Tag: American Singer

My Abundant Life 3-23-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 23rd, 2026

Always Be a First-Rate Version of Yourself

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

Judy Garland (American Actress and Singer; June 10th, 1922 ~ June 22nd, 1969)

“You see, whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we’re constantly programmed by the world to be other women, not ourselves. …With this pervasive social schizophrenia, it’s no wonder that most women are terribly confused about the issue of authenticity.”

“According to Webster’s Dictionary, to be authentic is to be ‘not imaginary, false or imitation.’ To be authentic is to be ‘genuine, veritable, bona fide, being actually and precisely what is claimed.’ The only thing that we can genuinely claim to be is ourselves. But our best is good enough, even on a bad day.”

“We are all hard on ourselves. We not only want to be other people, we want to be perfect versions of them.”

“We should only strive to be a first-rate version of ourselves. And our best is always good enough.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-23-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Where do we learn this odd behavior of trying to be someone we are not. We reach for the ideal of being someone other than ourselves. I have spent a lifetime trying to be someone…anyone other than myself. Makes me sad to think I never thought I was enough.” (Heather Houston 3-23-22)

“Growing up in a family of quilters, the below quote speaks volumes to being your authentic self and that perfection is ridiculous…” (Heather Houston 3-23-26

“…Amish quilters will deliberately add a mismatched patch to each quilt to remind themselves that only Spirit can create perfectly/”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 89-90 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 1-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

January 2nd, 2026

Loving The Questions

“You only live once—but if you work it right, once is enough.”

Joe E. Lewis (American Comedian, Actor and Singer; January 12th 1902 ~ June 4th, 1971)

“How often in the past have you turned away from all that is unresolved in your heart because you feared questioning?”

“The last three years have been transformative. The turning away was mostly during my abusive marriage. It was hard to confront my circumstances due to the guilt and shame I silently carried for more than 3 decades. Breaks my heart to say that a huge chunk of my life was in the denial space. However, the freedom and power I have now in my life has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Dreaming feels possible again.” (Heather Houston 1-2-22)

“2026 marks the time I will not just be selectively authentic as I realize sometimes I even censor myself. I only have this one beautiful life to live into and I commit to LIVING it to it completely with all its blessing and shadows.” (Heather Houston 1-2-26)

“But what if you knew that a year from today you could be living the most creative, joyous, and fulfilling life you could imagine? What would it be? What changes would you make? How and where would you begin? Do you see why the questions are so important?”

“I absolutely see that future. I imagine living in a seasonally warm location. Access to a boat for travel and pleasure. I would be there with the love of my life hosting a podcast and touring for speaking engagements. We would own a tequila/mezcal/whiskey bar that served our favorite cocktails and food. Nightly, there would be various live music and dancing on a sand dance floor. We also travel the world to distilleries and sample tequila/mezcal/whiskey. “The major changes would be to reduce the amount of “stuff” I have; to live more simply. I would put money away in savings and investments to create a funding possibility. I would solicit vendors to sponsor our podcast. I choose to begin now as my life in NOW. I have 100% of my life left and no time to waste. I can begin by researching locations and countries I would like to live in long-term. Researching the commercial real estate of locations that interest me will afford me a strategy and approach to make my possibility become reality. All questions around possibility are valuable to create access to action. New actions lead to unexpected outcomes.” (Heather Houston 1-2-22)

“I really feel I am living into my full authentic self. I am leaning in hard! I live every day as the best date and party ever. Evert day I have glorious sex, have a scrumptious cocktail, eat delicious food, and spend time with the love of my life. I am certain there is nothing finer than this as lived. I am blessed.” (Heather Houston 1-2-26)

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not seek the answers which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them and the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. …”

René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke (known as: Rainier Maria Rilke) (Austrian Poet and Novelist; December 4th 1875 ~ December 29th, 1926)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 2-3 of 501.

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