Tag: Self-Help

My Abundant Life 2-10-26

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February 10th, 2026

Creating An Authentic Lifestyle For Yourself And Those You Love

“It’s a funniy thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”

William Somerset Maugham CH (English Playwright, Novelist, and Short-Story Writer; January 25th, 1874 ~ December 16th, 1965)

“It’s far easier to live an elegant, beautiful life when you’re not on a budget. When cash is readily available, you don’t have to learn the lessons that delayed gratification teaches us. But having money does not guarantee that we live authentically. Nor does being surrounded by beautiful things guarantee a lifetime of happiness.”

“When you learn what you can live without, you are able to ask life for the very best because you possess the gift of discernment. You develop patience that enables you to wait gracefully and gratefully until the best arrives because you know it will. You are able to create an authentic life for yourself and those you love because you are able to make conscious choices.”

“Long afterwards, she was to remember that moment when her life changed its direction…It was not predestined; she had choice. Or it seemed she had. To accept or refuse. To take one turning down the crossroads to the future or another.”

Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Ward-Thomas, née Stephens (known as: Evelyn Anthony) (British Writer; July 3rd, 1926 ~ September 25th, 2018)

“Turning away from the world and toward your own happiness is the path of authenticity.”

My Bucket List

Hold An Eagle
Tigers Nest Monastery, Bhutan

“Today, my soldier-athlete in my sprinting group learned the lesson of proper warm-up and flexibility. She experienced a bit of a calf strain due to not being fit enough to handle 30m sprint drills…very basic. It was an opportunity to help her learn how to warm-up to be preventative and to approach her drills from a focus on form vs. speed. Great learning day!” (Heather Houston 2-10-22)

“I have spent a lifetime waiting and discerning what to add to my life. My fiscally challenged upbringing was a gift and taught me what I could live without and if I needed something how to budget and be patient. Learning early what I could live without made it possible for me to be living the life I love presently. 8 years ago I asked the Universe for the very best life and “TADA” I am living it.” (Heather Houston 2-10-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 44-45 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-9-26

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February 9th, 2026

A Fresh Canvas Every Twenty-Four Hours

“Another real thing! I am not dead yet! I can still call forth a piece of soul and set it down in color, fixed forever.”

Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme (New Zealand Novelist, Poet and Short-Story Writer; March 9th, 1947 ~ December 27th, 2021)

“A picture that is beautiful or that works, looks ad if it was all made at one stroke. I don’t like to see the trail of a brushstroke or a drip of paint.”

Helen Frankenthaler (American Abstract Expressionist Painter; December 12th, 1928 ~ December 27th, 2011)

“Preparatory steps are necessary in all the arts. They are also necessary in life if we want to live authentically. Every twenty-four hours we are given a fresh canvas to prime, to make ready for the vision.”

“Today, don’t rush through your inner preparations as you get ready to set down a piece of your soul on life’s canvas.”

My Bucket List

Grape Picking In Bordeaux
Take dance lessons for Tango.


“HUMP DAY! I love making to this point in the week as I know the weekend is nearing and I am that much closer to be spending all my time with the love of my life…Neil!”😘 (Heather Houston 2-9-22)

“The idea of my life as a canvas to create is magical. Living in the moment allows me to have a virtual new canvas every new day. Painting my life into view is the magic of living a created life. I am thrilled that I get this concept and live into each day as if it was the best party/date ever. Remarkedly, each day unfolds exactly as that as I live an intentional life.” (Heather Houston 2-9-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 43-44 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-8-26

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February 8th, 2026

You Are An Artist

“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about…Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.”

Jalāl al-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (Persian Poet, Hanafi Faqih, Islamic Scholar, Maturidi Theologian, and Sufi Mystic; September 30th, 1207 ~ December 17th, 1273)

“An artist is merely someone with good listening skills who accesses the creative energy of the Universe to bring forth something on the material plane that wasn’t here before.”

“So it is with creating an authentic life. With every choice, every day, you are creating a unique work of art. Something that only you can do. Something beautiful and ephemeral. The reason you were born was to leave your own indelible mark on your personal world. This is your authenticity.”

“Each time youecperience the new, you become receptive to inspiration. Each time you try something different. you let the Universe know you are listening. Trust your instincts. Believe your yearnings are blessings. Respect your creative urges. If you are willing to step out in faith and take a leap in the dark, you will discover that your choices are as authentic as you are. What is more, you will discover that your life is all it was meant to be: a joyous sonnet of thanksgiving.”

My Bucket List

Sail Around The World
Go to a Full Moon Party in Koh Phanang

“Today I was able to introduce the discus throw to my soldier-athletes. Very fun to watch them learn new movements. I also test drove a used car today…MINI Cooper. Considering the purchase if it checks out on a cylinder compression test. Exciting to think I may be purchasing my first car…EVER! Every other car I drove in the past was either given to me, bought for me to use or I was excluded from the selection and purchase. PROGRESS!!!” (Heather Houston 2-8-22)

“Life has so much beauty even in the smallest moments. I choose to suck the life out of every moment. I end each day having used the whole day up. I believe most people are wandering through their life on a script of “have to dos and bes”…instead of creating each and every moment.” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 42-43 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-7-26

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February 7th, 2026

An Artist Is Someone Who Creates

“I have made my world and it is a much better world thLiving is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how…The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”

Agnes DeMille (American Dancer and Choreographer; September 18th, 1905 ~ October 7th, 1993)

“Every day we’re given chances to embrace the new.”

“…take a risk a day—one small or bold stroke that makes you feel great once you have done it.”

Susan Jeffers (American Psychologist and Author of self-help literature; March 3rd, 1938 ~ October 27th, 2012)

“Today, take a real risk that can change your life: start thinking of yourself as an artist and your life as a work-in-progress. Works-in-progress are never perfect. But changes can be made to the rough draft during rewrites. Another color can be added to the canvas. The film can be tightened during editing. Art evolves. So does life. Art is never stagnant. Neither if life. The beautiful, authentic life you are creating for yourself and those you love is your art. It’s the highest art.”

“Since you are like no other being ever creted since the beginning of time, you are incomparable.”

Brenda Ueland (Journalist, Editor, Freelance Writer, and Teacher of writing; October 24th, 1891 ~ March 5th, 1985)

My Bucket List

Drive the Autoban In Style
Dancing at Carnival in Rio.

“Mondays are always a busy day at work, but I felt proud that I accomplished all my duties. So poopy tired when I returned home today, my partner suggested I take a nap. Late afternoon naps are simply glorious!” (Heather Houston 2-7-22)

“I believe today’s meditation is speaking to the idea of leading a created life. Style is where I struggle with this. I only recently have been in a financial circumstance where I could begin to explore this. I believe exploring how I want to show up for me is most important. Sometimes I feel practical…sometimes I feel androgenous…sometimes I feel delicate…sometimes I feel sexy…sometimes I feel powerful… I wonder what that style looks like? This is the inquiry I am on. Wish me luck!”🍀(Heather Houston 2-7-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 41-42 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-6-26

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February 6th, 2026

Remaking Your Own World

“I have made my world and it is a much better world than I ever saw outside.”

Louise Nevelson (American Sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures; September 23rd, 1899 ~ April 17th, 1988)

“The Quaker tradition teaches that this Light is within each of us. The Quakers, or members of the Religious Society of Friends, are a perfect example of individuals who manage the delicate balance of living in the world but not belonging to it. This is because they refuse to segment their lives into the Sacred and the secular. Instead, Quakers believe that all of life’s daily experiences are spiritual in nature…”

“The essence of Quaker spirituality is the certainty that everything we do has religious significance. It is not cutting ourselves off from life but entering deeply and fully into it.”

George Gorman (U.S. Representative from Illinois; April 13th, 1873 ~ January 13th, 1935)

“Simplicity is the common thread that stitches together Quaker lives, home, and dress. Their weekly worship service, or Meeting, is a silent meditation. Rhythm, reverence, and reflection are their hallmarks. These touchstones can help us as well as we attempt to remake our personal world.”

“Think of the steady, reassuring rhythm of the natural world–the ebb and flow of the tides, the recurring cycle of the four seasons, the monthly phases of the moon, and the daily progression from day into night. Rhythm needs to be the cornerstone in our personal world as well.”

“Today be willing to reflect quietly on the role that rhythm plays in your daily life. Your heart will always tell you what’s working and what’s not. Restoring rhythm to the way you conduct your affairs can bring you contentment and a sense of well-being that will nurture and sustain you when the cares of the world can’t be left behind.”

My Bucket List

Dine Elegantly Outdoors (2022)
Pyramids at Giza, Cairo Egypt

“Today was all about shushing my demons and quieting my mind. My partner is the best at getting me to be present.”💓 (Heather Houston 2-6-22)

“I have found a rhythm in my day to day. Maintaining a regular bedtime is one area which has paid off huge dividends. Focusing on getting enough rest each night has dramatically improved my health and mental capacity.” (Heather Houston 2-6-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 40-41 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-5-26

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February 5th, 2026

The World Is Too Much With US

“What I mean by living to one’s self is living in the world, as in it, not of it.”

William Hazlitt (English Essayist, Drama and Literary Critic, Painter, Social Commentator, and Philosopher; April 10th, 1778 ~ September 18th, 1830)

“The world is too much with us…Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.”

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

“…despite all the doom and gloom that constantly assaults our senses, there is a way for us to ransom our lives and reclaim our futures: it consists in truning away from the world to recognize what in life makes us truly happy…But once we obtain this inner knowledge, we will possess the ability to transform our outer world.”

“You can live a lifetime and, at the end of it, know more about other people than you know abut yourself.”

Beryl Markham (English-born Kenyan Aviator, Adventurer, Racehorse Trainer and Author; October 26th, 1902 ~ August 3rd, 1986)

“Wean yourself away from the opinions of others—however talented, creative, and celebrated they may be—as you continue to journey within. Absorb the shock of becoming aware that many of your preferences and opinions are not truly your own. BEgin, instead, to listen for the whisper of your authentic self telling you which way to go. We are always being shown the next steps of our uniquely personal journey.”

“Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced will you be able to hear the Deeper Vibration. Listen carefully. Spirit’s playing your song.”

My Bucket List

Safari In Kenya With Elephants (2022)
The Monastery – Petra, Jordan (2026)

“Today I am committed to finding way to practice self-acceptance.” (Heather Houston 2-5-22)

  • Embrace what makes me unique.
  • Let go of the things I can’t change.
  • Identify my strengths.
  • Set goals.
  • Celebrate my accomplishments.
  • Plan ahead.
  • Think positively.
  • Be kind to myself.
  • Get involved.
  • Find support.

“Flash forward and I really have evolved into really accepting and loving myself. For most my life I struggled with trying to be something I thought others wanted me to be…a hamster on a hamster wheel. Now I am free to be me and that is perfect!” (Heather Houston 2-5-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 39-40 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-4-26

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February 4th, 2026

The Authentic Self Is The Soul Made Visible

“My business is not to remake myself,

But make the absolute best of what God made.”

Robert Browning (English Poet and Playwright; May 7th, 1812 ~ December 12th, 1889)

“Making the absolute best of ourselves is not an easy task. It is a pleasurable pursuit, it is the reason we were born, but it requires patience, persistence, and perseverance.”

“…someone has to trun on the switch. Asking is the way of activating spiritual electricity. When there is Light we see remarkably well. We see with clarity. And what we can see if we look deep within is that the authentic self is the Soul made visible.”

“Do not try to remake yourself into something you’re not. Just try making the best of what God made. The sacred art and craft of nurturing our souls of those we love is Simple Abundance soulcraft. Begin today by turning on the Light.”

My Bucket List

Learn To Distill My Own Spirits (2022)
Floating in the Dead Sea (2026)

“T.G.I.F. I love Fridays! It means I get to spend several uninterrupted days with the love of my life. For me that is heaven, peace, love and bliss. Tick tock…almost time to get myself home.” (Heather Houston 2-4-22)

“I am very aware that I have access to the Flow of the universe and have turned on the light switch. I have come to understand in the past I was only haphazardly turning this on when I was competing or needed to preform. Now I see I have access whenever I want. When I do, my husband sees me as the sexy, hot fun chic. I like that. She is here and I am SHE!” (Heather Houston 2-4-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 38-39 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-3-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 3rd, 2026

Discovering Your Authentic Self

“To love oneself id the beginning of a life-long romance.”

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (Irish Poet and Playwright; October 16th, 1854 ~ November 30th, 1900)

“One of the surprises that comes when you catch glimpses of your authentic self is the discovery that she’s such a positive, upbeat woman. She’s always smiling. She’s always calm. She’s always reassuring. She exudes confidence. Who is this woman, you might ask, and does she bear any resemblance to you?”

“Yes and no. This is who you are on the inside. The real you. If you don’t act this way all the time, it’s simply because you haven’t evolved to a higher plane of existence yet.”

“…embrace the Goddess…When a woman falls in love with the magnificent possibilities within herself, the forces that would limit those possibilities hold less and less sway over her.”

Marianne Deborah Williamson (American Author, Spiritual Leader, and Political Activist; July 8th, 1952 ~ )

“When moments like these occur, we tend to think that all’s right with the world. Everything just fell into place. What we don’t realize is that all’s right with ourselves. We’re in the flow of life and loving it. We’re in place that special alignment when authenticity and reality merge into Wholeness.”

“But how do we tap into this spiritual energy source more often? How do we access the flow of life more frequently? How do we learn to live at full throttle?”

“…above all, being open to change. Welcoming it.”

“Watch. Wait. Time will unfold and fulfill its purpose. While we wait, we must not go unconscious. We must think and grow. Rejoice and dream, but kneel and pray. There is holiness in the air today; we are giving birth to goddesses. They are who we are, for they are us: friends, therapists, artists, businesswomen, teachers, healers, mothers. Start laughing, girls. We have a new calling.”

Marianne Deborah Williamson (American Author, Spiritual Leader, and Political Activist; July 8th, 1952 ~ )

My Bucket List

Drive The Whole PCH (2022)
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland (2026)

“Hot ‘n cold, that was how the day went. A whirlwind of test driving cars and getting blasted by hungry used car salesmen. I thought I was going to drive a car home tonight, but it seemed to fall apart as the salesmen began shuffling the price, warranties and lenders. I left without a deal and felt strong for not caving in. Best of all my partner was there to support me the whole time. Hard going through transformation. Funny how people have no idea what every other person is going through or what they might be dealing with. For me it was my first attempt at buying my own car ever. It will happen soon and I will have learned a ton and be more confident on the other side.”😘 (Heather Houston 2-3-22)

“I am the goddess birthed by my own commitment to being present in my own life. The sacredness of each of our journeys is reflected in our own transformation.” (Heather Houston 2-3-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 37-38 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-2-26

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February 2nd, 2026

Knowing What You Love

“Perhaps loving something is the only starting place there is for making your life your own.”

Alice Koller (American Writer and Academic; September 13, 1925 ~ )

“It should be straightforward, this knowing what we love. But it seldom is. After decades of letting other people influence us—…The only opinion that counts from now on is your own.”

“Be open to authentic aspirations.”

“Remember this is the year for asking questions. The most essential one we can ask is: what is it I truly love?”

“Trust that your authentic life will unfold naturally and with grace.”

My Bucket List

Swim With Manta Rays (2022)
Sea Turtles off the coast of Cristobal, Galapagos (2026)

“I got my resume done and applied for both positions. I reached out to my connection for a referral/recommendation. I feel accomplished.” (Heather Houston (2-2-26)

“Knowing what you love or what your style is comes with exposure and time. I didn’t grow up on a household with matching furniture, that was for those with privilege. I didn’t have sisters to chat and share my interests with. I have found that practicality wins most of the time. However, I have lately been feeling the urge to expand myself into my self expression with what I wear. I think visiting a clothing store might be in my cards in the next few weeks. I intend to begin assembling a few pieces that speak to who I am and the style I enjoy.” (Heather Houston 2-2-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 36-37 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 2-1-26 (Part 2/2)

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February 1st, 2026

Creative Excursions: The Gift of Time

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself

I loathe and invite my soul…”

Walter Whitman (American Poet, Essayist and Journalist; May 31st, 1819 ~ March 26th, 1892)

“Creative excursions are regular solo rendezvous with your authentic self designed for this purpose. In the beginning of any intimate relationship the best gift you can offer another person is the investment of quality time together. So it is with your authentic self.”

“When you embark on creative excursions, your authentic self will lovingly reveal to you the beautiful mystery that is you. This occurs spontaneously as you make the pursuit of personal growth a sacred endeavor.”

“Creative excursions require an investment of time, not money.”

“…once we realize that nurturing our imaginations and developing a relationship with our authentic selves is an investment we can no longer afford to put off.”

My Bucket List

NOLA (2022)
San Blas Islands, Panama (2026)

“Well, wouldn’t you know it, I did it again. Putting off what I should do. UGH! No more. Working on my resume now!!!” (Heather Houston 2-1-22)

“I have added a weekly creative excursion to my calendar on Fridays so I an reconnect to my authentic self and pay amends to her for not nurturing this part of her deep desire. This could be anything that will dedicate time to my authentic self…small or large…alone or with my husband. The point is to take time each week to acknowledge and feed my soul. It feels a bit selfish, and I am learning to put myself first after a lifetime of placing myself last or not at all. I am blessed my husband supports me in this general idea of filling my cup first before filling others. Part of this commitment will include rewatching or watching for the first time films throughout my lifetime. I think rewatching these films will bring up fond memories of times in the past as well as seeing them newly with my new outlook on life.” (Heather Houston 2-1-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 35-36 of 501.

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