Tag: American Author

My Abundant Life 3-10-26

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March 10th, 2026

You Are Not Your Appearance, but Does the Rest of the World Know That?

“The tragedy of our time is that we are so eye centered, so appearance besotted.”

Jessamyn West (American Author of Short Stories and Novels; July 17th, 1902 ~ February 23rd, 1984)

“All of us can pull ourselves together some of the time. Some of us can pull ourselves together all of the time. But none of us wants to be ‘pulled together’ every single moment of our lives.”

“Probably you were taught, as I was, that how we present ourselves to the world is very important. Unfortunately, our outside packaging counts for far more than it really should. Often, when we don’t live up to the world’s expectations of how we should look or behave, we fall victim to a vicious circle of self-loathing and denial that can be difficult to escape from unscathed. At times like these, it’s a comfort to remember that our souls are more dazzling than cellophane.”

“Beauty is an internal light, a spiritual radiance that all women have but most women hide, unconsciously, denying its existence. What we do not claim remains invisible. It’ is God’s will that we be beautiful, that we love and be loved and prosper in all good things. It is God’s will that we all become the goddesses we were created to be.”

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

“But as you become more intimate with your authentic self–as you recover your true, incandescent identity–there will come a gradual but undeniable physical transformation. It is absolutely impossible to commit to your spiritual growth, awaken your own radiant Light and not have it reveal itself on the outside.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“As a sapio/demi-sexual, I am trapped to seeing others insides before I see their outsides. Since I see the world this way I expect other to also. Regrettably, I am a very small part of the population…single digits. This might be why I always felt out of place. I often wish I was just “normal” like everyone else who is driven by appearance as a primary motivator.” (Heather Houston 3-10-22)

“‘It is God’s will that we all become the goddesses we were created to be.’-Marianne Williamson. I love this most of all as my husband has helped me find my inner goddess and she is sexy hot and fun!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 77-78 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-8-26

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March 8th, 2026

Taking the Plunge

“Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have.”

Doris Mortman (Author; 1944 ~ )

“Simplicity gains importance in our lives as we begin to make peace with ourselves. This is because we gradually come to the inner awareness that we don’t need to gild the lily. Some of the trappings can be relinquished because the Real Thing is finally ready to be revealed.”

“I call this point in the Simple Abundance process ‘taking the plunge’ because it involves a courageous leap of faith in the most intimate way: exploring the way we express ourselves to the outside world through our personal our personal appearance. But this is much more than just how we dress or style our hair. It’s about the many subtle ways we choose either to celebrate or conceal our authenticity. It’s about finally acknowledging and accepting the woman within. It’s about learning to become comfortable with who we really are.”

“We are not born all at once, but by bits. The body first, and the spirit later. Our mothers are racked with the pains of our physical birth; we ourselves suffer the longer pains of our spiritual growth.”

Mary Antin (American Author and Immigration Rights Activist; June 13th, 1881 ~ May 15th, 1949)

“One is not born a woman, one becomes one.”

Simone Lucie Ernestine Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir (French Existentialist Philosopher, Writer, Social Theorist, and Feminist Activist; January 9th, 1908 ~ April 14th, 1986)

“This becoming takes time. We need time to consider, time to reflect, time to make creative choices, time to emerge from the cocoon, time to clean out our closets, and time to clear away psychic cobwebs so that we might pare down to our essence.”

“Some of us have remained dormant for years–oblivious to our genuine beauty–drugged senseless by our own numbing disapproval, nagging doubts, and benign neglect. Coping strategies that once brought a sense of relief now only offers regret. To undo the damage and reconnect with our authentic selves we need to take the plunge, confident that Spirit is holding the net. Above all, we need to treat ourselves gently with the kindness we would bestow on amnesiacs who need the patient reassurance of their true identities.”

My Bucket List

Learning to love yourself
Arrive By Seaplane

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-8-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Such a hard pill to swallow. I am definitely not kind to myself as my story tells me I am not worthy, enough, beautiful, valued and wanted. I fight this everyday. Somedays I feel like I am winning and some days I feel worse than a loser. I wish for myself to have more winning days. I deserve that much from myself.” ❣ (Heather Houston 3-8-22)

“I have chosen to give myself grace instead of being my worst enemy and battling and berating myself needlessly. This is easy to say, and it is a constant intention to quiet the stories running in my head. What I have learned that the greater silence I experience at this point in my life is so healing.” (Heather Houston 3-8-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 75-76 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-25-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 25th, 2026

Reordering Your Priorities

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose.”

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Swiss-American Psychiatrist; July 8th, 1926 ~ August 24th, 2004)

“…the centrifugal forces of today.”

Anne Morrow Lindbergh (American Author and Aviator; June 22nd, 1906 ~ February 7th, 2001)

“I find it helpful to think of priorities as the wooden frame upon which we stretch the canvas of our days so that we may apply color and form to the work of art we are creating without the entire painting collapsing in the middle.”

“Quiet time alone, contemplation, prayer, music, a centering line of thought or reading, of study or work. It can be physical or intellectual or artistic, any creative life proceeding from oneself. It need not be an enormous project or great work. But it should be something of one’s own. Arranging a bowl of lowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day…What matters is that one be for a time inwardly attentive.”

Anne Morrow Lindbergh (American Author and Aviator; June 22nd, 1906 ~ February 7th, 2001)

“Today make getting in touch with the Silence within yourself your first priority. As you do, you will be amazed at how everything else seems to find its own order.”

My Bucket List

Blackfeet Warrior (Drawing w/Charcoal Powder); By: Jason Tako
Discover the magnificent, turquoise tiered waterfalls of Kuang Si, Laos

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-25-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I wasn’t very good at finding the Silence within myself today. Work was very stressful and after a 9-hour shift without a break, I was pooped. TGIF!” (Heather Houston 2-25-22)

“My priority is sustaining a loving and happy marriage with my husband. We create one another each day newly and then live into the day as the best date/party ever. Truly, it is a remarkable life and way to live. I cherish also my inward attentive moments like now when I read and reflect on a daily devotional. Giving back to myself fills my ‘Battery’. Loving my husband is my most beautiful work of art!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 59-60 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-23-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 23rd, 2026

Making Your Own Imprint

“God is in the details.”

Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (German-American Architect; March 27th, 1886 ~ August 18th, 1969)

“You move into a completely empty house and start from scratch–money is not a consideration. Write down twenty specifics for your ideal home from architectural features to furnishings that are ‘must haves’ for you. …Are any of these items from your past? Where did you first encounter them? How long have you been dreaming about them? Are there any items from your childhood home?”

  • “20 Architectural Features & Furnishing Must Haves
    1. Sun porch (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    2. Soft chaise lounge in sun porch (In a furniture store; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    3. Overstuffed leather chair with brass button brad detail in a library (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    4. Library with leatherbound books and a fireplace (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    5. Walk in pantry (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    6. Large hearth in living room with a large threshold and bench area to sit upon in front of the hearth. (Grandmother’s House & Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    7. Fireplace in every room (saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    8. Claw-foot bath tub (Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    9. Gas 6 burner with griddle area stove/oven (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    10. Deep farmer’s sink in kitchen (saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    11. Marble counters in kitchen (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    12. Outdoor fireplace/fire pit (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    13. Outdoor kitchen and BBQ (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    14. Outdoor cabana with outdoor TV (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    15. Pool with jacuzzi/spa (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    16. Office shared with my partner (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    17. 3-car garage (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    18. Fenced yard so Kiva can play and go indoors to outdoors at will (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    19. 2 Walk in closets with dressing areas (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    20. Craft/Sewing room (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    21. Window seats in dining room or family room (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).” (Heater Houston 2-23-22)

“Next, imagine that your closet and drawers are empty. You need to fill them. What are the first ten things you would either hang up or put away? You may either keep favorites from your present wardrobe or buy entirely new items. Which comes first for you, comofrt or career?”

  • “10 Wardrobe Item Must Haves (Comfort is primary over career)
    1. 20 pair of soft cotton thongs
    2. 20 pairs soft cotton ankle socks
    3. Flannel pajama pants with soft long sleeve t-shirt
    4. Soft night sleep shirts
    5. Sweat pants and sweat shirts
    6. Jeans
    7. T-shirts
    8. Sneakers
    9. Sweaters
    10. Sexy Tops” (Heather Houston 2-23-22)

“Your kitchen cabinets are bare. You need to buy new china, flatware, glasses, and linens for everyday use and for entertaining. Where do you begin? What pattern do you want to see every day? What shape glass do you enjoy drinking from?”

  • “I would have a formal china pattern with a modern design and simple elegant flatware and a daily set that is less formal. However, I would use both interchangeably without concern for special occasions.
  • The formal china would be hydrangea floral pattern or a modern graphic design.
  • I prefer round edge glassware. Something with a heavier base feel. Stemware and martini glassware needs to be durable and yet as thin as possible.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“The soap in the bathroom, the flowers in the garden, the book on the bedside table are all strong symbols of life in progress. …You look at theses details and a world unfolds.”

Charlotte Moss (American Interior Designer and Author; Unknown ~)

“By paying attention to the details–your authentic gestures–you give expression to the most personal of all the arts: making your own imprint on life.”

My Bucket List

Button Tufted Leather Chair
The Netherlands

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“It is super fun to play a mental game of “what if”. I have eclectic taste which is combined with my love of texture and comfort. All pieces and rooms in my dream house would be useable versus art pieces. I love a house filled with love and lived in. A home needs to have character.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“I reread my 2022 entries above for if I was to fill a new home with those items important to me, what I would fill my wardrobe with and the glassware and eating ware that I prefer. Fascinating that I put so much energy into this back then. Likely, because I had never even considered any of it as finances have always been strained, so survival was my only concern. Now I realize I am much more practical with what I want vs. need. I feel great in my on skin, so I am not on a quest to find things to flourish myself as I am enough without special clothes or furnishings. Truly blessed to be at this point in my life living abundantly vs. scarcity.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 56-57 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-21-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 21st, 2026

Excavating the Real You, Part I

“Maybe being oneself is always an acquired taste.”

Patricia Hampl (American Memoirist, Writer, Lecturer, and Educator; March 12th, 1946 ~ )

“We must dig patiently with our pens to excavate our real selves….And fo what are we searching? Shards of our authentic self.”

“As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.”

Joan Baez (American Singer, Songwriter, Musician, and Activist; January 9th, 1941 ~ )

“The more we learn about ourselves and our preferences, the easier it is to make these choices. And creative choice is at the heart of authenticity.”

“Choice confers freedom–the freedom to embrace the new because it speaks to your soul and you are listening. Today be willing to consider the choices you have made in the past as you trace your life. Have they been the right ones for you? Do you make choices with your heart, mind, or gut? Are you comfortable with your style of making choices, or do you wish to try a different approach? Was there something you did not choose in the past that, with hindsight, you now wished you had?”

“Perhaps a long-buried dream still calls to you from a road you chose not to take. If this is true, then stop telling yourself that it’s too late.”

“Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations.”

Faith Baldwin (American Author; October 1st, 1893 ~ March 18th, 1978)

“The delay of our dreams does not mean that they have been denied. Perhaps now you have the wisdom to make alterations in your dream so that it can come true. Perhaps now you have the wisdom to choose differently.”

My Bucket List

WISDOM
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-21-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Certainly not all of my choices have been right. But, what is right? I am here now in a life that I am happy, joyful, and living authentically. Maybe all the choices needed to happen to get me here. If so, I would change nothing and do it all over again. I have always made choices using all three: mind, gut, heart. I am very intuitive and rely on this to guide me. I like the style I make choices, but sometimes wish I had even more of a carefree attitude. I think being neglected as a child and put in situations where my basic needs were not being met, led me to look for certainty in my life. I realize certainty is an unreality, but it was the only touchstone I had in my tool kit. I think there are always shoulda…coulda…wouldas for everyone in there past. Sometimes I think the access to a path is not available due to us not being ready yet.” (Heather Houston 2-21-22)

“I definitely make choices based on my heart, mind and gut. As an empath, I can’t avoid what I feel, sense and see. I don’t want my energies to be wound up in lamenting the past as my present is so fulfilling. My path was what is was to get me her and I am so thankful. I am the happiest I have ever been and am living in a loving relationship with my beloved husband and best friend.” (Heather Houston 2-21-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 54-55 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-14-26

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February 14th, 2026

Buried Dreams

“Where there is great love there are always miracles.”

Willa Cather (American Writer; December 12th, 1873 ~April 24th, 1947)

“Once we were going to set the world on fire. Remember? Today we all have our share of ashes, along with the memory of a few bright sparks, to show for our efforts. Ove the years we’ve buried many a precious dream under layers of soot and rubble. Layers of naivete, good intentions, relinquishment, bitter failures, detours, disappointments, rejections, wrong choices, bad timing, bungled efforts, stupid mistakes, unforseen circumstances, whims of fate and missed opportunities. It’s no wonder that we’ll need courage to retrace our steps.”

“…courage is the price that Life extracts for granting peace.”

Amelia Mary Earhart (American Aviation Pioneer and Author; July 24th, 1897 ~ Disappeared July 2nd, 1937 ~ Declared Dead January 5th, 1939)

“A wise woman once advised me not to be a ‘would-be-if-I-could-be or a could-be-if-I-would-be. Just be.’ And while I have learned that dreams need doing as much as they need being, I have learned that the being always come first.”

“Today is a day for being. Be with those you love, be kind to yourself. Be quiet and call forth the dream you buried long ago. The ember is still glowing in your soul. See it in your mind, hold it tenderly in your heart.”

“The dream was always running ahead of one…TO catch up, to live for a moment in union with it, that was the miracle.”

Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell (French-Cuban-American Diarist, Essayist, Novelist and Writer of Short Stories and Erotica; February 21st, 1903, 1911 ~ January 14th, 1977)

My Bucket List

Relax on Tikehau Island Beach, Tikehau Island, French Polynesia
  • Wine Taste in Walla Walla

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-14-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Today felt like my first Valentines Day ever. I actually am spending a Valentines with someone I love and who loves me back…just the way I am. He is my one and only Valentine and I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. I bought him a dozen red roses, our favorite bottle of wine and dinner (pesto linguine and fillets) for us to cook to create a delicious meal. FABULOUS!”💗 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)

“Today I reclaimed Valentines Day for myself. Not interested in the commercial hype. Quite simply I am pampering and lavishing my husband with love. Being with him in a day to celebrate our passion for one another.” ❤️❤️❤️ (Heather Houston 2-14-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 48-49 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-7-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 7th, 2026

An Artist Is Someone Who Creates

“I have made my world and it is a much better world thLiving is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how…The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”

Agnes DeMille (American Dancer and Choreographer; September 18th, 1905 ~ October 7th, 1993)

“Every day we’re given chances to embrace the new.”

“…take a risk a day—one small or bold stroke that makes you feel great once you have done it.”

Susan Jeffers (American Psychologist and Author of self-help literature; March 3rd, 1938 ~ October 27th, 2012)

“Today, take a real risk that can change your life: start thinking of yourself as an artist and your life as a work-in-progress. Works-in-progress are never perfect. But changes can be made to the rough draft during rewrites. Another color can be added to the canvas. The film can be tightened during editing. Art evolves. So does life. Art is never stagnant. Neither if life. The beautiful, authentic life you are creating for yourself and those you love is your art. It’s the highest art.”

“Since you are like no other being ever creted since the beginning of time, you are incomparable.”

Brenda Ueland (Journalist, Editor, Freelance Writer, and Teacher of writing; October 24th, 1891 ~ March 5th, 1985)

My Bucket List

Drive the Autoban In Style
Dancing at Carnival in Rio.

“Mondays are always a busy day at work, but I felt proud that I accomplished all my duties. So poopy tired when I returned home today, my partner suggested I take a nap. Late afternoon naps are simply glorious!” (Heather Houston 2-7-22)

“I believe today’s meditation is speaking to the idea of leading a created life. Style is where I struggle with this. I only recently have been in a financial circumstance where I could begin to explore this. I believe exploring how I want to show up for me is most important. Sometimes I feel practical…sometimes I feel androgenous…sometimes I feel delicate…sometimes I feel sexy…sometimes I feel powerful… I wonder what that style looks like? This is the inquiry I am on. Wish me luck!”🍀(Heather Houston 2-7-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 41-42 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-3-26

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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.

My Abundant Life 1-28-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

January 28th, 2026

The Illustrated Discovery Journal

“Knowledge of what you love somehow comes to you; you don’t have to read nor analyze nor study. If you love a thing enough, knowledge of it seeps into you, with particulars more real than any chart can furnish.”

Jessamyn West (American Author of Short Stories and Novels; July 18th, 1902 ~ February 23rd, 1984)

“The key to loving how you live is in knowing what it is you truly love.”

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive.”

Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish Novelist, Essayist, Poet and Travel Writer; November 13th, 1850 ~ December 3rd, 1894)

“One of the most pleasurable ways to start finding out your personal preferences is by creating an illustrated discovery journal. This is your explorer’s log as you begin to make your way into the darkest terra incognita: your authentic inner world. We feed our imaginations and get in touch with our authenticity by gathering together beautiful images that speak to our souls.”

“Meditating on one visual image a day can jump-start your creativity and lead to revealing insights.”

“At night before you go to bed, when you’re in a drowsy, relaxed, and receptive state,…” select images and place in your “Illustrated Discovery Journal.” = My Bucket List…”Soon they will give you directions about where your heart wants you to go.”

My Bucket List

Positano, Italy (2022)
Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil (2026)

“I found a couple new job opportunities that seem to have fallen into my lap today. All three are within my professional expertise and potentially advance my career while paying me what I am worth. I am revamping my resume to market myself specific to these positions. I know a few people with in two of the organizations I am applying to who I am reaching out to for referrals. Here goes my hat…throwing it into the ring.”🤞(Heather Houston 1-28-22)

“I am at a point in my career where making a difference and having an impact is paramount. Today, One of our social workers was planning a visit to an indigenous youth and wanted to develop a connection. This youth is transexual and 9-years old. I encouraged the social worker to connect with the youth’s tribe who offered to provide him a quilt. I also suggested he visit 8th Generation in Seattle to purchase a blanket for the youth. She picked a purple toned blanket. I also encouraged the social worker to connect with the youth’s identity by gifting her a hair accessory. The social worker was not sure what to get so I offered to make her something as an indigenous elder. Below is what I created and I hope this gift will help her be seen as she sees herself.” (Heather Houston 1-28-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 29-30 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 1-27-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

January 27th, 2026

The Daily Dialogue

“I will write myself into well-being.”

Nancy Mair (Author; July 23rd, 1943 ~ December 3rd, 2016)

“I took a spiral notebook and began having a conversation with myself on the paper. Everything I was worried about just pilled out in a rapid stream of consciousness. What I was doing was not so much recording the events in my life as much as eliminating the mental minutiae that was depleting my creative energy and driving me crazy.”

“Groan and forget it.”

Jessamyn West (American Author of short stories and Novels; July 18th, 1902 ~ February 23rd, 1984)

“I call this ritual the daily dialogue because you are really conversing with someone much wiser and saner as you write: your authentic self.”

“Try writing a daily dialogue as an experiment for twenty-one days. That’s the length of time psychologists tell us we need to perform a new behavior before it becomes habitual….Stressed souls need the reassuring rhythm of self-nurturing rituals.”

“Just get down on paper whatever’s hovering on the horizon of your brain disguised as a dull headache.”

“With pencil and paper, I could revise the world.”

Alison Lurie (American Novelist and Academic; September 3rd, 1926 ~ December 3rd, 2020)

“The last few weeks have been frustrating as I learned my salary for the next 5-years in my current contract was not even near the COLA (2.5%) increase annually. What is did for me was give me clarity on my next steps in my career. With this shift, I was able to let go of some of the frustrations in my current workplace. I am still doing complete work, but I am not going above and beyond. This has given me relief in the level of stressors in my work environment. My co-workers are beginning to realize what I was actually doing for the team and what is now left for them to complete without my assistance. I am on a quest to find the perfect fit for my new career chapter. This excites me and I am committed to strive toward this without fear or reservation. I appreciate knowing how much my employer values me so I can find a place and a position where my efforts and contributions will be valued for what they are.”🙏 (Heather Houston 1-27-22)

“My biopsy really zapped my energy. It is not everyday you get a puncture wound the size of a 1/4-thikness of an arrow. Yes, I said an arrow like Robin Hood. I found at the end of he day I felt like I collapsed into bed from the sheer ongoing ache and soreness. I can’t wait until my histology results are complete so I can close this chapter.” (Heather Houston 1-27-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 27-29 of 501.

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