My Abundant Life 2-3-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 3rd, 2026

Discovering Your Authentic Self

“To love oneself id the beginning of a life-long romance.”

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (Irish Poet and Playwright; October 16th, 1854 ~ November 30th, 1900)

“One of the surprises that comes when you catch glimpses of your authentic self is the discovery that she’s such a positive, upbeat woman. She’s always smiling. She’s always calm. She’s always reassuring. She exudes confidence. Who is this woman, you might ask, and does she bear any resemblance to you?”

“Yes and no. This is who you are on the inside. The real you. If you don’t act this way all the time, it’s simply because you haven’t evolved to a higher plane of existence yet.”

“…embrace the Goddess…When a woman falls in love with the magnificent possibilities within herself, the forces that would limit those possibilities hold less and less sway over her.”

Marianne Deborah Williamson (American Author, Spiritual Leader, and Political Activist; July 8th, 1952 ~ )

“When moments like these occur, we tend to think that all’s right with the world. Everything just fell into place. What we don’t realize is that all’s right with ourselves. We’re in the flow of life and loving it. We’re in place that special alignment when authenticity and reality merge into Wholeness.”

“But how do we tap into this spiritual energy source more often? How do we access the flow of life more frequently? How do we learn to live at full throttle?”

“…above all, being open to change. Welcoming it.”

“Watch. Wait. Time will unfold and fulfill its purpose. While we wait, we must not go unconscious. We must think and grow. Rejoice and dream, but kneel and pray. There is holiness in the air today; we are giving birth to goddesses. They are who we are, for they are us: friends, therapists, artists, businesswomen, teachers, healers, mothers. Start laughing, girls. We have a new calling.”

Marianne Deborah Williamson (American Author, Spiritual Leader, and Political Activist; July 8th, 1952 ~ )

My Bucket List

Drive The Whole PCH (2022)
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland (2026)

“Hot ‘n cold, that was how the day went. A whirlwind of test driving cars and getting blasted by hungry used car salesmen. I thought I was going to drive a car home tonight, but it seemed to fall apart as the salesmen began shuffling the price, warranties and lenders. I left without a deal and felt strong for not caving in. Best of all my partner was there to support me the whole time. Hard going through transformation. Funny how people have no idea what every other person is going through or what they might be dealing with. For me it was my first attempt at buying my own car ever. It will happen soon and I will have learned a ton and be more confident on the other side.”😘 (Heather Houston 2-3-22)

“I am the goddess birthed by my own commitment to being present in my own life. The sacredness of each of our journeys is reflected in our own transformation.” (Heather Houston 2-3-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 37-38 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 2-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 2nd, 2026

  • “I am grateful for Tylenol to alleviate the pain from the internal knitting and severe bruising.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)
  • “I am thankful for being able to catch up on creating and editing minutes from last week’s meetings.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)
  • “I am grateful to be able to complete an easy row workout so I can help my lymph system regulate for my body to heal.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)
  • “I am blessed to have a job during these uncertain times.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)
  • “I am grateful to be married to my best friend in the whole world!” 🌎(Heather Houston 2-2-26)
  • “I appreciate my partner initiating a used car search for us by finding a local seller.” (Heather Houston 2-2-22)
  • “I am thankful the seller of the used car let us take the car without a deposit to get it mechanically checked.” (Heather Houston 2-2-22)
  • “I am grateful that the mechanics who checked the used car I was interested in were extremely frank with the uncertain status of the used car so I wouldn’t buy a lemon🍋. They even wrote up the indicators for the seller so she new what to do before selling the car in the future.” (Heather Houston 2-2-22)
  • “I am thankful my partner is gently pushing me through my first car buying experience with patience and care.” (Heather Houston 2-2-22)
  • “I am blesses to come home after a long day to a warm home with a happy dog and loving partner.”💓 (Heather Houston 2-2-22)

My Musical Life 2-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 2nd, 2026

#17 Stoned Soul Picnic (The 5th Dimension) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Can you surry, can you picnic, whoa?
Can you surry, can you picnic?
Come on, come on and surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There’ll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine
Stoned soul, stoned soul, whoa🪄
Come on, come on and surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Rain and sun come in again
And from the sky come the Lord and the lightning
And from the sky come the Lord and the lightning
Stoned soul, stoned soul
Surry on, soul🪄
Surry, surry, surry, surry🪄
There’ll be trains of blossoms (There’ll be trains of blossoms)
There’ll be trains of music (There’ll be music)
There’ll be trains of trust, trains of golden dust
Come along and surry on, sweet trains of thought, surry on down
Can you surry, can you surry, can you surry?🪄
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There’ll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine (Red yellow honey)
Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine, moonshine
Stoned soul, yeah
Surry on, soul🪄
Surry, surry, surry, surry
Surry, surry, surry, surry
Surry, surry, surry, surry

My Abundant Life 2-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 2nd, 2026

Knowing What You Love

“Perhaps loving something is the only starting place there is for making your life your own.”

Alice Koller (American Writer and Academic; September 13, 1925 ~ )

“It should be straightforward, this knowing what we love. But it seldom is. After decades of letting other people influence us—…The only opinion that counts from now on is your own.”

“Be open to authentic aspirations.”

“Remember this is the year for asking questions. The most essential one we can ask is: what is it I truly love?”

“Trust that your authentic life will unfold naturally and with grace.”

My Bucket List

Swim With Manta Rays (2022)
Sea Turtles off the coast of Cristobal, Galapagos (2026)

“I got my resume done and applied for both positions. I reached out to my connection for a referral/recommendation. I feel accomplished.” (Heather Houston (2-2-26)

“Knowing what you love or what your style is comes with exposure and time. I didn’t grow up on a household with matching furniture, that was for those with privilege. I didn’t have sisters to chat and share my interests with. I have found that practicality wins most of the time. However, I have lately been feeling the urge to expand myself into my self expression with what I wear. I think visiting a clothing store might be in my cards in the next few weeks. I intend to begin assembling a few pieces that speak to who I am and the style I enjoy.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 36-37 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 2-1-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily Gratitudes4 Comments

February 1st, 2026

  • “I am thankful my husband reminded me to begin the days with alternating hot and cold packs on my biopsy site. Amazing how this helps the circulation and lymph system clear the bruising.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)
    • “I am grateful we got our Costco shopping done earlier in the day so we could relax the balance of our Sunday together.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)
  • “I appreciate my husband helping break up the proteins we purchased into meal sizes so we could freeze them for future use.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)
  • “I am blessed to live in a time with readily access to food items from around the word. Affording us an opportunity to create delicious exotic meals. It is my little way of traveling without leaving my kitchen.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)
  • “I am thankful my husband’s imagination in the kitchen tonight made a yummy pizza for dinner. He used his famous ‘green sauce’ as a base and it came out fantastic.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)
  • “I am grateful for the laughter between myself and my swimmers as I egged them on to start their workout in the freezing pool water🥶. I’m a sadistic coach.” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)
  • “I appreciate my partner listening to me as I vent stress of my uncertainty and ongoing “To Do” list. He is so patient with me.”♥️ (Heather Houston 2-1-22)
  • “I am thankful for a light dinner of bao dumplings and beer.” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)
  • “I appreciate the movie alignment with my partner as we watched Gandhi…again. Just love this flick!” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)
  • “I am blessed to have drifted off to sleep so quickly last night as I was wiped out.” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)

My Musical Life 2-1-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 1st, 2026

#16 Cry Like A Baby (The Box Tops) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
When I think about the good love you gave me
I cry like a baby
Livin’ without you is drivin’ me crazy
I cry like a baby
Well, I know now that you’re not a play thing
Not a toy or a puppet on a string🪄
As I look back on a love so sweet now
I cry like a baby
Every road is a lonely street
I cry like a baby
I know now that you’re not a play thing
Not a toy or a puppet on a string🪄
Today we passed on the street
And you just walked on by
My heart just fell to my feet
And once again I began to cry🪄
When I think about the good love you gave me
I cry like a baby (Cry like a baby)
Livin’ without you is drivin’ me crazy
I cry like a baby (Cry like a baby)🪄
I know now that you’re not a play thing
I cry like a baby (Just like a little bitty baby now)
As I look back on a love so sweet now
I cry like a baby (Just like a little bitty baby now)🪄
Every road is a lonely street
I cry like a baby (Cry like a baby)
My heart just fell to my feet, you know
I cried like a baby (Cry like a baby)
You left the water runnin’ now (Cry like a baby)
I cried like a baby (Cry like a baby)

My Abundant Life 2-1-26 (Part 2/2)

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 1st, 2026

Creative Excursions: The Gift of Time

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself

I loathe and invite my soul…”

Walter Whitman (American Poet, Essayist and Journalist; May 31st, 1819 ~ March 26th, 1892)

“Creative excursions are regular solo rendezvous with your authentic self designed for this purpose. In the beginning of any intimate relationship the best gift you can offer another person is the investment of quality time together. So it is with your authentic self.”

“When you embark on creative excursions, your authentic self will lovingly reveal to you the beautiful mystery that is you. This occurs spontaneously as you make the pursuit of personal growth a sacred endeavor.”

“Creative excursions require an investment of time, not money.”

“…once we realize that nurturing our imaginations and developing a relationship with our authentic selves is an investment we can no longer afford to put off.”

My Bucket List

NOLA (2022)
San Blas Islands, Panama (2026)

“Well, wouldn’t you know it, I did it again. Putting off what I should do. UGH! No more. Working on my resume now!!!” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)

“I have added a weekly creative excursion to my calendar on Fridays so I an reconnect to my authentic self and pay amends to her for not nurturing this part of her deep desire. This could be anything that will dedicate time to my authentic self…small or large…alone or with my husband. The point is to take time each week to acknowledge and feed my soul. It feels a bit selfish, and I am learning to put myself first after a lifetime of placing myself last or not at all. I am blessed my husband supports me in this general idea of filling my cup first before filling others. Part of this commitment will include rewatching or watching for the first time films throughout my lifetime. I think rewatching these films will bring up fond memories of times in the past as well as seeing them newly with my new outlook on life.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 35-36 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-1-26 (Part 1/2)

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 1st, 2026

February

“China tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets—that is my mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon.”

Constance Spry OBE (British Educator, Florist and Author; December 5th, 1886 ~ January 3rd, 1960)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 35 of 501.

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

Daily Gratitude 1-31-22

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

January 31st, 2022

  • “I appreciate my husband committed to feeding Genevieve or sourdough starter so I could use a portion of her to make buttermilk sourdough pancakes for breakfast.” (Heather Houston 1-31-26)
  • “I am thankful Arsenal beat Leeds in today in the EPL. Go Gunners!” ⚽️(Heather Houston 1-31-26)
  • “I am blessed to have a family who connects with me in meaningful ways.” (Heather Houston 1-31-26)
  • “I appreciate the green sauce my husband made for our steak dinner tonight…scrumptious!” (Heather Houston 1-31-26)
  • “I am thankful my husband has a similar sense of humor and gets me.” (Heather Houston 1-31-26)
  • “I am thankful I got all my monthly reports submitted…on time.” (Heather Houston 1-31-22)
  • “I appreciate the banter my swim athlete had with me at practice. It added to our relatedness as coach and athlete.” (Heather Houston 1-31-22)
  • “I am thankful for the young soldier who waited to hold the door open for me at the gym. Very polite gentleman.” (Heather Houston 1-31-22)
  • “I am thankful for a partner who will hear me bitch and complain about a frustrating work scenario. He supports me through thick and thin.” (Heather Houston 1-31-22)
  • “I am grateful to my partner for helping me review, test drive and potentially purchase my first car ever. Daunting experience, but with him in my corner, I feel confident.” (Heather Houston 1-31-22)