Tag: Meditation

My Abundant Life 8-4-26

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August 4th, 2026

Preserving Prime Time

“There are days when any electrical appliance in the house, including the vacuum cleaner, seems to offer more entertainment possibilities than the TV set.”

Harriet Van Horne (American Columnist; May 17th, 1920 to January 15th 1998)

“I do watch TV cooking shows to get ideas for our weekly meals.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 286 to 287 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 8-3-26

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August 3rd, 2026

A Net For Catching Days

“A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days…. A schedule is a mock-up of reason and order–willed, faked, and so brought into being.”

Annie Dillard (American Author; January 28th, 1873 to August 3tf, 1954)

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

Annie Dillard (American Author; January 28th, 1873 to August 3rd, 1954)

“I live an intentional life and I look at everything I am up to as a joy and not a chore. Even the simplest task of grocery shopping is an ‘outing’ and and event for me and my husband. We get up at 5:30AM and get to the market by 6:00AM. Shoot for a perfect shop by finding all the ingredients on our shopping list for a menu we curated before shopping. We top a perfect shop off with gifting ourselves a donut at our local donut shop. Pure magic!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 284 to 286 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 8-2-26

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August 2nd, 2026

The Gentlest Lessons Teach Us The Most

“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (French Author, Mime, Actress, & Journalist; January 28, 1873 to August 3, 1954)

“If we are willing to learn our lessons gently, they patiently await us in countless ways.”

“Of course, the unexpected often catches us by surprise. But if we are open to and grateful for gentle lessons, new teachers will appear in our path. Serendipity can instruct us as much as sorrow.”

“I feel like the last 8 years in my new life has been full of never ending lessons. Life is a magical kingdom better than any experience at Disneyland.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 283 to 284 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 8-1-26

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August 1st, 2026

“Summer’s lease hat all too short a date.”

William Shakespeare (English Playwright & Poet; April 1564 to April 23rd, 1616)

The Harmonic Convergence of an Authentic Life

“But if you have nothing at all to create, then perhaps you create yourself.”

Carl Jung (Swiss Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist; July 26th, 1875 to June 6th, 1961)

“In undertaking a spiritual life, what matters is simple. …We must make certain that our path is connected with our heart… When we ask, ‘Am I following a path with heart?’ we discover that no one can define for us exactly what our path should be. Instead, we must allow the mystery and beauty of this question to resonate within our being. Then somewhere within us an answer will come and understanding will arise. If we are still and listen deeply, even for a moment, we will know if we are following a path with heart.”

Jack Kornfield (American Psychologist & Writer; July 16th, 1945)

“For me, bearing witness to my authentic self is the most joyous and fulfilling spiritual path I have ever followed. It is truly ‘a path with heart,’ It began when I acknowledged that creativity is holy.”

“It’s never too late to reclaim your individual gifts, resuscitated a dream, create an authentic life. Consider this: what if ‘original sin’ is denying instead of celebrating your originality?”

“Each of us possesses an exquisite, extraordinary gift: The opportunity to give expression to Divinity on earth through our everyday lives. When we choose to honor this priceless gift, we participate in the re-creation of the world.”

“Our own life is the instrument with which we experiment with truth.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Monk & Peace Activist; 1910 to March 13th, 2002)

“I have been reclaiming my love for self. To recognize I am a gift and deserving to add to the world and my life has been the most important exploration I have ever embarked upon.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 281 to 283 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-31-26

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July 31st, 2026

Desire, Ask, Believe, Receive

“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.”

Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) (Danish Author; April 17th, 1885 to September 7th, 1962)

“Are you a worrier? We all are to a certain extent, but some of us are more pessimistic than others, and when we worry, it’s always the worst possible thing that comes first to mind. Worrying is a great thief of time.”

“Often when we stew, we think that we’re doing something positive about the problem; at least we’re thinking about it. Instead, we’ve set off an escalating spiral that can ruin an entire day–for ourselves and those in our vicinity.”

“I learned that simply to ask a blessing upon one’s circumstances, whatever they are, is somehow to improve them, and to tap some mysterious source of energy and joy. …I came upon one of the most ancient and universal truths–that to affirm and to claim God’s help even before it is given, is to receive it.”

Marjorie Holmes (American Columnist; 1910 to March 13th, 2002)

“Lift up your worries and ask for grace to get through the rest of the day. There is an abundance of amazing grace available to all of us if we simply learn to ask for it.”

“Desire, Ask, Believe, Receive.”

Stella Terrill Mann (American Lecturer & Author; 1898 to 1990)

“I have spent most of my life worrying about things that have never happened.”

Mark Twain (Writer; November 30th, 1835 to April 21st, 1910)

“Worrying about the future robs you of the present moment.”

“I’m not going to think about this right now, I’ll think about this tomorrow, After all, tomorrow is another day.”

Scarlett O’Hara (Fictional Character; the complex, headstrong protagonist of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel Gone with the Wind)

Joyful Simplicities for July

“Declare your personal independence: choose to live authentically as a dreamer, not an ‘expector.'”

“If you worry you still are going to eventually die. If you don’t worry, you still will eventually die. So why worry?”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 277 to 278 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-30-26

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July 30th, 2026

Habits That Steal Precious Moments

“Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever.”

Horace Mann (American Educational Reformer & Politician; May 4th, 1796 to August 2nd, 1859)

“Nothing dies harder than a bad habit. Usually we know whenever we’re doing something that’s not good for us because the small voice that resides in the center of our heads can be a pretty vigilant nag.”

“Too often we’re unaware of the other ways in which we rob ourselves of precious moments that could be spent nurturing our creativity. These are unconscious habits that the Surgeon General doesn’t warn us about but that our authentic selves will. For as long as we continue to cling to bad habits that may not be life-threatening but certainly aren’t life-enhancing, we only steal from our potential.”

“I haven’t had too many vices throughout my life as a professional athlete and coach. However, I maintain those things which entice my senses as that makes me feel alive and honors my ability to sense. Delicious food, tantalizing cocktails and extraordinary sex are all must stays…Drugs Sex & Rock-n-Roll FOREVER!“

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 276 to 277 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-29-26

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July 29th, 2026

The Home as a Hobby

“Only a very exceptionally gifted mind could cope singly with all the problems which present themselves in the perfecting of a home.”

Arnold Bennett (Author; May 27th, 1867 to March 27th, 1931)

“I have not had a home I chose and had the urge to make mine. I was always battling with three other voices in the household. Now I rent so exploring this is limited. What I have done however is reduce “stuff” to essentials to live comfortably and more simply. I find this invigorating.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 275 to 276 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-28-26

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July 28th, 2026

The Plie’ of Pleasure

“What is your hobby? Every woman ought to have some pet interest in life, outside of the everyday routine which composes her regular occupations. What is yours?”

The Mother’s Magazine (January 1915)

“There us a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated though you into action and because there is only one of you in all time this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”

Martha Graham (American Dancer & Teacher; May 11th, 1894 to April 1st 1991)

“Not sure I have a hobby beyond this blog. Maybe I need to take another look to find something.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 274 to 275 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-27-26

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July 27th, 2026

Solitary Pleasures

“Alone, alone, Oh! We have been warned about solitary vices. Have solitary pleasures ever been adequately praised? Do many people know they exist?”

Jessamyn West (American Author, July 18th, 1902 to February 23rd, 1984)

“Nothing in our past lives is wasted. Nothing that once made us feel happy and fulfilled is ever lost. There’s a golden thread that runs through each of our lives. We just need to rediscover this thread before the joy of living completely unravels.”

It’s called zest. Exuberance. Joi de vivre, as the French would say, or ‘the love of life.’ The great delight that comes when the pieces of our particular puzzle finally fit. The heartfelt happiness we derive when something brings us keen pleasure. Something uniquely our own. They used to call this magical something a hobby.”

“The state of BEingness in every moment turns your life into one big party. Like we say everyday, ‘We live each day as the best party ever. We eat delicious food, we create stunning cocktails, we have the best sex ever and we love each other HARD!’ If you could have the best food, the best cocktails, the best sex and the best love ever…wouldn’t you go for it? We do and we do!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 273 to 274 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-26-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 26th, 2026

Discovering What You’d Like to Do, If You Ever Had the Time

“Develop interest in life s you see it; in people, things, literature, music–the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”

Henry Miller (American Novelist & Short Story Writer, December 26th, 1891 to June 7th, 1980)

“In the beginning spending regular time alone just to collect your thoughts will seem like indulgence enough. Spending toe alone to nurture your authentic vision, to express yourself creatively, to enjoy a personal pursuit that brings you contentment and pleasure will seem–well, impossible. Incredulous. Impractical, Inconceivable. Out of the question.”

It’s called zest. Exuberance. Joi de vivre, as the French would say, or ‘the love of life.’ The great delight that comes when the pieces of our particular puzzle finally fit. The heartfelt happiness we derive when something brings us keen pleasure. Something uniquely our own. They used to call this magical something a hobby.”

“How I think about my work is indistinguishable from the way I think about my needlepoint or cooking: here is the project I’m involved in. It is play. In this sense all my life is spent in play–sewing or needlepoint, or picking flowers or writing, or buying groceries.”

Diane Johnson (American Novelist & Essayist; April 28th, 1934)

“Once you commit to bringing more of a sense of play into your daily round with authentic personal pursuits, life will begin to take on a harmonious lilt.”

“My husband and I call this BEing in the FLOW. The Universe has a natural FLOW or rhythm that once you align with it, the possibilities unfold.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 272 to 273 of 501.

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