Tag: Mindfulness

My Abundant Life 5-20-26

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May 20th, 2026

The Art of Puttering

“Puttering is really a time to be alone, to dream and to get in touch with yourself…To putter is to discover.”

Alexandria Stoddard (Author & Interior Designer; November 8th, 1941)

“…puttering is a solitary pursuit, to be appreciated with an unhurried pace for maximum metaphysical benefits. The essence of puttering is rearranging…”

“Part of the pleasure of puttering is free association. Think of puttering as a domestic Rorschach test. Instead of interpreting inkblots, we muse on the hidden meaning of personal possessions until we flow on to dreams, choices, risks, pleasures, authentic preferences.”

“‘Creative puttering’ is actually one of my favorite things to do at home. It helps us to become aware of what’s still important to us, what continues to have meaning. This quiet, private act can…bring the different aspects of your life into sharp focus—and identify your needs.”

Alexandria Stoddard (Author & Interior Designer; November 8th, 1941)

“I pretty much putter every season change.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 167 to 169 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 5-1-26

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May 1st, 2026

“Let all they joy be as the month of May.”

Frances Quarles (English Poet; May 8th, 1592 to September 9th, 1644)

“This month we turn our attention homeward, as we continue to weave simplicity into our daily round while reacquainting ourselves with the transformative power of the third Simple Abundance principle—Order.”

Everyday Epiphanies

“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.”

Anne de Lenclos (French Writer; November 10th, 1620 to October 17th, 1705)

“We should write an elegy for every day that has slipped through our lives unnoticed and unappreciated. Better still, we should write a song of thanksgiving for all the days that remain.”

“…we’re startled into consciousness by an unforeseen threat to something that we hold dear and have been taking for granted. I call these luminous moments ‘everyday epiphanies,’ because they jar us into a profound awareness of how much we have, and how much we have escaped, and how much there is to be grateful for.”

“Everyday epiphanies encourage us to cherish everything. Today a new sun has risen. Everything lives. Everything can speak to your soul passionately if you will be still enough to listen.”

“You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life, so that if it were over tomorrow, you’d be content.”

Jane Seymour (British Actress; February 15th, 1951)

“Being present for every breath IS the juice of life. Using up all the day and living each day like it is the best party ever is the key! Neil and I have a party everyday…intimate connection, marvelous cocktail, scrumptious dinner and holding hands watching our favorite cooking shows together IS our life juice.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 141 to 142 of 501.

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

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 4-27-26

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April 27th, 2026

Reach Out and Touch Someone

“O world invisible, we view thee,

O world intangible, we touch thee,

O world unknowable, we know thee.”

Francis Thompson (English Poet; December 16th, 1859 to November 13th, 1907)

“Touch is the first physical sense we experience as strange hands pull us from the dark realm of the soul into the cold, harsh light of earth. After the security and warmth of the womb, frigid air assaults our fragile, naked bodies until we find comfort in our mother’s arms with the sense of touch guiding our first few conscious moments. For many people touch is also the last sense we experience as we depart the world—the squeeze of a loved one’s hand. Sight, smell hearing, and taste have gone before us.”

“The first sense to ignite, touch is often the last to burn out, long after our eyes betray us, our hands remain faithful to the world.”

Frederich Sachs

“We describe our mood swings as ‘feelings’ and when something strikes a deep, sentimental chord in us we say we were ‘touched.’ When we feel alienated, fragmented, and adrift, we often refer to this estrangement as ‘losing touch with reality.'”

“…we all need to be hugged and touched, not just to thrive but to survive.”

“‘sensuist’ (someone who delights in sensory experiences, as opposed to a ‘sensualist,’ someone who is excessively concerned with physical gratification).”

“She seemed a thing that could not feel/The touch of earthly years.”

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

“Let us become women who embrace our portion of earthly years with a passion by delighting in our sense of touch.”

“I am very aware how much touch is a huge part of my aliveness. I need it to remain balanced centered and well. For huge portions of my life I went without touch. Being a mother afforded me more regular dosing, However, choosing my lover and life partner was the pivot into a chronic blissful state that has been unmatched…ever. When a child, I was disconnected from touch as it was not a regular occurrence by my mother. Often perfunctory in nature and performative. My thought is that she experienced less touch as a child too. My dad was much more affectionate, but also metered. I think he knew instinctively he needed touch to remain balanced. Sometimes he would just reach out to hold my hand and at the time, I needed that too. This brings tears to my eyes as I write this…’I miss you dad.'”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 134 to 135 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 4-13-26

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April 13th, 2026

The Only Weight-Loss Aid You’ll Ever Need

“Self-love is the only weight-loss aid that really works in the long run.”

Genevieve Marie Craig (Jenny Craig) (American Businesswoman; August 7th, 1932)

“…food is not our enemy. If we’re alive, we’re supposed to love to eat. Food is the source of vital fuel our bodies convert to energy in order to survive.”

“Don’t fight your hunger. Instead, respect it and respond to it with nutritious food that appeals to all your senses–not just taste but sight and smell as well.”

“..the more we starve ourselves, the more weight we eventually gain, and then we end up hating ourselves.”

“The only way to stop this heartbreaking cycle of self-loathing is to stop dieting and use our common sense. Eat when you’re hungry, drink when you’re thristy, sleep when you’re tired, get in harmony with your body through regular exercise, and nourish your soul through prayer and meditation.”

“Be really whole, and all things will come to you.”

Lao-Tzu (Chinese Philosopher; 571 B.C.)

“Taoism–the Eastern philosophy of Lao-Tzu–teaches that the only way to be made Whole is to yield. Yield to the fact that your body answers to a Wisdom that’s higher than wanting to look like the waif on the cover of Vogue.”

“Every woman has an ideal weight that’s ideal for her opposed to an ideal weight. This is the weight at which you feel the most comfortable, have the mot energy, can stay well and feel good about how you look. We can achieve that weight whenwe begin to trust our bodies. Forget size and abandon the scale. Instead, of weighing yourself, let your favorite clothes tell you how you are doing. Above all, trust the guidance of your authentic self. Go within and visualize her. See what weoght she carries. Ask her to help you achieve your perfect weight through the power of Love. Today, be willing to believe that self-love is the only weight-loss aid you’ll ever truly need, because it’s the only one that works.”

“All of this advice is true. For the last 30+ years I have been counseling and working alongside all types of people desiring to get to their full potential. Whether that be weight, athletics, mental toughness, etc. they all had to let go or yield to what they thought they knew and listen to their bodies.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 117 to 118 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-3-26

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April 3rd, 2026

Secret Lives: Gleaning Tips from Our Imaginary Selves

“Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up.”

Pearl S. Buck (American Writer and Novelist; June 26th, 1892 ~ March 6th, 1973)

“Each of us leads many lives vicariously and often simultaneously. By acknowledging our secret lives and tapping into the wisdom of our imaginary alter egos, we can glean tips to help us develop our own personal sense of style.”

“Now write down who you’d be if not you. Now write down your secret selves.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 4-3-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
  • Singer (Heather Houston 4-3-22)
  • Writer (Heather Houston 4-3-22)
  • Musician (Heather Houston 4-3-22)
  • Own a pair of snappy cowboy boots (Heather Houston 4-3-26)
  • Build a daily medicine bag and learn native medicinal healing (Heather Houston 4-3-26)
  • Get or have made a cool signature hat (Heather Houston 4-3-26)
  • Make some moccasins (Heather Houston 4-3-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 105-106 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-2-26

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April 2nd, 2026

Verve: The Secret of Personal Style

“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”

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

“Verve is the special ability or talent to pull something off with panache, from a fabulous outfit to an exquisite couplet of poetry. Verve comes into our lives when we dinally trust our instincts. When we take riskes and they payy off. Verve is passion. It’s also the secret of personal style. Verve is focused creative energy, a sense of vitality or zest.”

“And how do we learn to develop a finey honed sense of verve? By paying attention to the details. By accepting each day’s attempt to teach us more about our authenticity. By being constantly on the lookout for the ecstatic experience: what excited us or moves us to tears, what makes the blood rush to our head, our hearts skip a beat, our knees shaky, and our souls sigh.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 4-2-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I need to be bold in my exploration of my style to find the balance between panache and simplicity.” (Heather Houston 4-2-22)

“I am finding my style lives in fusion. I love eating in fusion, so why not in my style too. I need to undress this to find out what fusion style means to me authentically.” (Heather Houston 4-2-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 104-105 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 4-1-26

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April 1st, 2026

“April, the Angel of the Months.”

Vita Mary Sackerville-West, Lady Nicolson, CH (Known as: Vita Sackville-West) (English Author and Garden Designer; March 9th, 1892 ~ June 2nd, 1962)

Playing Dress-Up: Empowering Your Authentic Self with Fun

“Learn the craft of knowing how to open your heart and to turn on your creativity. There’s a light inside of you.”

Judith Ann Jamison (American Dancer and choreographer; May 10th, 1943 ~ )

“What the heck! The delights of self-discovery are always available.”

Gail Sheely (American Author, Journalist, and Lecturer; November 27th, 1936 ~August 24th, 2020)

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 4-1-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Spring has arrived, time to go through my closet and look at my clothes newly.” (Heather Houston 4-1-22)

“Today wearing my NICWA Conference shirt in native community was powerful. I saw so many relatives wearing items I have rotated in and out of my closet over time. Reassuring that my authentic self speaks to me in this way. Soaking up on as much as I can on the last day of the conference.” (Heather Houston 4-1-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 103-104 of 501.

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