Tag: English Essayist

My Abundant Life 3-24-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 24th, 2026

The Secret Saboteur: When You’re Feeling Blue

“Listening to your heart is not simple. Finding out who you are is not simple. It takes a lot of hard work and courage to get to know who you are and what you want.”

Sue Bender (Author; Unknown)

“When the dark days come, we need to remember that even if a secret saboteur–depression–is at work temporarily derailing our progress (or so it seems), each day offers us a gift if we will only look for it.”

“All the best transformations are accompanied by pain. That’s the point of them.”

Fay Weldon CBE, FRSL (English Author, Essayist and Playwright; September 22nd, 1931 ~ )

“Personal growth also comes in spasms: three steps forward, two steps back, and then a long plateau when it seems as though nothing happening. But it’s important to realize that this dormant period always seems to precede a growth spurt. Unfortunately, during the dormant period we vey often become depressed and decide to give up.”

“When dark clouds hover, what should you do besides holding on and riding out the storm? You have two choices. One is simply to give in, stop resisting. You’ve got the blues, so sing them, baby. But before you do, ask for grace. Then have a good cry.”

“Dark days come to all of us. Yet discouraging days bring with them golden opportunities when we can learn to be kind to ourselves. Believe it or not, today offers you a hidden gift, if you are willing to search for it.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-24-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“When those dark days come, I often need an out loud crying moment. Then I need to seek out my partner to share. Usually if I speak my pain, within 24-hours, I am recharged to fight again.” (Heather Houston 3-24-22)

“Somedays feel like 3-steps forward and 2-steps back, and the truth it to stay the course and leave expectations sidelined. Committing to the process and BEing with the feels and occurrences as they unfold. I am here in the NOW and there is no other place to be.” (Heather Houston 3-24-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 90-92 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-5-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

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)

  • Embrace what makes me unique.
  • Let go of the things I can’t change.
  • Identify my strengths.
  • Set goals.
  • Celebrate my accomplishments.
  • Plan ahead.
  • Think positively.
  • Be kind to myself.
  • Get involved.
  • Find support.

“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.