My Abundant Life 2-6-26

February 6th, 2026

Remaking Your Own World

“I have made my world and it is a much better world than I ever saw outside.”

Louise Nevelson (American Sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures; September 23rd, 1899 ~ April 17th, 1988)

“The Quaker tradition teaches that this Light is within each of us. The Quakers, or members of the Religious Society of Friends, are a perfect example of individuals who manage the delicate balance of living in the world but not belonging to it. This is because they refuse to segment their lives into the Sacred and the secular. Instead, Quakers believe that all of life’s daily experiences are spiritual in nature…”

“The essence of Quaker spirituality is the certainty that everything we do has religious significance. It is not cutting ourselves off from life but entering deeply and fully into it.”

George Gorman (U.S. Representative from Illinois; April 13th, 1873 ~ January 13th, 1935)

“Simplicity is the common thread that stitches together Quaker lives, home, and dress. Their weekly worship service, or Meeting, is a silent meditation. Rhythm, reverence, and reflection are their hallmarks. These touchstones can help us as well as we attempt to remake our personal world.”

“Think of the steady, reassuring rhythm of the natural world–the ebb and flow of the tides, the recurring cycle of the four seasons, the monthly phases of the moon, and the daily progression from day into night. Rhythm needs to be the cornerstone in our personal world as well.”

“Today be willing to reflect quietly on the role that rhythm plays in your daily life. Your heart will always tell you what’s working and what’s not. Restoring rhythm to the way you conduct your affairs can bring you contentment and a sense of well-being that will nurture and sustain you when the cares of the world can’t be left behind.”

My Bucket List

Dine Elegantly Outdoors (2022)
Pyramids at Giza, Cairo Egypt

“Today was all about shushing my demons and quieting my mind. My partner is the best at getting me to be present.”💓 (Heather Houston 2-6-22)

“I have found a rhythm in my day to day. Maintaining a regular bedtime is one area which has paid off huge dividends. Focusing on getting enough rest each night has dramatically improved my health and mental capacity.” (Heather Houston 2-6-26)


–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 40-41 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 2-5-26

February 5th, 2026

  • “So grateful my Aunt Sue has a great neuro-surgery team who is direct and straight and direct with the best options for her care.” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)
  • “Blessed to have a husband who makes me one of my favorite breakfasts this morning…Eggs In A Basket.” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)
  • “I appreciate being so productive today at work and go a lot of my many “To Dos” completed.” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)
  • “I am thankful QFC had the barrel-aged feta cheese to add to our Greek Salad for dinner.” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)
  • “I am blessed to be on engagement #3 with my husband…EPIC!” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)

  • “I appreciate my partner making a new chicken dish from New Zealand, Herb & Miso Chicken With Creamy Polenta.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)
    2-5-22 Herb & Miso Chicken With Creamy Polenta
  • “I am thankful I was able to get the launder done.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)
  • “I am thankful my sewing machine was repaired and still going strong.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)
  • “I am grateful for my sewing skills to repair my partner’s jeans so he had more than 1 pair of pants to wear.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)
  • “I am blessed to have a warm safe home to live within.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)

My Musical Life 2-5-26

February 5th, 2026

#20 Dance To The Music (Sly & The Family Stone) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Sing, get on up and dance to the music
Get on up and dance to the music🪄
Dance to the Music, dance to the music
Dance to the Music, dance to the music🪄
All we need is a drummer
For people who only need a beat, yeah
I’m gonna add a little guitar
And make it easy to move your feet🪄
I’m gonna add some bottom
So that the dancers just won’t hide🪄
You might like to hear my organ
I said ride Sally ride, now
(Cynthia, what? Gerry, what?)
If I could hear the horns blow
Cynthia on the throne, yeah🪄
Listen to me
Cynthia and Jerry got a message that’s sayin’
All the squares, go home, yeah-yeah🪄
Listen to the voices🪄
Dance to the Music, dance to the music
Dance to the Music, dance to the music

My Abundant Life 2-5-26

February 5th, 2026

The World Is Too Much With US

“What I mean by living to one’s self is living in the world, as in it, not of it.”

William Hazlitt (English Essayist, Drama and Literary Critic, Painter, Social Commentator, and Philosopher; April 10th, 1778 ~ September 18th, 1830)

“The world is too much with us…Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.”

William Wordsworth (English Romantic Poet; April 7th, 1770 ~ April 23rd, 1850)

“…despite all the doom and gloom that constantly assaults our senses, there is a way for us to ransom our lives and reclaim our futures: it consists in truning away from the world to recognize what in life makes us truly happy…But once we obtain this inner knowledge, we will possess the ability to transform our outer world.”

“You can live a lifetime and, at the end of it, know more about other people than you know abut yourself.”

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

“Wean yourself away from the opinions of others—however talented, creative, and celebrated they may be—as you continue to journey within. Absorb the shock of becoming aware that many of your preferences and opinions are not truly your own. BEgin, instead, to listen for the whisper of your authentic self telling you which way to go. We are always being shown the next steps of our uniquely personal journey.”

“Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced will you be able to hear the Deeper Vibration. Listen carefully. Spirit’s playing your song.”

My Bucket List

Safari In Kenya With Elephants (2022)
The Monastery – Petra, Jordan (2026)

“Today I am committed to finding way to practice self-acceptance.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)

“Flash forward and I really have evolved into really accepting and loving myself. For most my life I struggled with trying to be something I thought others wanted me to be…a hamster on a hamster wheel. Now I am free to be me and that is perfect!” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)


–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 39-40 of 501.

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

Eagle Sighting 2-5-26

February 5th, 2026 @ 7:45AM

Bald Eagle, photo by Mick Thompson

Driving to work at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Jackson Street, I spotted a beautiful bald eagle circling a couple apartment buildings in South King Street area. It was originally perched on one of the building about a block from where I was sitting at a stoplight. Suddenly, it dropped off the building and began catching the updrafts in a circle around this area. 🦅

Daily Gratitude 2-4-22

February 4th, 2022

  • “Grateful for acetaminophen to ease the pain of my biopsy site.” (Heather Houston 2-4-26)
  • “I am thankful it is HUMP DAY!” (Heather Houston 2-4-26)
  • “I appreciate our manager meeting did not run overtime as I need the gifted time back to get a few tasks completed.” (Heather Houston 2-4-26)
  • “I am blessed for a beautiful meal prepared by my loving husband…BBQ RIBS!” (Heather Houston 2-4-26)
  • “I am blessed that my mother’s health is improving.”❤️(Heather Houston 2-4-26)

  • “I am thankful for workdays…especially on Fridays…when I get all my work “To Do’s” completed before the weekend.” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)
  • “I appreciate finding a everyday red wine blend,”Four In Hand”, which was so lovely, I think I need to get a case.” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)
  • “I am thankful to be able to cook alongside my partner as we create and epic rib eye steak dinner!” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)
    2-4-22 Ribeye Steak Dinner
  • “I am thankful the 4th season of “Yellowstone” is turning out as good as the prior seasons!” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)
  • “I am grateful to my partner for calling me on my shit.  I was espousing my attachment to my life circumstances.  Oh wooo is me!  Laying bed later, I realize that I was attached to being a victim of my life.  Instead, he urged me to practice acceptance of my life…good and bad.  Very hard pill to swallow when you actually confront it newly.  I am committed to practice acceptance of all part of me and my life.  I’m sure this will be a life long journey.” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)