Tag: Irish Novelist

My Abundant Life 5-24-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

May 24th, 2026

The Fullness of Nothing

“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.”

Nikos Kazantzakis (Greek writer& Journalist; February 18th, 1883 to October 27th, 1957)

“In Japanese culture, the negative spaces in art, philosophy, religion, design, business, and life are not thought of as empty but rather as ‘full of nothing.'”

The empty spaces, or the “Shroud of the unknown surrounding certain events,: is referred to in Japanese as ma, a word for which there is no English translation.

Richard Tanner Pascale (Academic; June 14th, 1938 to May 24th, 2024)

“…the empty space is pregnant with possibility, shrouded by the unknown until the time is right for it to be reveled.”

“Nothing is more real than nothing.”

Samuel Beckett (Irish Novelist & Playwright; April 13th, 1903 to December 22nd, 1989)

“We need either to become more comfortable with waiting to fill what’s empty with what’s authentic or become just willing to accept the exquisite fullness of nothing. Life’s landscape becomes a lot more interesting when we realize there’s an entire dimension we’ve never considered before simply because we couldn’t see it.”

“I don’t feel compelled to collect things for the sake of collecting. Instead I prefer to surround myself with items that have significance to me and my life journey.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 173 to 174 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 5-17-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

May 17th, 2026

The Ruskin Spring Ritual of Restoration

“In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fir for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.”

John Ruskin (English Polymath & Writer; February 8th 1819 to January 20th, 1900)

“To be buried in lava and not turn a hair, it is then a man shows what stuff he is made of.”

Samuel Beckett (Irish Novelist & Playwright; April 13th, 1906 to December 22nd, 1989)

“When in doubt throw it away. You don’t need it. You don’t want it. You forgot you even had it, so don’t keep it. No, it will not come in handy some day. Furthermore, you do not, under any circumstances, want the contents of your junk drawers ending up being thrown into ‘junk boxes’.”

“So uncanny how we are actually in the throws of sorting boxes from storage to choose what to keep and what to discard or donate. It is a lot of work AND invigorating to live more simply.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 163 to 165 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-10-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

April 10th, 2026

Trompe I’oeil: Thrift-Shop Pleasures

“Beauty is altogether in the eyes of the beholder.”

Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (Irish Novelist; April 27th, 1855 to January 24th, 1897)

“I love thrift stores as I always seem to find a gem for my wardrobe at a fraction of the price.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 113-114 of 501.

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