Tag: Matthew Arnold

My Abundant Life 2-19-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 19th, 2026

Rendezvous with the Authentic Archaeologist

“We cannot kindle when we will

The fire that in the heart resides

The spirit bloweth and is still

In mystery our soul abides.”

Matthew Arnold (English Poet and Cultural Critic; December 24th, 1822 ~ April 15th, 1888)

“Like the inner explorer who seekd adventure and the unknown, the authentic archaeologist knows how to unearth remnants of memory buried deeply in the fertile doil of the subconscious mind…The reason we want to awaken the archaeologist is to excavate the real you.”

“How we remember, and what we remember, and why we remember form the most personal map of our individuality.”

Christina Baldwin (Author; April 16th, 1946 ~ )

“Whether you realize it or not, you have lived many lives, and each one has left an indelible mark on your soul. I’m not referring to reincarnation. I’m referring to the episodic way in which our lives evovle: childhood, adolescence, college years or early career, marriages, motherhood…widowhood and onward. At each stage in our lives, we have both laughter and tears. But more important for our interests, we develop personal preferences. Each life experience leaves a layer of memory like a deposit of sdiment: things we’ve loved and moments of contentment we’ve cherished that when recalled, reveal glimmers of our true selves.”

My Bucket List

Unearthing the PAST
The Taj Mahal, India

Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-19-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“My past is often remembered in struggles and challenges vs. joy. I think the neglect I experienced at a young age scarred me and filtered how I saw the world. It makes me sad to realize this about myself.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)

“I no longer look to the past hoping it holds reasons to the ‘Why’. Instead, I remember the past as something that no longer exists or defines me. The ‘NOW’ is the only thing that is real. In creating my beingness in the NOW, I soak up all the available joy in my life in each moment.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 52-53 of 501.

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