My Abundant Life 2-19-26

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

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

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

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

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.”

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

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)

My Musical Life 2-17-26

February 17th, 2026

#32 Cowboys To Girls (The Intruders) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Cowboys to girls
I remember when I used to play shoot ’em up
(Shoot ’em up, bang, bang baby)
I remember when I chased the girls and beat ’em up
But I was young and didn’t understand
But now I’m a grown up man
I know girls are made for kissing
Never knew what I was missing
Now my life is not the same
My whole world has been rearranged
I went from (cowboy to girls)
Oh yes I did
(Cowboys to girls)🪄
I remember when I used to see you jumping rope
(Jumping rope up and down baby)
And I remember when you got your first baby coach
But you were young and didn’t understand
Now you’re a woman and I’m a man
And it’s me that you’re kissing
Ain’t it fun reminiscing
Now our lives are not the same
Our whole world has been rearranged🪄
You went from (pretty dolls to boys)
Oh yes you did
And I went from (cowboys to girls)
Oh yes I did
And it’s me that you’re kissing
Ain’t it fun reminiscing
And my life life is not the same
This whole world has been rearranged
I went from (cowboys to girls)
Oh yes I did
You went from (pretty dolls to boys)
Oh yes I did
I went from (cowboys to girls)

My Abundant Life 2-17-26

February 17th, 2026

A Safari of Self and Spirit

“The woods were made for the hunters of dreams

The brooks for the fisher of song

To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game

The streams and the woods belong.”

Sam Walter Foss (American Librarian and Poet; June 19th, 1858 ~ February 26th, 1911)

“…not only desolate with grief but bereft of purpose.”

Mary Henrietta Kingsley (English Ethnographer, Scientific Writer, and Explorer; October 3rd, 1862 ~ June 3rd, 1900)

“In Africa, to go on safari—the Swahili word for journey—is to leave the comfort and safety of civilization to venture into the wilderness. Each time you listen to the woman within—your authentic self—you do the same.

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition…What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.”

Alan Alda (American Actor and Comedian; January 28th, 1936 ~ )

My Bucket List

Indigenious Vision Quest
Swim With Pigs in Exuma

Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-17-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Reading this today I found myself dreaming of adventure. Riding my motorcycle down the length of PCH. Going on a walk-about. Creating my own vision quest through my indigenous roots. Being free of debt to wander and explore would be glorious!” (Heather Houston 2-17-22)

“I find myself bereft with purpose in my career. I feel an urge to find my place in this world. Particularly since the life I lived for 30 years was far from authentic. I am not in a hurry, but feel a deep wanderlust inside me. My husband has been very supportive and offered for us to get our instruments out of storage to begin exploring our musical interests. I am game as I have not really focused on my music in years. I have spent the last 8-years on a safari of my authentic self and spirit. I yearn for new adventures to explore this beautiful world we inhabit. I am in action of this presently as I soon will be visiting Oklahoma City for an indigenous conference. This will be the first time I am able to sit and commune with people from my culture…Cherokee/Choctaw. I am beyond thrilled! I am hoping I will have time to also visit the town my grandfather and great grandparents resided to simply touch the earth of my ancestors. This is the exploration I am on.” (Heather Houston 2-17-26)


–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 2-16-26

February 16th, 2026

  • “I appreciate I make time at the beginning of my work day to get in a walk outdoors.” (Heather Houston 2-16-26)
  • “I am thankful that there was little to no traffic today due to President’s Day. However, I have no president!” (Heather Houston 2-16-26)
  • “I am grateful to use NotebookLM to help me save time in writing a letter of recommendation for an employee.” (Heather Houston 2-16-26)
  • “I am blessed to have such a loving husband!” ❤️(Heather Houston 2-16-26)
  • “I appreciate my innovative husband’s chefness in creating a delicious shrimp pizza.”(Heather Houston 2-16-26)

  • “I am thankful to have trusted my instincts to not fill my RSC tires.  They felt full and I need to get them checked by a professional since the have an automatic inflation monitoring system. (Heather Houston 2-16-22)
  • “I am grateful I didn’t end my work day with a flat tire, since my warning light is alerting me of a low tire. (Heather Houston 2-16-22)
  • “I appreciate my creativity to create new cocktails for my partner and I to enjoy…Mela d’Alba (Apple Brandy Old Fashioned).🥃 (Heather Houston 2-16-22)
  • “I am grateful I am in generally good health. Of course, I could always do better.  Thank you family gene pool! (Heather Houston 2-16-22)
  • “I appreciate having an indoor secure parking garage space.  It makes me feel safer when I leave at 5:00AM for work. (Heather Houston 2-16-22)

My Musical Life 2-16-26

February 16th, 2026

#31 Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way🪄
Yeah, darlin’, go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once and
Explode into space🪄
I like smoke and lightnin’
Heavy metal thunder
Racin’ with the wind
And the feelin’ that I’m under🪄
Yeah, darlin’, go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once and
Explode into space🪄
Like a true nature’s child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die🪄
Born to be wild
Born to be wild🪄
Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
We’re lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way🪄
Yeah, darlin’ go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once and
Explode into space🪄
Like a true nature’s child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die🪄
Born to be wild
Born to be wild