Tag: Mental-Health

My Abundant Life 4-28-26

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April 28th, 2026

The Intuitive Sense

“Intuition is a spiritual faculty, and does not explain, but simply points the way.”

Florence Scovel Shinn (American Artist & Book Illustrator; September 24th, 1871 to October 17th, 1940)

“Intuition has been called our ‘sixth sense’ and is often an ability ascribed to women.”

…believed that the intelligence that “arises out of sex and beauty is intuition.”

D. H. Lawrence (English Novelist & Short Story Writer; September 11th, 1885 to March 2nd, 1930)

…feminine intuition was a result of our “age-long training in human relations.”

Margaret Mead (American Cultural Anthropologist and Author; December 16th, 1901 to November 15th, 1978)

“Intuition is the subliminal sense Spirit endowed us with to maneuver safely through the maze that is real life. Wild animals rely on their intuition to stay alive; we should reply on ours to thrive.”

“It is only by following your deepest instinct that you can lead a rich life and if you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct then your life will be safe, expedient and thin.”

Katharine Butler Hathaway (American Writer; 1890 to 1942)

“One such intuitive signal is the emotional trembling that accompanies creative discovery or warns us not to take an action. Another intuitive message breaks through when we suddenly grasp that to try something new might be delightful; we do so and are surprised by joy. A third intuitive nudge occurs through revelational the inner knowing that helps us arrive at the right place at the right time so that we can be swept away by the benevolent flow of synchronicity that gets us where we’re meant to be as easily as the Universe can arrange it.”

“…one in whom persuasion and belief/Had ripened into faith, and faith become/A passionate intuition.”

William Wordsworth (English Poet; April 7th 1770 to April 23rd, 1850)

“I have always had a strong intuitive sense of my experience of the world. It has served me well and I trust it. Combined with my synesthesia, I feel bolstered by my intuition in understanding and navigating my world.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 135 to 136 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-16-26

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April 16th, 2026

Walking as Meditation

“I will tell you what I learned myself. For me a long, five- or six-mile walks helps. And one must got alone and every day.”

Brenda Ueland (American Journalist and Editor; October 24th, 1891 to March 5th, 1985)

“It requires a direct dispensation from Heaven to become a walker.”

Henry David Thoreau (American Naturalist and essayist; July 12th,1817 to May 6th, 1862)

“…most days I go on walks for a ‘movement meditation’–fitness of the spirit. I try to quiet the voices in my head, take long strides, and concentrate on the slow, steady rhythm of my breath, comforted by the interior silence.”

“I love walking and try to get in a 3-5 minute walk every hour at work. Usually once around the block is enough to clear my head and breath fresh air. My favorite meditative walks are holding my husband’s hand and walking quietly together in wonder of the majesty of the beautiful planet we inhabit.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 120 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-15-26

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April 15th, 2026

Discovering the Momentum of Creative Movement

“The body is shaped, disciplined, honored, and in time, trusted.”

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

“The world as I know it is divided into two types of women–those who exercise and those who don’t.”

“Those who do exercise seem to have more energy, less stress, fewer weight problems, and generally a more positive and optimistic outlook on life. Women who are fit will tell you that regular exercise is the single most important thing they have ever done to improve their life.”

“Women who do not exercise don’t believe them and have every excuse in the world for why they can’t or won’t find out for themselves: they don’t have the time, they’re too out of shape, they’re coming down with the flu, it’s too cold or too hot, they’re too tired, they’re too depressed, maybe next week.

“Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes.”

Robert Maynard Hutchins (American Educator and Former Chancellor of the University of Chicago; January 17th, 1899 to May 17th, 1977)

“This is not good. This is not self-nurturing. This is not healthy. We know this intellectually.”

“Don’t refer to the activity as exercise or fitness any longer. If you must call it something, call it creative movement.”

“Think of creative movement as a life-enhancing, enjoyable pastime, because it is. Just pause for a moment and imagine all the ways that you could move creatively that bring you pleasure: dancing (ballet, jazz, or tap), swimming, fencing, horseback riding, racquetball. tennis, golf, riding a bike. …Start moving, a step at a time, step after step. The positive momentum will take if from there.”

“With enlightenment and self-awareness, we can reguide and realign our whole selves: our bodies, by finding new ways of moving and celebrating them and by adding good food in amounts they tell us they need; our souls, our sense of ourselves as good and worthwhile, by connecting them to the earth and to each other.”

Diana Roesch (Theater and Film Producer)

“I have always loved movement and feel more of myself when moving. I have learned to move in new ways in this chapter of my life. Specifically, my husband introduced me to rowing regularly which eases the stress on aging joints. BRILLIANT! I had coached rowing for years and in all that time, I rarely participated. Now I have an rowing ergometer in our living room. WINNING!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 119 to 120 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-14-26

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April 14th, 2026

When You Hunger and Thirst

“The body must ne nourished, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We’re spiritually starved in this culture–not underfed but undernourished.”

Carol Hornig

“When I first became aware that when I ‘swallowed’ life I was really hungry and thirsty for joy and serenity, it was a turning point for me in learning self-nurturance. Finally, I understood that I wasn’t underfed but spiritually undernourished. I realized I could go within and ask my soul–my authentic self–what I needed. I learned to stop and ask myself the questions ‘How can I care for you? What is it you truly need?'”

“As you nurture your spirit with kindness, your physical cravings will loose their grip.”

“Realize today that your hunger and thirst for a reason. Ask your authentic self to reveal your deeper needs, so that Spirit can quench and satisfy your parched and ravenous soul.”

“I love food for all the ways it flirts with me in smell, taste, texture and sight. I used to only look as food as fuel and from a lens of scarcity. I have never been an overeater, more of a grazer. I eat when I’m hungry. I often get engrossed in whatever I am up to and forget to eat until my project is done. When this happens, I assess what my body needs and take in the fuel my body is demanding…usually protein. I really have never been much of an emotional eater. I notice more my desire based on cravings which usually point out other deficiencies in my daily diet. I do my best to listen.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 118 to 119 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-12-26

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April 12th, 2026

Learning to Love and Honor Your Body

“The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor.”

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

“Which comes first, learning to love our bodies or possessing a positive body image?”

“If you can learn to like how you look, and not the way you think you look, it can set you free.”

Gloria Steinem (American Journalist and Social Activist; March 25th, 1934)

“Don’t wait for the world to celebrate you. Carve your own niche. Focus on what’s great, forget what’s not. Find joy in your own reflection. Instead of obsessing about a body that’s impossible to achieve without a personal trainer, begin to discover how you can feel better about living in the on e you now inhabit.”

“A woman’s relationship with her body is the most important relationship she’ll ever have. More important than husband, lover, children, friends, colleagues. This isn’t selfishness–it’s just fact. The body is, quite literally, our vehicle for being–for giving, for loving, for moving, for feeling–and if it doesn’t work, it’s fairly certain that nothing else in our lives will work, either.”

Diana K. Roesch (Health & Fitness Expert; December 2nd, 1963)

“Today, instead of hating your body, make peace with it. Choose to consciously love and honor the sacred garment Spirit provided for this lifetime’s journey.”

“I am so appreciative that my genetics and health active lifestyle has yielded me youth beyond my years. I have always liked my body and valued the movement it has been able to experience. I have counseled many young teens to adult women on body image for over 30+ years. On this path, the main culprit preventing women from achieving their health and wellness goals has largely been their own invisible conversation in their head about body image and self-love. For those who were able to share honestly with me how they saw themselves, I was able to help be their advocate and accountability partner in changing both behavior and their physical appearance. For those looking for a gimmick or a quick fix, they largely stayed trapped in their own story and thus their insides tended to match there outsides. It is not magic, it IS self love and grace for the garment that the Universe gifted you to wear in this life journey. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Use it or lose it.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 116 of 501.

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

My Musical Life 4-7-26

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April 7th, 2026

#91 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 3-26-26

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March 26th, 2026

#79 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 Abundant Life 3-24-26

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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

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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 3-22-26

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March 22nd, 2026

Why Self-Confidence Can’t Be Bought but Can Be Borrowed

“I was thought to be ‘stuck up.’ I wasn’t. I was just sure of myself. This is and always has been an unforgivable quality to the unsure.”

Ruth Elizabeth “Bette” Davis (American Actress; April 5th, 1908 ~ October 6th, 1989)

“It would be wonderful if we could simply waltz up to a counter and purchase a bottle of self-confidence the way we can buy ‘revitalizing’ or ‘performance’ creams for our faces. Unfortunatey this spiritual elixir, like an expensive perfume, is different on every woman because of individual chemistry.”

“I act as if I’m self-confident and the world takes me as such.”

“When you’re unsure of yourself but life requires you to be otherwise, it is comforting to remember that you can always borrow a self-confident attitude from your authentic self. …Our subconscious mind cannot distinguish between what’s real and what’s imaginary (which is why creative visualization works). If we act as if we’re confident, we become so.”

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (c, Diplomat, and Activist; October 11th, 1884 ~ November 7th, 1962)

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

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I love to borrow my self-confidence from my dominant side of my personality all of the time. BRILLIANT!” (Heather Houston 3-22-22)

“I am leaning into my self-confidence much more these days as I now live from my dominant self which is so authentic and natural for me. When I stay in the “sexy, hot, fun chic” arena, the world unfolds for me newly and powerfully.” (Heather Houston 3-22-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 88-89 of 501.

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