Tag: Mental-Health

My Abundant Life 3-15-26

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March 15th, 2026

Self-Nurturing: The Hardest Task You’ll Ever Do

“Any little bit of experimenting in self-nurturance is very frightening for most of us. There is a connection between self-nurturing and self-respect.”

Julia B. Cameron (American Teacher, Author, artist, poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, pigeon fancier, composer, and journalist; March 4th, 1948 ~ )

“Perhaps we are all Scrooges when it comes to self-nurturing because if we were kind to ourselves, our creativity might begin to blossom like a plant moving toward the light. Of course, this would mean we’d want to make some changes in our lives, and we all know how we feel about changes, even positive ones. We may be in a rut, but at least our own familiar grooves are comforting in their own insidious fashion.”

“The way to take giant leaps and strides toward authenticity, however, is through small changes.”

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”

Count Lev “Leo” Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian Writer; September 9th, 1828 ~ November 20th, 1910)

“Today, make a list of ten nice things you could do for yourself. Now select one and do it.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-15-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

Ten Nice Things To Do For Myself: (Heather Houston 3-15-22)

  1. Pedicure
  2. Manicure
  3. Color Hair
  4. Buy Conditioner
  5. Buy Leave-In Conditioner
  6. Face Mask
  7. Go See A Movie
  8. Make Myself A Cocktail (Pour an apple whiskey on the rocks) 3-15-22
  9. Listen To Fun Music
  10. Take A Nap.

Ten Nice Things To Do For Myself: (Heather Houston 3-15-26)

  1. Pedicure
  2. Manicure
  3. Buy Conditioner
  4. Purchase 2 Boxes to hold our Malaysian/India Spices and Mexican Spices
  5. Schedule therapist appointments to deal with past trauma. ✅
  6. Purchase indigenous medicines at the NICWA conference in Oklahoma.
  7. Exercise a minimum of 5 days/week.
  8. Bake 1x/week.
  9. Practice my violin.
  10. Plan to get motorcycle to the shop to get a tune-up and repair the speaker system.

It seems some things keep reoccurring as I am not following through with nurturing myself.

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 81-82 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-14-26

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March 14th, 2026

Loving Yourself into Wholeness

“I did not lose myself all at once. I rubbed out my face over the years washing away my pain, the same way carvings on stone are worn down by water.”

Amy Ruth Tan (American Author; February 19th, 1952 ~ )

“Life batters us whether we are rich or poor, public or private. The wound we suffer may be an open cut or a slow, silent hemorrhage of the soul. On the outside we may look as if we’ve got our act together, but each of us encounters those dark stormy days when we feel very small, very fragile, and very frightened, as if we might shatter into a thousand pieces and break into heartrending sobs at something as simple as ‘How are you?'”

“When this happens we have to be kind to ourselves, not beat ourselves up. Leave that to the rest of the world. Our feelings are valid, our fears very real, even though they are probably not based on reality. Always remember that the best description of fear is ‘false evidence appearing real.'”

“When these occasions occur in your life, recall that your first duty is to love yourself into Wholeness. How to do this? By pampering yourself with simple pleasures and small indulgences. By treating yourself like the baby you are right now.”

“You don’t have to do everything and be everything for everyone else all the time. If you think you can’t possibly do one more thing without screaming or crying, you.re probably right. Start by saying, ‘no, I’m sorry. I’ve got a prior commitment.'”

“For, of course, you do. Today you need to be there for yourself. Remember, we did not lose ourselves all at once. But we recover our authentic selves one kind gesture at a time.

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-14-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I’ve been blue lately. Missing my kids. Trying to understand why getting a job has been such a nightmare. I just need a break. I need to be kind to myself.” (Heather Houston 3-14-22)

“‘No, I’m sorry, I’ve got a prior commitment’ Is harder to say sometimes. However, learning to put yourself first is how we heal ourselves. This is one of the hardest lessons I have embarked on learning and yet I know it true to my own happiness.” (Heather Houston 3-14-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 80-81 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-13-26

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March 13th, 2026

Accepting Yourself as You Are Today

“Seek not outside yourself, heaven is within.”

Mary Lou Cook (Actress; December 12th, 1908 ~ August 17th, 2008)

“Today, we make peace with the past: with the bodies and faces we were born with and those that have evolved.”

“Here in this body are the sacred rivers: here are the sun and moon as well as all the pilgrimage places…I have not encountered another temple as blissful as my own body.”

Saraha, Sarahapa, Sarahapāda (known as: The First Sahajiya and one of the Mahasiddhas) (Tibetan Poet and Teacher; late 8th century)

“It will take a bit of doing, learning to love all our personal pilgrimage places. However, before genuine love can flourish, we must finally accept ourselves exactly as we are today. Not tomorrow or next week…”

“Remember, acceptance is acknowledging the reality of a situation…Most of us think of other women as beauties, never ourselves. But every woman was created by Spirit to be a genuine beauty. We learn how to reveal to the world our unique radiance only after we acknowledge it ourselves. Today, take your personal mantra: ‘I am what I am and what I am is wonderful.'”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-13-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“It is so funny, yesterday I wrote that I should add a self-love mantra to my meditations and my request was answered with today’s reading. BRILLIANT!” (Heather Houston 3-13-26)

“I stop and pause in the mirror after every shower to marvel at the gift my body is for me…my temple. I am blessed to be almost 58 years old and have more energy and vitality than 20-30s somethings at work. I look much younger than my age. I work alongside a co-worker who is also a 1968 baby and 10-days younger than me. I look like her daughter. My physical fitness and career have kept me vital and energetic. Most of all I have found epic love has shed years from my temple. My husband IS the Fountain of Youth. I have proof as my bio-impedance scale says I am getting younger each year that passes. I love myself and my temple for the first time in my life.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 80 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-12-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 12th, 2026

How Do I Look?

“How women look and how their looks change in the course of their lives, is not a frivolous question…’How do I look?’ she asks as her eyes meet the eyes in the mirror. She listens carefully for an answer, because it might prove quite illuminating.”

Kennedy Fraser (American Essayist, and Fashion Writer; 1948 ~ )

“‘How do I look?’ Is a question all of us have spent our lives asking others. But now that you are on a path towards your authenticity you have reached the point when you need to gently ask yourself this loaded question. And, once having asked, you need to listen carefully for the answer. Better yet, when you gaze into the mirror you should ask, ‘How do I feel?’ because how you feel about yourself on any particular day will influence how you look more than what you are wearing.”

“…we need to change our approach to beauty completely. Personal transformation begins with a strong inner life. We need to let Spirit show us the way…Twenty minutes of meditation a day, quiet reflection, or a restorative walk seeking your authentic self will do more for your looks than you will believe.”

“If we go down into ourselves we find that we possess exactly what we desire.”

Simone Adolphine Weil (French Philosopher, Mystic, and Political Activist; February 3rd, 1909 ~ August 24th, 1943)

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-12-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I think my meditation needs to include a mantra of self-love. I often wonder what it would be like to love yourself…love your protein sack…HHHhhhmmmmmm.” (Heather Houston 3-12-26)

“I find my inner beauty routine involves my morning meditation and devotion to my sacredness and the blessing I am. Remembering to judge nothing that occurs and remain in the world of acceptance has really started my days in better peace and tranquility. It quiets the noise so I can start the daily newly without the recording playing in the background.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 79-80 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-5-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life1 Comment

March 5th, 2026

Creating a Hope Chest

“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers–that perches in the soul…”

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (American Poet; December 10th, 1830 ~ May 15th, 1886)

“Not every one of our desires can be immediately gratified. We’ve got to learn to wait patiently for our dreams to come true, especially on the path we’ve chosen. But while we wait, we need to prepare symbolically a place for our hopes and dreams.”

“Faith is the very first thing you should pack in a hope chest.”

My Bucket List

Hope
Mammoth Cave National Park

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-5-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I remember in high school my best friend had spoken about a hope chest. I immediately thought I needed one as well. So, what did I do? Hope…wish…pray my parents would magically read my mind and get me one. Why did I want one? Because the “Jones” were saying I should have one. Apparently those to be married should have one. In retrospect, this was ridiculous. What I was really hoping was that if it magically materialized, it would mean I was worthy, enough…loved. My story was working overtime while I was in high school. Being a late bloomer really sucked…always late to the party!” (Heather Houston 3-5-22)

“I really loved the authors idea of creating a hope chest per se as a wicker basket filled with books she loved to gift to her daughter on her 16th birthday. I am long past 16, and have an ask of my own mother. Share with me more of your poetry at different times in your life so I get a glimpse of who you are as a woman, my mother, a sister, a daughter and a wife. My mom’s share of her poetry from when she was 13 years old filled me with so much joy. I felt like I was actually getting to know…HER. I love you Mom!”❤️ (Heather Houston 3-5-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 72-73 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 2nd, 2026

Meditation: Many Paths to the Present Moment

“Meditation is simply about being yourself and knowing about who that is. It is about coming to realize that you are on a path whether you like it or not, namely the path that is your life.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn (American Professor Emeritus of Medicine and the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; June 5th, 1944 ~ )

“…there are compelling physiological, psychological, and spiritual reasons why we should engage in regular meditation. It is the mortar that holds mind, body, and Spirit together.”

“…meditation is intentional concentration on one thing, which can be either secular or spiritual.”

“In this state creativity flowers, intuition leads to a deeper wisdom, the natural healing system of the body is engaged, our best physical and mental potentials manifests itself and we feel psychologically satisfied.” …Spiritual meditation, on the other hand…”will help you become aware of the presence of the divine in nature, in yourself and in other people. The love and joy that are inherent in Spirit–that are the very essence of Spirit–will begin to permeate your life.”

Dr. Joan Borysenko (Author; October 25th, 1945 ~ )

“…many different ways of meditating, depending on my inner needs: the golden mirror meditation, writing my daily dialogue pages, gazing into the flame of a candle, concentrating on a sacred word in a centering prayer, focusing on a poetic phrase to find deeper personal meaning, or setting out on a walking meditation.”

“…all-time favorite meditation is a small, moist piece of chocolate cake eaten with exquisite attention and tremendous gratitude. Any time we are fully present in the moment we are meditating.”

Dr. Joan Borysenko (Author; October 25th, 1945 ~ )

My Bucket List

Meditation
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-2-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I have a meditation practice I follow: 10-minutes in the morning and at lunch with a 5-10 minute Spiritual time-out to reflect on my day before bed. I also commune with nature daily for 30-minutes which consists of a walk or quiet sitting outdoors. Putting meditation in small chunks throughout my day reduces stress and keeps me centered.” (Heather Houston 3-2-22)

“If being present is meditation, then my life is mostly meditation. How magical is that?” (Heather Houston 3-2-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 68-70 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-28-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 28th, 2026

Creating a Sacred Space

“You must have room or a certain hour of the day or do where you do not know what was in the morning paper…a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are, and what you might be…At first you may find nothing’s happening…But if you have a sacred place and use it, take advantage of it, something will happen.”

Joseph John Campbell (American Writer; March 26th, 1904 ~ October 30th, 1987)

My Bucket List

Sacred Spaces
Explore New Zealand

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-28-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“The request is to create a sacred space. I use my whole house as a sacred space with heartfelt and gratitude inspired trinkets, babbles and pictures throughout it to remind me wherever I am, that I am thankful and loved.” (Heather Houston 2-28-22)

“After reading ‘Rediscovering Your Sacredness.’ I endeavored to create a sacred space in my home where I could concentrate all of my spiritual energies. I choose the quiet of the morning after cleaning the kitchen from the previous nights cooking to sit in the candlelight of my alter to remind myself of my sacredness and to center myself spiritually before my day unfolds. This quiet early morning solitude fills my soul. Even my dog Kiva looks forward to my intentional breathing and words speaking into the sacredness of all beings. The days I miss this devotional time, I feel the energy of the world beginning to build up within me. Similar to Buddhist teachings, I welcome in the world energy and slough it off daily and return it to the Sacred Whole.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 61-63 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-23-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 23rd, 2026

Making Your Own Imprint

“God is in the details.”

Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (German-American Architect; March 27th, 1886 ~ August 18th, 1969)

“You move into a completely empty house and start from scratch–money is not a consideration. Write down twenty specifics for your ideal home from architectural features to furnishings that are ‘must haves’ for you. …Are any of these items from your past? Where did you first encounter them? How long have you been dreaming about them? Are there any items from your childhood home?”

  • “20 Architectural Features & Furnishing Must Haves
    1. Sun porch (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    2. Soft chaise lounge in sun porch (In a furniture store; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    3. Overstuffed leather chair with brass button brad detail in a library (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    4. Library with leatherbound books and a fireplace (Read in a book and saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    5. Walk in pantry (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    6. Large hearth in living room with a large threshold and bench area to sit upon in front of the hearth. (Grandmother’s House & Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    7. Fireplace in every room (saw in an old movie; grade school age; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    8. Claw-foot bath tub (Aunt Dot’s House; 10-12 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).
    9. Gas 6 burner with griddle area stove/oven (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    10. Deep farmer’s sink in kitchen (saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    11. Marble counters in kitchen (saw on a cooking show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    12. Outdoor fireplace/fire pit (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    13. Outdoor kitchen and BBQ (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    14. Outdoor cabana with outdoor TV (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    15. Pool with jacuzzi/spa (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    16. Office shared with my partner (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    17. 3-car garage (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    18. Fenced yard so Kiva can play and go indoors to outdoors at will (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    19. 2 Walk in closets with dressing areas (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    20. Craft/Sewing room (I saw on a home improvement show; adult; I wanted this after I saw it; not from my childhood home).
    21. Window seats in dining room or family room (Grandmother’s House; 3-4 years old; I have always wanted this; not from my childhood home).” (Heater Houston 2-23-22)

“Next, imagine that your closet and drawers are empty. You need to fill them. What are the first ten things you would either hang up or put away? You may either keep favorites from your present wardrobe or buy entirely new items. Which comes first for you, comofrt or career?”

  • “10 Wardrobe Item Must Haves (Comfort is primary over career)
    1. 20 pair of soft cotton thongs
    2. 20 pairs soft cotton ankle socks
    3. Flannel pajama pants with soft long sleeve t-shirt
    4. Soft night sleep shirts
    5. Sweat pants and sweat shirts
    6. Jeans
    7. T-shirts
    8. Sneakers
    9. Sweaters
    10. Sexy Tops” (Heather Houston 2-23-22)

“Your kitchen cabinets are bare. You need to buy new china, flatware, glasses, and linens for everyday use and for entertaining. Where do you begin? What pattern do you want to see every day? What shape glass do you enjoy drinking from?”

  • “I would have a formal china pattern with a modern design and simple elegant flatware and a daily set that is less formal. However, I would use both interchangeably without concern for special occasions.
  • The formal china would be hydrangea floral pattern or a modern graphic design.
  • I prefer round edge glassware. Something with a heavier base feel. Stemware and martini glassware needs to be durable and yet as thin as possible.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“The soap in the bathroom, the flowers in the garden, the book on the bedside table are all strong symbols of life in progress. …You look at theses details and a world unfolds.”

Charlotte Moss (American Interior Designer and Author; Unknown ~)

“By paying attention to the details–your authentic gestures–you give expression to the most personal of all the arts: making your own imprint on life.”

My Bucket List

Button Tufted Leather Chair
The Netherlands

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“It is super fun to play a mental game of “what if”. I have eclectic taste which is combined with my love of texture and comfort. All pieces and rooms in my dream house would be useable versus art pieces. I love a house filled with love and lived in. A home needs to have character.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

“I reread my 2022 entries above for if I was to fill a new home with those items important to me, what I would fill my wardrobe with and the glassware and eating ware that I prefer. Fascinating that I put so much energy into this back then. Likely, because I had never even considered any of it as finances have always been strained, so survival was my only concern. Now I realize I am much more practical with what I want vs. need. I feel great in my on skin, so I am not on a quest to find things to flourish myself as I am enough without special clothes or furnishings. Truly blessed to be at this point in my life living abundantly vs. scarcity.” (Heather Houston 2-23-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 56-57 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-21-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 21st, 2026

Excavating the Real You, Part I

“Maybe being oneself is always an acquired taste.”

Patricia Hampl (American Memoirist, Writer, Lecturer, and Educator; March 12th, 1946 ~ )

“We must dig patiently with our pens to excavate our real selves….And fo what are we searching? Shards of our authentic self.”

“As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.”

Joan Baez (American Singer, Songwriter, Musician, and Activist; January 9th, 1941 ~ )

“The more we learn about ourselves and our preferences, the easier it is to make these choices. And creative choice is at the heart of authenticity.”

“Choice confers freedom–the freedom to embrace the new because it speaks to your soul and you are listening. Today be willing to consider the choices you have made in the past as you trace your life. Have they been the right ones for you? Do you make choices with your heart, mind, or gut? Are you comfortable with your style of making choices, or do you wish to try a different approach? Was there something you did not choose in the past that, with hindsight, you now wished you had?”

“Perhaps a long-buried dream still calls to you from a road you chose not to take. If this is true, then stop telling yourself that it’s too late.”

“Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations.”

Faith Baldwin (American Author; October 1st, 1893 ~ March 18th, 1978)

“The delay of our dreams does not mean that they have been denied. Perhaps now you have the wisdom to make alterations in your dream so that it can come true. Perhaps now you have the wisdom to choose differently.”

My Bucket List

WISDOM
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-21-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Certainly not all of my choices have been right. But, what is right? I am here now in a life that I am happy, joyful, and living authentically. Maybe all the choices needed to happen to get me here. If so, I would change nothing and do it all over again. I have always made choices using all three: mind, gut, heart. I am very intuitive and rely on this to guide me. I like the style I make choices, but sometimes wish I had even more of a carefree attitude. I think being neglected as a child and put in situations where my basic needs were not being met, led me to look for certainty in my life. I realize certainty is an unreality, but it was the only touchstone I had in my tool kit. I think there are always shoulda…coulda…wouldas for everyone in there past. Sometimes I think the access to a path is not available due to us not being ready yet.” (Heather Houston 2-21-22)

“I definitely make choices based on my heart, mind and gut. As an empath, I can’t avoid what I feel, sense and see. I don’t want my energies to be wound up in lamenting the past as my present is so fulfilling. My path was what is was to get me her and I am so thankful. I am the happiest I have ever been and am living in a loving relationship with my beloved husband and best friend.” (Heather Houston 2-21-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 54-55 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-12-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 12th, 2026

Once Upon A Time You Trusted Yourself

“Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet, Playwright, Novelist, Scientist, Statesman, Theatre Director, and Critic; August 28th, 1749 ~ March 22nd, 1832)

“Today, try to find a photograph of yourself when you were about ten…Send love to that young girl. Try to travel back in time and imagination. See yourself at ten: at home, at school, and at play.”

“…age ten was probably the last time you trusted your instincts. You didn’t listen to the opinions of your mother, your sister, or your friends because you had your own.”

“Try to contact the girl you once were. She’s all grown up now. She’s your authentic delf and she’s waiting to remind you how beautiful, accomplished, and extraordinary you really are.”

“The task today was to find a picture of myself when I was ten. The idea is that at ten we still trusted our instincts and didn’t let the opinions of others rule us. Regrettably, my story began at three or four-years old, so I had many stories by the time I hit ten. I included a picture when I was 4, which is likely the time when I last trusted myself. The other picture are closer to ten, but I was already manipulating myself by what I imagined others thought of me.“ (Heather Houston 2-12-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
1976 Christmas-Me, Santa & my brother

“See yourself at ten: at home, at school, and at play.” (Heather Houston 2-12-22)

  • “Where did you live?”
    • 1324 Sunny Drive, Eugene, OR. 97404
  • “Can you see your house or apartment, and the street?”
    • Yes. Hedges lined the yard perimeter. An ancient golden locus tree in the front yard. The 2-Story garage in the side yard. The fat backyard had 2 filbert trees and a huge garden. A rock garden was nearest the house in the center of the backyard. Raspberry bushes lined the edge of the backyard with the far backyard. The street we a dead end and our house was located halfway down the length of the drive.
  • “Walk through your rooms in your childhood home. What did your bedroom look like?”
    • My room had oak floors. My bed was a separated bunk bed with drawers along the sides. I had a white bedspread with bright pink and orange butterflies printed on it. I had a small round wooden table, made by my father, with 4 red plastic chairs in the corner of the room. I had a family maple dresser with an oval mirror. Upon my bookshelf sat my phonograph.
  • “Who were your friends?”
    • Hannah Huntley
    • Lisa Humphreys
    • Clark Schaffer
    • Kyle Grey
    • Theresa Moso
    • Shari Shaffer
  • “Did you have a best pal?”
    • Theresa Moso
  • “Who was she?”
    • Classmate
  • “How did you play?”
    • Tag, dodgeball, hot lava
  • “What was your favorite color in the Crayola pack?”
    • Midnight Blue
  • “Did you play a musical instrument?”
    • Violin
  • “Who was your favorite doll?”
    • Stuffed Dumbo
    • Raggedy Ann & Andy
  • “Can you recall the scent of Play-Doh?”
    • Ohhhhh yes and silly putty.
  • “What were your favorite foods?”
    • Chicken Fried Steak
  • “What subject did you like best in fifth grade?”
    • Writing

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 46-47 of 501.

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