Tag: Self-Help

My Abundant Life 3-7-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

March 7th, 2026

Outfitting a Comfort Drawer

“A little of what you fancy does you good.”

Matilda Alice Victoria Wood (known as: Marie Lloyd) (English Music Hall Singer, Comedian and Musical Theatre Actress; February 12th, 1870 ~ October 7th, 1922)

“Life requires that we prepare ourselves for the inevitable times that try our souls. This is achieved with a comfort drawer.”

My Bucket List

Peace
Air Boat Across an Alligator Infested Swamp

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-7-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I don’t exactly have a dedicated drawer for my comfort drawer items as drawer space is not to be wasted. However, I do have my comfort items stashed all over the house to get access to when I need my fix.” (Heather Houston 3-7-22)

“I have a glass blown bowl I made in my kitchen vs. a comfort drawer…call it my comfort bowl. Filled with small sweets to nibble when the urge calls. I find when I actually have a bowl of sweets out, I actually eat less of them than I do when I have a craving. I used to keep a bowl of Hershey miniatures on my desk at the university for students to enjoy when they plopped down in my office. I very often kept it filled and rarely had any. I think this is a scarcity habit from my childhood. Nevertheless, I feel my comfort bowl fills my need for self-care of my spirit.” (Heather Houston 3-7-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 74-75 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-6-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life3 Comments

March 6th, 2026

Creating a Toy Box

“‘I pray you…your play needs no excuse. Never excuse.”

William Shakespeare (English Playwright, Poet and Actor; April 1564 ~ April 23rd, 1616)

“I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t need an excuse anymore to make toys a part of my life. If I am to continue to grow as a human being and as an artist, it’s imperative for me to respect the power of play”

“Playing is hard for most women I know. Creating your own toy box symbolically suggests the importance of fun if you’re to function at full throttle.”

“Play is the exultation of the possible.”

Mark Buber (Austrian Jewish and Israeli Philosopher; February 8th, 1878 ~ June 13th, 1965)

My Bucket List

Adult Play
Attend a Rodeo

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-6-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Play is needed by adults and children alike. Some assume to play is childish. However, adults need play just as much as children. We are just older and often society has shamed us into not playing. This is why you see so many adults in sports leagues, practicing hobbies and getting silly. Play is normal, so carry on!” (Heather Houston 3-6-22)

“Play has become my life…I live in one continuously, delicious, never-ending best date ever with my beloved!”❤️

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 73-74 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 3-4-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

March 4th, 2026

Priming the Pump for Inspiration

“The well of Providence is deep. It’s the buckets we bring to it that are small.”

Mary Gladys Webb (English Romance Novelist and Poet; March 25th, 1881 ~ October 8th, 1927)

“You need to create a reassuring ritual for yourself to access your inner reservoir–that place deep within you inhabited by imagination.”

My Bucket List

Bath Soaking Ritual
Zion National Park

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-4-26)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Soaking in an aromatherapy-infused bath in the outdoors is the ultimate luxury and path to Providence.” (Heather Houston 3-4-22)

“I find when I prepare my blog writings ahead so that in the moment I can be with my thoughts and creatively write is the best for me. The week can get away from me quickly. Today I was unwell and had probably my 3rd migraine ever and this one had the whole halo and colors to boot. I ended my day at noon, travelled home, changed into comfortable clothes and napped on the couch for several hours. I followed this up with a lazy watching of ‘The Lion In Winter’. The most important thing is I listened…listened to what my body and the Universe was screaming at me.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 71-72 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 3-3-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

March 3rd, 2026

Setting Aside a Personal Sabbath

“Anybody can observe the Sabbath but making it holy surely takes the rest of the week.”

Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker (American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet, and Social Activist; February 9th, 1944 ~ )

“Some keep the Sabbath going to Church, I keep it, staying at Home.”

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

“It doesn’t matter what day of the week you set aside as your own personal Sabbath, it just matters that you keep one.”

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

“This is what the Sabbath is for: reverence, rest, renewal, rejuvenation, reassuring rituals, recreation, rejoicing, revelation, remembering how much you have to be grateful for, and saying ‘thank you!'”

My Bucket List

My Church
Go on a Self-Drive Safari in Kruger National Park

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

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“My church is anytime I commune with nature…simple…sweet!” (Heather Houston 3-3-22)

“My Sabbath is for: gratitude, sexy-time, imbibing, pleasuring, devouring, relaxing, passion, creativity and most of all…LOVING my husband.” ❤️ (Heather Houston 3-3-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 70-71 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 3-1-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

March 1st, 2026

“It is the first mild day of March.

Each minute sweeter than before…

There is a blessing in the air…”

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

Restoring Serenity to Your Daily Endeavors

“God give us the grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed;

Courage to change the things that should be changed;

And the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”

Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr (American Reformed Theologian, Ethicist, Commentator on Politics and Public Affairs, and Professor at Union Theological Seminary; June 21st, 1892 ~ June 1st, 1971)

“…the time has come for us to stop associating serenity with things that cannot be changed. For we can dramatically change the quality of our lives when we consciously seek to restore serenity to our daily endeavors.”

“Sidetracked women, who scatter their energies to the four winds, never achieve serenity.”

“What we will gain from this exercise is the inner peace that comes from living fully in the present moment.”

My Bucket List

Serenity
Iceland’s Kirkjufell Mountain and waterfall at sunset.

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-1-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I am usually a six-trick pony. However, I am learning to focus on 1-task at a time to create more ease, efficiency, pleasure, and satisfaction when my mind, body and spirit is focused on one task at a time.” (Heather Houston 3-1-22)

“Happy month of my birth! I am embracing to be in less frenzy and more in flow.” (Heather Houston 3-1-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 67-68 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 2-27-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 27th, 2026

Committing to Your Spiritual Awakening

“I don’t believe; I know.”

Carl Jung (Swiss Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst; July 26th, 1875 ~ June 6th, 1961)

“If you consciously work to bring more gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty, and joy into your daily life, your world will be transformed whether you believe a Higher Power is guiding you or not. But if you commit to your spiritual awakening as the most important part of the process, something marvelous will happen. Life will not feel as fraught, as frazzled, or as fragmented as before because you’ll realize that the spiritual, the creative, and the practical can’t be separated. They each count. They each mean something. They’re all connected.”

“…ready ourselves with spiritual openness. …Spirituality is the sacred center of which all life comes, including Mondays and Tuesdays and rainy Saturday afternoons in all their mundane and glorious details.”

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

My Bucket List

Spiritual Awakening
Hike Toketee Falls in Oregon

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-27-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I am excited to discover myself newly while at the same time love the being I already am. My thoughts today are on the people of Ukraine. I also have a pang of fear wondering if my son has been deployed to bolster the Ukrainian cause. If so, I send him all my protective motherly love to keep him safe. I love you Porter!”💝 (Heather Houston 2-27-22)

“Seems full circle as we began bombing Iran and hoping my children are not deployed anywhere near the Middle East. The “Sacred Center of Life” is the BEing present within the moment. My husband made Pho and the gloriousness was not just the first bite. It was the intentional shopping, the smell of the cooking beef bones, the cooking of the aromatics, and the final boil of the broth…all leading to the first sip of soup that unfolded the sacred beautiful creation. Relish the daily routine intertwined with the beauty of living in the moment.” (Heather Houston 2-27-26)

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

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

My Abundant Life 2-26-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 26th, 2026

Real Life Begins with Reverance

“Let knowledge from more to more

But more of reverence in us dwells;

That mind and soul, according well,

May make one music as before.”

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson FRS (English Poet; August 6th, 1809 ~ October 6th, 1892)

“Reverence is that altered state of consciousness when you feel awe and wonder because you know you are in the presence of Spirit. Reverence enwraps you in perfect peace because there is no past or future, only the present moment, and you are one with Heaven and earth. There is no distinction between body and soul. Meditation can sometimes spiritually induce this special moment of Wholeness, as does creating something beautiful, whether it’s a meal, a painting, or a flower bed. Concentrating on one task at a time with care and attentiveness can invoke reverence as well.”

“…gratitude is the gateway to experiencing more reverence in our daily lives.”

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you’ that would be enough.”

Eckhart von Hochheim OP (known as: Meister Eckhart or Eckhart) (German Catholic Theologian, Philosopher and Mystic; UNKNOWN)

My Bucket List

REVERENCE
See a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-26-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“My daily gratitude gives me access to reverence. I also have begun to focus on one task at a time versus multi-tasking. In doing so, I have noticed my productivity and effectiveness has improved greatly.” (Heather Houston 2-26-22)

“BEing present is the juice! Reverence comes with being enraptured with the what so of the now. Not an intention, but to be actually in reverence of the moment you are experiencing. Whether it is running back to the car to pick up my saved shopping bags or whether I am watching a sunset…both have reverential experiences in each one. The access to the rapture of every instance or occasion is the magic of LIVING.” (Heather Houston 2-26-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 60-61 of 501.

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