Tag: Life

My Musical Life 4-12-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

April 12th, 2026

#95 Piece of My Heart (Big Brother & The Holding Company and Janis Joplin) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on🪄
Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah
And didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?
Honey, you know I did
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough
But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough🪄
I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it if it makes you feel good
Oh, yes indeed🪄
You’re out on the streets looking good
And baby, deep down in your heart, I guess you know that it ain’t right
Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night
Babe, and I cry all the time
But each time I tell myself that I, well I can’t stand the pain
But when you hold me in your arms, I’ll sing it once again🪄
I said come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good🪄
I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c’mon now (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it, whoa🪄
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

My Musical Life 4-7-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

April 7th, 2026

#90 The Mighty Quinn (Manfred Mann) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn🪄
Everybody’s building ships and boats
Some are building monuments
Others jotting down notes
Everybody’s in despair
Every girl and boy
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody’s gonna jump for joy🪄
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn🪄
I like to go just like the west, I like my sugar sweet
But jumping queues and making haste
Just ain’t my cup of meat
Everyone’s beneath the trees feeding pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
All the pigeons gonna run to him🪄
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn🪄
Let me do what I wanna do, I can’t decide at all
Just tell me where to put it
And I’ll tell you who to call
Nobody can get no sleep, there’s someone on everyone’s toes
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody’s gonna want to doze🪄
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn

My Musical Life 4-6-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

April 6th, 2026

#89 Say It Loud, I’m Black & I’m Proud (James Brown) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Uh, with your bad self
Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud)🪄
Looky here
Some people say we got a lot of malice
Some say it’s a lotta nerve
But I say we won’t quit moving
Until we get what we deserve
We’ve been ‘buked and we’ve been scorned
We’ve been treated bad, talked about
As sure as you’re born
But just as sure as it take two eyes to make a pair, huh
Brother, we can’t quit until we get our share🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
One more time, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)🪄
I’ve worked on jobs with my feet and my hands
But all the work I did was for the other man
And now we demands a chance
To do things for ourselves
We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall
And working for someone else🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)🪄
Ow!
Ooh-wee, you’re killing me
Alright, uh, you’re out of sight
Alright, so tough, you’re tough enough
Ooh-wee, uh, you’re killing me, ow🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud)🪄
Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves
We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall
And working for someone else
Look here, there’s one thing more I got to say right here
Now, we’re people, we like the birds and the bees
And we’d rather die on our feet than keep living on our knees🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Ow!🪄
Uh, alright now
Lordy
You know we can do the boogaloo
Now we can say we do the Funky Broadway
Now we do
Ha, sometimes we dance, we sing, and we talk
You know I do like, I do the Camel Walk
Alright now, ha, alright
Alright now, ha🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Let me hear ya, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)🪄
Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves
We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall
And working for someone else, huh
You know, we are people, too
We like the birds and the bees
But we’d rather die on our feet
Than keep living on our knees🪄
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Let me hear ya, ha
Say it loud, h (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Ow!🪄
ooh-wee, you’re killing me
Alright, uh, outta sight, alright, you’re outta sight
Ooh-wee, oh Lord
Ooh-wee, you’re killing me
Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, OW🪄
Say it loud, huh (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
God, I feel it, say it loud, uh (I’m Black and I’m proud)
Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)

My Musical Life 3-26-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

March 26th, 2026

#78 Woman, Woman (Gary Puckett and The Union Gap) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Woman
Woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?
On your mind🪄
Something’s wrong between us
That your laughter cannot hide
And you’re afraid to let your eyes meet mine🪄
And lately when I love you
I know you’re not satisfied🪄
Woman
Woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?
On your mind🪄
I’ve seen the way men look at you
When they think I don’t see
And it hurts to have them think that you’re that kind🪄
But it’s knowing that you’re looking back
That’s really killing me🪄
Woman
Woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?
On your mind🪄
A woman wears a certain look
When she is on the move
And a man can always tell what’s on her mind🪄
I hate to have to say it
But that look’s all over you🪄
Woman
Woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?🪄
Oh, woman
Woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?🪄
Oh, woman
Oh, ho, woman
Have you got cheating on your mind?🪄
Oh

My Musical Life 3-25-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

March 25th, 2026

#77 Revolution (The Beatles) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
I take two, okay🪄
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all wanna change the world🪄
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out, in🪄
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We all doing what we can🪄
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you have to wait🪄
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
You say you’ll change the constitution
Well, you know
We’d all love to change your head (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
You tell me it’s the institution
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
If you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow🪄
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
All, all, all, all (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All, all, all, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)🪄
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)

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 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 3-21-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 21st, 2026

What Is Self-Confidence?

“My after forty face felt far more comfortable than anything I lived with previously. Self-confidence was a powerful beauty-potion. Failure and grief as well as success and love had served me well. Finally, I was tapping into that most hard-won of youth dews: wisdom.”

Nancy A. Collins (American Horror Fiction Writer; September 10th, 1959)

“Many women confuse self-esteem with self-confidence. For me, self-esteem is how we really feel about ourselves in the secret sanctuary of our soul. Do we love, accept, and approve of ourselves unconditionally? Do we believe that we are worthy of the love of others and the best that life has to offer? The quality of our self-esteem is very deeply connected to the relationship with our first and most important critics, our parents. If they unconditionally loved, accepted, and approved of us, then we probably do, too.”

“But self-confidence is a special elixir that Spirit has prepared to help each of us face and surmount the challenges of life. It’s an aromatic blending of invigorating essences: attitude, experience, knowledge, wisdom, optimism, and faith.If we were fortunate enough to grow up in loving, supportive homes and our self-esteem is strong, we learned our own homeopathic formula early. If we did not, then we need to learn how to mix our own custom blend. What’s important to realize is that self-confidence is available to all of us.”

“An optimistic attitude is essential to self-confidence. So is learning from our mistakes and recognizing that everything in life can be used as a lesson once we are willing to be taught.”

“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Mary Kay Ash (American Businesswoman and Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.; May 12th, 1918 ~ November 22nd, 2001)

“Today, tell yourself that you can do anything you want to do. Because you can. Like an expensive perfume, only a smidgen of self-confidence is needed to embrace a woman’s authentic aura.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-21-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“It is crazy to read this as I know my upbringing led to my low self-esteem…UGH!. However, I have an intention to build my self-confidence, which is in my control. The most important point I gathered from today’s reading was being willing to be taught from the lessons of life. I need to be ready to drop my story and put myself forth newly. This is scary territory to navigate, and I am willing to try.” (Heather Houston 3-21-22)

“As I chosen to embark on a healing journey with Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy to address my PTSD trauma, I realize I have not been wrong all these years wondering if it was me or them. Apparently, it was not me and I was the victim. As a survivor of sexual assault, I commit to this journey to face my fears, banish my shame and come out the other side reborn, newly with love in my heart and love in my life. Honestly, I am a bit scared and anxious and I think that is normal and healthy. Facing challenges in a new way so they lose their power over me is a new idea and it it is worth exploring so I can finally live free.” (Heather Houston 3-21-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 87-88 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-19-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 19th, 2026

Repose of the Soul

“Repose is a quality too many undervalue. …In the clamor one is irresistibly drawn to the woman who sits gracefully relaxed, who keeps her hands still, talks in a low voice and listens with responsive eyes and smiles. She creates a spell around her, charming to the ear, the eye and the mind.”

Good Housekeeping (November 1947)

“We have all met her, that special woman who draws you into her orb with a radiant smile. Her eyes light up as you tell her how you’ve been. She attracts men, women, children, and animals, for her complete attention is soothing and hypnotic. When you walk away from her you feel as if you have been bathed in a beautiful warm light.”

“You have. It’s called Love, and this ancient beauty secret is available to all of us. When we are genuinely interested in others, a graciousness comes over us that is compelling.

“She did not talk to people as if they were strange hard shells she had to crack open to get inside. She talked as if she were already in the shell. In their very shell.”

Marita Bonner (known as: Marieta Bonner) (American Writer, Essayist, and Playwright; June 16th, 1899 ~ December 6th, 1971)

“Would that each of us were such a woman. Would that each of us could become one. We can. …by taking the time to step outside our own sphere to embrace others, we open ourselves up to the power of Spirit. We are suddenly lit up from inside, and this illumination can transform our looks more effectively than any fancy salon beauty makeover.”

Today, as as if you are a woman with repose of the soul. Greet everyone you meet with a warm smile. …don’t rush your encounters. Speak softly. Listen attentively. Act as if every conversation you have is the most important thing on your mind today. Look…your partner in the eyes when they talk to you. …caress the dog. Lavish love on every living being you meet. See how different you feel at the end of the day.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-19-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I see parts of me in this charismatic space from time to time. I am already very warm and approachable, which lends itself to this space with others. I think I miss it sometimes as I am oblivious. I need to be more intentional about how I engage with others.” (Heather Houston 3-19-22)

“Repose of the soul is what my husband reminds me of everyday. He says I am a sexy hot fun chic and completely irresistible when I don’t hide. I have spent most of my life hiding behind not being lovable or worthy. No longer. UNLEASH THE SNOW LEOPARD!” (Heather Houston 3-19-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 85-86 of 501.

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

My Musical Life 3-18-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

March 18th, 2026

#68 The Fool On The Hill (Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Day after day alone on a hill
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him they can see that he’s just a fool
And he never gives an answer but the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down and the eyes in his head
See the world… spinning round…
Well on the way his head in a cloud
The man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever hears him or the sounds he appears to make
And he never seems to notice but the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down and the eyes in his head
See the world… spinning round…
But nobody seems to like him
They can tell what he wants to do
And he never shows his feelings but the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down and the eyes in his head
See the world… spinning round…