Author: Heather Houston

Absinthe aficionado. Empathetic thinker-feeler. Verbose writer. Avidly authentic. Hydrangea fanatic. Snow leopard lover. Joy huntress. Promising my devotees a honest glimpse into my life as I live with freedom, power and full self-expression in an unfiltered and sometimes distilled way. CHEERS!

My Abundant Life 2-20-26

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February 20th, 2026

The Authentic Dig

“Sometimes a person has to go back, really back–to have a sense, an understanding of all that’s gone to make them–before they can go forward.”

Sir Paul Roderick Clucas Marshall (British Investor; August 2nd, 1959 ~ )

“On the authentic dig we shall also go in search of a mosaic: what brought us moments of happiness and contentment.”

“Let your authnetic archaeologist gather artifacts that can coax memory: old photographs, letters, mementos.”

“See what memories are triggered as you reacquaint yourself with the girl and woman you once were. Linger only on the happy times. What you are searching for is a pattern of personal, authentic pleasures and preferences. These are the chips in your mosaic.”

“The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in our significance to ourselves they find their own order…With patience and quiet observation, these events will provide the seeker in you with a ‘continuous thread of revelation.'”

Eudora Welty (American Short Story Writer, Novelist and Photographer; April 13th, 1909 ~ July 23rd, 2001)

My Bucket List

Memories
Great Wall of China

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-20-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I think I will start with my year book to try to reconnect with classmates and find high school pictures of myself.” (Heather Houston 2-20-22)

“I have been uncovering my past to see how it lands for me now. I have been intentionally listening to the music and watching films from my birth year 1968. It has been so fun to watch and listen…waiting to see what bubbles up. I realize I have a huge music and film interest genre. I even reeled in my husband to watch a few flicks with me. I love this journey!” (Heather Houston 2-20-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 53-54 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 2-19-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 19th, 2026

  • “I am grateful that it is mid-winter break for the schools as the traffic is so light on my commute.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
  • “I am thankful for my Mom sharing her thoughts and feelings for the daily ‘Simple Abundance’ devotion.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
  • “I appreciate getting a ton of my work tasks completed before the end of the work day.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
  • “I am thankful for the Malawi Mango Chicken dinner with Coconut Milk Rice my loving husband created.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
  • “I am blessed to live in a time where I can choose to watch an award winning film from 50 years ago or more…AMAZING!” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
  • “I appreciate that on our country randomizer today it chose the country of Martinique.  It will be fun to cook a Caribbean chicken dish.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)
  • “I am grateful to have been able to find all the ingredients for our new chicken dinner at one market.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)
  • “I am thankful to be able to be my partner’s sous chef while we create a scrumptious dinner.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)
  • “I am grateful to have figured out a tropical cocktail recipe to enjoy pre-dinner.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)
  • “I appreciate being able to suggest to my partner that we watch “Fight Club”.  He loved it!”💪 (Heather Houston 2-19-22)

My Musical Life 2-19-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 19th, 2026

#35 A Beautiful Morning (The Rascals) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
It’s a beautiful morning, ah
I think I’ll go outside for a while and just smile
Just take in some clean fresh air, boy
(Ain’t) no sense in staying inside
If the weather’s fine and you got the time
It’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand-new day🪄
it’s a beautiful morning, ah
Each bird keeps singing his own song, so long
I’ve got to be on my way now
(Ain’t) no fun just hanging around
I got to cover ground, you couldn’t keep me down
It just ain’t no good if the sun shines
When you’re still inside (shouldn’t hide)
Still inside (shouldn’t hide)
Still inside (shouldn’t hide)
Still in-, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh🪄
Oo-ooh-ah-ah
Oo-ooh-ah-ah🪄
There will be children with robins and flowers
Sunshine caresses each new waking hour🪄
Seems to me that people keep seeing more and more each day
(Gotta say) lead the way
(It’s okay) brand-new day
(Gotta say) it’s okay
Wednesday, Thursday, it’s okay🪄
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Oo-ooh-ah-ah
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Oo-ooh-ah-ah
Whoa, oh, oh, oh-oh
Oo-ooh-ah-ah
Oh (ooh-ah-ah)
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Oo-ooh-ah-ah

My Abundant Life 2-19-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 19th, 2026

Rendezvous with the Authentic Archaeologist

“We cannot kindle when we will

The fire that in the heart resides

The spirit bloweth and is still

In mystery our soul abides.”

Matthew Arnold (English Poet and Cultural Critic; December 24th, 1822 ~ April 15th, 1888)

“Like the inner explorer who seekd adventure and the unknown, the authentic archaeologist knows how to unearth remnants of memory buried deeply in the fertile doil of the subconscious mind…The reason we want to awaken the archaeologist is to excavate the real you.”

“How we remember, and what we remember, and why we remember form the most personal map of our individuality.”

Christina Baldwin (Author; April 16th, 1946 ~ )

“Whether you realize it or not, you have lived many lives, and each one has left an indelible mark on your soul. I’m not referring to reincarnation. I’m referring to the episodic way in which our lives evovle: childhood, adolescence, college years or early career, marriages, motherhood…widowhood and onward. At each stage in our lives, we have both laughter and tears. But more important for our interests, we develop personal preferences. Each life experience leaves a layer of memory like a deposit of sdiment: things we’ve loved and moments of contentment we’ve cherished that when recalled, reveal glimmers of our true selves.”

My Bucket List

Unearthing the PAST
The Taj Mahal, India

Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-19-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“My past is often remembered in struggles and challenges vs. joy. I think the neglect I experienced at a young age scarred me and filtered how I saw the world. It makes me sad to realize this about myself.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)

“I no longer look to the past hoping it holds reasons to the ‘Why’. Instead, I remember the past as something that no longer exists or defines me. The ‘NOW’ is the only thing that is real. In creating my beingness in the NOW, I soak up all the available joy in my life in each moment.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 52-53 of 501.

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

My Storied Life 2-18-26

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February 18th, 2026

1968 Top 10 Highest-Grossing & Award Winning Films

“I enjoyed rewatching this film from an earlier time in my life. Not sure when I first saw it and I know I have seen it a couple of times. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau play excellent yin yang characters. I loved the movie and the TV series that later came out. Neil Simon was a brilliant writer.”

Daily Gratitude 2-18-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 18th, 2026

  • “I was grateful for the PCC clerk who helped me find the vegan parmesan cheese and dressing needed to make the salad for my colleagues.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)
  • “I am thankful my administrative assistant was willing to make the salad for our farewell celebration lunch for one of our colleagues leaving our foundation.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)
  • “I appreciate being able to order the pizzas for our colleague lunch from Pagliacci Pizza. I got to order the AGOG pizza which is one of my favorites.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)
  • “I appreciate my management colleagues supporting me in finding a staff member to close the office in my absence for an upcoming leadership meeting.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)
  • “I am blessed to have the worlds best and most loving husband. He made me Avgolemono Soup which is the best chicken soup ever! The Greeks know how to mix lemon and egg in such a way to create MAGIC.”🪄🎩(Heather Houston 2-18-26)
  • “I am grateful it is Friday…TGIF!” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)
  • “I appreciate my getting the March schedule and appointments completed before the end of my work day.” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)
  • “I am thankful that after resetting my tire inflation warning light, it did not come on again.  This likely means the tires are inflated correctly and not losing air.  I thought so!” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)
  • “I am blessed to know how to drive a manual transmission.  It has been so much fun commuting with the MINI Cooper.” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)
  • “I am thankful that I have a 3-day weekend to look forward to…President’s Day weekend!” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)

My Musical Life 2-18-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 18th, 2026

#34 Lady Willpower (Gary Puckett & The Union Gap) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Lady Willpower, it’s now or never
Give your love to me and I’ll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly🪄
I know you want to see me but you’re afraid
Of what I might have on my mind
One thing you can be sure of
I’ll take good care of your love
If you will let me give you mine🪄
Lady Willpower, it’s now or never
Give your love to me and I’ll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly🪄
Did no one ever tell you the facts of life
Well there’s so much you have to learn
And I would gladly teach you
If I could only reach you
And get your lovin’ in return🪄
Lady Willpower, it’s now or never
Give your love to me and I’ll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly

My Abundant Life 2-18-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 18th, 2026

Safari Life

“The heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill.”

William Sharp (known as: Fiona Macleod) (Scottish Writer, of Poetry and Literary Biography; September 12th, 1855 ~ December 12th, 1905)

“You could expect many things of God at night when the campfires burned before the tents….You were alone when you sat and talked with the others—and they were alone. …WHat you say has no ready ear but your own, and what you think is nothing except to yourself. The world is there and you are here—and these are the only poles, the only realities. You talk, but who listens? You listen, but who talks?”

Beryl Markham(English-Born Kenyan Aviator, Adventurer, Racehorse Trainer and Author; October 26th, 1902 ~ August 3rd, 1986)

“A safari of the self and Spirit is at times lonely. But we know we are never alone. It is a comfort to realize that this sense of isolation is necessary if we are to encounter Mystery, and mystery is very much a part of safari. Each day in the wilderness brings with it the struggle to survive and a heightened awareness of how wonderful it is just to see the sun set and rise again in the morning. Each day on safari is lived to the fullest because it is all that is guaranteed.”

“Today, expect many things as you sit around the campfire of your heart. Someone is listening. Someone is talking to you, encouraging you to take the next step as you embrace the Mystery of the wilderness within.”

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wonderous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”

My Bucket List

ABUNDANCE
Easter Island, Chile

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“My life has really transformed the last three years. I am the happiest I have ever been, the most confident and living into my authentic self.” (Heather Houston 2-18-22)

“The Mystery of the wilderness within…such a deep concept. The safari dry season I have been navigating within has brough forth the rains again. My mother shared so authentically yesterday it brought tears to my eyes. She contributed profoundly to my life in her sharing. To learn the name of the town my great grandmother lived was a timely and heartfelt sharing. I plan to visit my ancestors homelands and reconnect to my cultural community. I dream of walk the ground of my ancestors and mingling with my people…5-weeks and counting.” (Heather Houston 2-18-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 51-52 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 2-17-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 17th, 2026

  • “I am again thankful for a light commute to work.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
  • “I am thankful it did not snow today.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
  • “I appreciate being able to make a point in a meeting that usually I get shut down in by my management colleagues.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
  • “I am blessed that my administrative assistant made Lithuania pancakes for breakfast.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
  • “I am grateful for the spicy garbanzo bean burrito my husband concocted for our dinner…YUM!” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)
  • “I appreciate me sticking up for myself when my supervisor inadvertently uploaded a file to SharePoint and wiped out 2-3 hours of my work completed the previous day. (Heather Houston 2-17-22)
  • “I am thankful I was able to put aside my frustration with my supervisor and move forward in my work day, productively. (Heather Houston 2-17-22)
  • “I am grateful my partner is a selfless sounding board for my frustrations and challenges. (Heather Houston 2-17-22)
  • “I am thankful to have been selected for an interview with the Wounded Warriors Project as the Adaptive Sports Director position. (Heather Houston 2-17-22)
  • “I am blessed to have had all my professional experiences to make me an asset to any organization as I am versatile and have many soft/hard skills to draw upon. (Heather Houston 2-17-22)