciate the spectrum of human emotions.
21. My mistakes which help me to improve and become a better human.
22. Happiness so I can soak up the beauty of life.
23. Mother Nature for covering our world in beauty.
24. Laughter for serenading my life with joy.
25. Love for letting me feel what it means to truly be alive.
26. Animals for adding to the diversity of life.
27. Life for giving me the chance to experience all that I’m experiencing, and will be experiencing in time to come.
28. Me for being who I am and touching the world with my presence.
29. The sun for bringing in light and beauty to this world.
30. The moon for brightening up the night sky.
31. My lungs which are healthy and clear to maximize each breath I take.
32. Today, as it was given to me upon my waking up this morning and marking a new day.
33. Art that mesmerizes me.
34. The comfort of the “home” my love and I have created.
35. Ready access to food.
36. Earning a steady paycheck.
37. Being able to pay my bills.
38. Rain for cooling me when it gets too warm and for making it comfy to sleep in on weekends.
39. Snow for making winter even more beautiful.
40. The weekends that afford me more time to live my life.
41. The internet that allows access to information and resources in an instant.
42. Clean and bountiful access to water; including hot water.
43. Indoor plumbing including a toilet and shower.
44. A healthy body.
45. My unique personality.
46. My beauty.
47. My kind heart.
48. My integrity.
49. My strength and courage to press on even when faced with challenges.
50. Access to a reasonable memory.
51. Transportation for making it easier to commute from one place to another.
52. Big belly laughs with my love…the sillier the better.
53. Smartphones for making it easy to stay in touch with others.
54. Computers for making my life more effective and efficient.
55. Watching sunsets…anywhere.
56. Holding hands with my love.
57. Walks in the sun on a cold winter day.
58. Technology for making impossible things possible.
59. Movies for providing a source of entertainment.
60. Blogs for connecting me with other like-minded people.
61. Pets…especially Kiva. Thank you for your empathic superpowers.
62. Kind hearted strangers with manners; holding a door open, putting a shopping cart back, aware there are other people beside them in the world…etc.
63. Physicians who have cared for me when sick or injured.
64. Ready access to some of the best medical care in the world.
65. Apologies from those who have hurt me or did not honor their word.
66. Forgiveness I was able to access and give to those who has wronged me.
67. Birthdays…mine or anyone’s.
68. The first snowfall in winter.
69. A sunny day outdoors.
70. Walks or runs in the rain.
71. Romantic moments.
72. Watching waves crash on the beach…tropical or stormy.
73. Getting a letter or package.
74. Sleeping in our bed with the softest sheets ever.
75. Staying up pillow talking with my love.
76. Seeing a shooting star.
77. Being on vacation.
78. Finishing an entry or project on my To Do List.
79. Emptying my email Inbox.
80. Dancing
81. Mixing cocktails.
82. Family Reunions
83. A good night’s sleep.
84. Quiet moments of meditation.
85. Having a functioning brain.
86. Being self-aware.
87. Freedom
88. Being authentic.
89. Being powerful.
90. Being able to be fully self-expressed.
91. Finding something I lost or never new was missing in the first place.
92. Learning to let go of the past.
93. All the knowledge I have stored and accessible in my brain.
94. My growth and transformation throughout my life.
95. My willingness to help others.
96. Creating a lived-in home.
97. My ability to make good choices.
98. The fact that I believe things will always get better.
99. Recognition I received as an athlete, coach and employee.
100. Coworkers who make my workdays fly by.
101. The passion and fire to live fully that burns inside me.
102. Clean laundry
103. The smell of my favorite perfume, food, campfire, etc.
104. Having things that money can’t buy; children’s art, scrapbooks, photos, etc.
105. Eating my favorite foods.
106. Connecting with others on social media.
107. Arsenal winning a match/game.
108. The ability to work a job where I make a difference in peoples lives by helping them hit their potentials; students, athletes, soldiers, etc.
109. Someone holding a door or an elevator open for me.
110. A friend or family member calling to check-in on me.
111. Compliments from strangers.
112. Surprises
113. Adventures
114. The ability and agency to improve my life.
115. My intuitive ability to read others.
116. Feeling safe.
117. Activities that turn my brain off…TV, music, day dreaming, etc.
118. Being able to read.
119. My job for giving me a source of living and for being a medium where I can add value to the world.
120. Comfortable shoes
121. Shoes for protecting my feet when I am out.
122. Starlit skies.
123. Time, a system to organize myself and keep track of activities.
124. Rainbows for a beautiful sight to look forward to after rain.
125. Thank you notes
126. Comfy robe or pajamas
127. A walk in the forest.
128. Learning something new.
129. Autumn leaves
130. Oxygen for making life possible.
131. The earth for creating the environment for life to begin.
132. Positive comments on posts.
133. Sleeping in
134. Quenching hunger or thirst.
135. Finding money in a coat pocket.
136. Finding a toilet when you really need one in a public space.
137. Finding the last parking spot.
138. A driver letting you merge or pass in front of them.
139. People who donate blood.
140. Witnessing the success of my friends.
141. Working from home…teleworking.
142. Eating cookie batter from the bowl.
143. Licking the beaters after making a cake.
144. Staying in or going out on a Friday night.
145. The feeling I get when I help someone.
146. Getting goosebumps or chills.
147. Kisses and hugs
148. Cuddling
149. The feeling I got when I found the love of my life.
150. Finding answers to problems.
151. Successfully passing work training.
152. Buying an outfit that makes me feel confident and sexy.
153. Having electricity
154. Sitting after being on my feet all day.
155. Lunch breaks
156. The day I demanded a divorce to end the mental and emotional abuse.
157. Amusement parks
158. Having a creative outlet; sewing, knitting, cooking, blogging, etc.
159. Having people in my life who support me.
160. When my employers buys me lunch.
161. Those who have mentored me; William Houston, Donna Houston, Mr. Baze, Bill Schauser, Coach Lillywhite, Major Coleman, Roberta WIlson, Tom Wells, Steve Dickerson, Jennifer Martyn, Neil Chasan, etc.
162. Relaxing in a hot tub on a cool night or during a light snow.
163. Barefoot walks in the sand.
164. Burying my body under sand at the beach on a hot day.
165. Getting help when I need it.
166. The freedom to speak my mind.
167. Positive people
168. Looking at old photos.
169. Endorphins
170. The fun of planning a vacation.
171. A clean house.
172. Scented candles
173. Facing my fears.
174. Nostalgia
175. People who persist.
176. Clean air
177. Finishing something ahead of schedule.
178. Being on a winning team or winning an event.
179. Getting positive feedback.
180. Getting a raise at work.
181. Doing meaningful work.
182. Feeling inspired.
183. Listening to a relaxing playlist.
184. The fact that I was born.
185. Gratitude Day Meals (Thanksgiving)
186. Street lights
187. Childhood
188. Productivity
189. Doing complete work.
190. Growth
191. Perspective
192. Travels
193. Creativity
194. Open-mindedness
195. Deep conversations
196. Inspirational People; Billy Mills, Zola Bud. Bill Kuzmer, etc.
197. Teeth that are mine.
198. Bladder
199. Bones
200. Balance
201. Health Insurance
202. Exercise
203. Therapy
204. Manicures & Pedicures
205. Trees
206. Being able to garden.
207. Inspiring speeches
208. A slice of pepperoni pineapple pizza.
209. Orange and purple foods
210. Making someone laugh.
211. Fruits
212. Spices and seasonings
213. Having enough to eat.
214. Heat in my home.
215. Being able to trust someone.
216. My love doing loving things for me.
217. Date night every single day!
218. Encouragement
219. Making love
220. Bubble baths
221. Kind bosses
222. Promotions
223. Cars
224. Planes
225. Television
226. Motorcycles
227. Bikes
228. Microwaves
229. Ovens
230. Stoves
231. Couches
232. Refrigerators
233. Freezers
234. Washers and dryers
235. Faucets
236. Credit cards
237. Cameras
238. Light bulbs
239. Paper
240. Pencils and pens
241. Wi-Fi
242. Thunderstorms
243. Pest-free home
244. AHA moments
245. Texting
246. My sense of humor.
247. My talents
248. Diversity
249. My heritage
250. Wise words
251. Toothpaste
252. I am grateful for my mindfulness meditation on my FitBit.

2026 Gratitude List

1. Rediscovering my own sacredness.
2. Understanding my sexuality as a pansexual, demisexual, sapiosexual being.
3. Seeing the Milky Way in the darkest place in the United States with my husband.
4. Lamp chops BBQed at our favorite spot in Luther Burbank Park.
5. Seeing a full moon.
6. My baking skills.
7. Gleeking
8. Perfect grocery shops
9. Soaking up the heat from a car that has been heating up in the sun all day.
10. Integrity
11. Exploration of fusion pizzas.
12. Exploring new destinations with my husband.

“I realized I didn’t need a single thing, except the awareness of how blessed I was. That was the first time that gratitude beckoned and invited me to use its transformative power, not to revamp my life, but to rejoice in it.”

“If the only prayer you ever say in your life is ‘Thank You,’ it will be enough.”

Eckhart von Hochheim OP (known as: Meister Eckhart or Eckehart) (German Catholic Theologian, Philosopher and Mystic; 13th-century)

“This exercise to create my own gratitude list was eye opening. Because I pushed to over 250 entries, I found by the end of creating my list, I was deeply moved and grateful for what I have in my life. The sheer volume is astounding. I have overflowing abundance in my life well beyond material possessions.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“I discovered just how right he was and got so excited that I started writing down five new things to be thankful for every day.”

“I am adopting this practice intentionally and mindfully to rewire my brain to again see the glasses half full. A lifetime of abuse seemed to have constrained my positive emotive mental muscles.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“Women identified with an angry, envious, resentful, workaholic, careaholic, perfectionist who secretly fretted over everything and everybody but herself; a woman who frequently felt she was holding her life together with double-sided stick tape; who couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a nap, got a haircut without pretending it was a root canal, or had an hour to do nothing at all. It gave them hope that they, too, could change their lives for the better one grateful moment at a time.”

“This is how I existed in my life until recently. Acknowledging gratitude has given me access to happiness, joy, bliss, love, etc. My days are always bookended with gratitude for the love of my life.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“We read…to find refuge, a soul shelter, a safe place in a world clearly gone mad. We read for pleasure or we read to quiet the pain from a deafening roar to a dull throb. We read to forget who we are or discover it; we read to understand. But most of all, we do read to learn something we didn’t know before we turned the page.”

“I read for all those reasons as well and remarkably, it is quite effective in achieving my goals from reading.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

“You must believe your happiness and well-being is not frivolous but a spiritual prime directive.

“If there is a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must, write it.”

Toni Morrison (American Novelist; February 18th, 1941 ~ August 5th, 2019)

“Since my divorce, I have been on a pursuit to find, embrace and realize happiness in my life…true happiness. What has been amazing, is that I have never been happier, authentic, free, powerful and fully self-expressed in the novel I am writing/living.” (Heather Houston 1-1-24)

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Location 13-118.

Ongoing Notes In Reflection

Original blog posted on January 1, 2022. Reread January 1, 2023…This helped me reevaluate where my priorities need to be present. Thank you self. Ambitious in 2024 and put some time into building my gratitude list. 2026 marks my effort to intentionally share this blog with my family to increase interactions and their knowingness of the me today.

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I challenge each of you to post comments to this blog series so we all can grow together.