Tag: Spirituality

My Abundant Life 8-2-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

August 2nd, 2026

The Gentlest Lessons Teach Us The Most

“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (French Author, Mime, Actress, & Journalist; January 28, 1873 to August 3, 1954)

“If we are willing to learn our lessons gently, they patiently await us in countless ways.”

“Of course, the unexpected often catches us by surprise. But if we are open to and grateful for gentle lessons, new teachers will appear in our path. Serendipity can instruct us as much as sorrow.”

“I feel like the last 8 years in my new life has been full of never ending lessons. Life is a magical kingdom better than any experience at Disneyland.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 283 to 284 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 8-1-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

August 1st, 2026

“Summer’s lease hat all too short a date.”

William Shakespeare (English Playwright & Poet; April 1564 to April 23rd, 1616)

The Harmonic Convergence of an Authentic Life

“But if you have nothing at all to create, then perhaps you create yourself.”

Carl Jung (Swiss Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist; July 26th, 1875 to June 6th, 1961)

“In undertaking a spiritual life, what matters is simple. …We must make certain that our path is connected with our heart… When we ask, ‘Am I following a path with heart?’ we discover that no one can define for us exactly what our path should be. Instead, we must allow the mystery and beauty of this question to resonate within our being. Then somewhere within us an answer will come and understanding will arise. If we are still and listen deeply, even for a moment, we will know if we are following a path with heart.”

Jack Kornfield (American Psychologist & Writer; July 16th, 1945)

“For me, bearing witness to my authentic self is the most joyous and fulfilling spiritual path I have ever followed. It is truly ‘a path with heart,’ It began when I acknowledged that creativity is holy.”

“It’s never too late to reclaim your individual gifts, resuscitated a dream, create an authentic life. Consider this: what if ‘original sin’ is denying instead of celebrating your originality?”

“Each of us possesses an exquisite, extraordinary gift: The opportunity to give expression to Divinity on earth through our everyday lives. When we choose to honor this priceless gift, we participate in the re-creation of the world.”

“Our own life is the instrument with which we experiment with truth.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Monk & Peace Activist; 1910 to March 13th, 2002)

“I have been reclaiming my love for self. To recognize I am a gift and deserving to add to the world and my life has been the most important exploration I have ever embarked upon.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 281 to 283 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-28-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 28th, 2026

The Plie’ of Pleasure

“What is your hobby? Every woman ought to have some pet interest in life, outside of the everyday routine which composes her regular occupations. What is yours?”

The Mother’s Magazine (January 1915)

“There us a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated though you into action and because there is only one of you in all time this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”

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

“Not sure I have a hobby beyond this blog. Maybe I need to take another look to find something.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 274 to 275 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-26-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 26th, 2026

Discovering What You’d Like to Do, If You Ever Had the Time

“Develop interest in life s you see it; in people, things, literature, music–the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”

Henry Miller (American Novelist & Short Story Writer, December 26th, 1891 to June 7th, 1980)

“In the beginning spending regular time alone just to collect your thoughts will seem like indulgence enough. Spending toe alone to nurture your authentic vision, to express yourself creatively, to enjoy a personal pursuit that brings you contentment and pleasure will seem–well, impossible. Incredulous. Impractical, Inconceivable. Out of the question.”

It’s called zest. Exuberance. Joi de vivre, as the French would say, or ‘the love of life.’ The great delight that comes when the pieces of our particular puzzle finally fit. The heartfelt happiness we derive when something brings us keen pleasure. Something uniquely our own. They used to call this magical something a hobby.”

“How I think about my work is indistinguishable from the way I think about my needlepoint or cooking: here is the project I’m involved in. It is play. In this sense all my life is spent in play–sewing or needlepoint, or picking flowers or writing, or buying groceries.”

Diane Johnson (American Novelist & Essayist; April 28th, 1934)

“Once you commit to bringing more of a sense of play into your daily round with authentic personal pursuits, life will begin to take on a harmonious lilt.”

“My husband and I call this BEing in the FLOW. The Universe has a natural FLOW or rhythm that once you align with it, the possibilities unfold.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 272 to 273 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-25-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 25th, 2026

Opening a Door That Separates Two Worlds

“There are voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Essayist, May 25th, 1803 to April 27th, 1882)

“It’s impossible to experience solitude regularly for any extended length of time without personal passions and authentic longing surging to the surface of your awareness. Once you embarked on the search for your own authentic style, followed the wisdom of your own heart and have seen the results begin to blossom in your life, you realize that solitude cracks open the door that separates two worlds: the life we lead today and the life we yearn for so deeply.”

“..would not exchange her solitude for anything. Never again be forced to move to the rhythm of others.”

Tillie Olsen (American Writer; January 14th, 1912 to January 1st, 2007)

“…once we learn to respect and cherish our need for solitude, opportunities will arrive in which we can learn to nourish our imaginations and nurture our souls.”

“Begin slowly but resolutely. Take comfort in knowing that even stolen moments of solitude–quarter-hour increments–eventually can add up to a lifetime of serenity. Be patient.”

“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.”

Minor White (American Photographer; July 9th, 1908 to June 24th, 1976)

“I used to steal moments and now I schedule them into my day as part of my well-being.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 271 to 272 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-20-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 20th, 2026

True North

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”

Ursula K. LeGuin (American Author, October 21st, 1929 to January 22nd, 2018)

“I used to believe that happiness could only be found after arriving at my heart’s destination. Explorers call it true north.”

“…I’ve learned that the spirit of our journey is as important, perhaps even more important, than the arrival at our destination. In order for us to realize genuine happiness, we must be willing to court contentment every step of the way. For after all, the journey is really all that most of us will ever know. Day in, day out. The journey is real life.”

“I found myself saying to myself…I can’t live where I want to…I can’t go where I want to…I can’t do what I want to. I can’t even say what I want to. I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to…that seemed to be the only thing I could do that didn’t concern anybody but myself.”

Georgia O’Keeffe (American Painter; November 15th, 1887 to March 6th, 1986)

“…we can certainly learn slowly to follow her example, to carve out time for rewarding reveries that acquaint us with our authentic selves and give us glimpses of true north.”

“For it’s during our expectant hours–those hours that might once have been called ‘idle’–that we are most pregnant with our own potential.”

“..store up reservoirs of calm and content… and draw on them at later moments when the source isn’t there but the need is very great.”

Rupert Brooke (English Poet; August 3rd, 1887 to April 23rd, 1915)

“This skill–the soulcraft of devoutly caring for our authentic selves–rarely comes naturally or easily. But with practice, with patience, with perseverance, it does come.”

“Listening and peeling away the layers to get to my authentic self has been the most extraordinary journey of my life!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 265 to 266 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-18-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 18th, 2026

Loaves and Fishes, Part II

“Hospitality is one form of worship.”

The Talmud

“One of the most important lessons of the miracle of the loaves and fishes is that the bounty was shared. We need to remind ourselves that good times need to be shared as well, especially if we want more of them in our lives.”

“Sharing is Caring!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 263 to 264 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-17-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 17th, 2026

Loaves and Fishes, Part I

“We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.”

Matthew 14:17

“When we don’t get it, it’s usually because we can’t interpret the outward experience as it is relayed over the interior intercom. We can’t process it in our souls. What’s really happening in our outward lives is somehow taking place in a foreign language that we don’t understand. So we either assume that the outward manifestation is reality (which it isn’t necessarily), or we keep having to repeat the experience until it starts to make sense–rather like learning a foreign language by total immersion.”

“It’s not true that life is one damn thing after another–it’s one damn thing over and over.”

Edna St. Vincent (American Poet & Playwright; February 22nd, 1892 to October 19th, 1950)

“But speaking in tongues is a gift of Spirit. The language of the heart is longing; the language of the mind is rationalizing, the language of emotions is feeling. Spirit speaks them all. Today I would love for all of us to get it at last: not to focus on what we don’t have, but to be grateful for what we do. For us to accept, give thanks, bless, and share. For us not to hoard or hold back for fear that there won’t be enough. Because Spirit lacks for nothing.”

“As long as you have a few loaves and fishes, and know what to do with them, all you have is all you need.”

“I have spoken in tongues during moments of true elation. As someone with synesthesia, I interpret the world through color via emotions and authentic expression by myself and others. Blue is my favorite flavor of color, so if you occur blue to me, you are golden! Secret: My now husband appeared to me with blue aura the very first day we met. It was meant to be!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 261 to 263 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-16-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 16th, 2026

A Seasonal Feast: The Joy of Anticipation

“Why is any day better than another, when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?

By the Lord’s decision they were distinguished, and he appointed the different seasons and feasts;

some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he made ordinary days.”

Ecclesiasticus (also called Sirach) 33:7-9

“The joy of seasonal cooking is the simplest of pleasures, but one of the most overlooked. It brings harmony and rhythm to our days, demonstrating with gentle wisdom that simplicity and abundance are soul mates. The joy of seasonal foods transforms even the ordinary days at the table into hallowed moments, calling to mind the Book of Proverbs’ wisdom that ‘the cheerful heart has a continual feast.'”

“Summer is when Mother Nature shows off, proving that the Universe is not stingy. Gardens and farmers’ markets now overflow with the goodness of the earth. Now, while the summer is offering bountiful home economic lessons, is the perfect time to reconsider how you cook throughout the year.”

“‘There is no season such delight can bring,’ the English Poet William Browne believed, ‘as summer, autumn, winter and the spring.’ The simply abundant joy of seasonal foods will convince you that life can be a continual feast at Mother Nature’s table.”

“I know that I am happier now than I have ever been. With that happiness comes much laughter. My cheerful home creates a feast for my enjoyment. Truly extraordinary!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 260 to 261 of 501.

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

My Abundant Life 7-15-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 15th, 2026

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner

“I learned early on that setting a table is so much more than just laying down knives and forks. It is creating a setting for food and conversation, setting a mood and an aura that lingers long after what was served and who said what was forgotten.”

Peri Wolfman (Author; June 1960)

“The rituals of nourishment cry out for the communion cups, the special plates on which to break bread, the candle flame, the circle drawn in the dirt. Ritual protects and heals, ritual symbolizes to all who come to your tale seeking rest and renewal that they are enclosed within a sacred space. You may think you’re only laying a place at the supper table, but when you trust and follow your creative impulses to bring forth something beautiful, you experience the Sacred in the ordinary. Moses looked for God in the burning bush. We need look no further than our tables, the tables that the Hebrew Psalmist tells us have already been prepared for us so that our cups might runneth over.”

“When you take extra moments to prepare an attractive table, you’re really performing an invocation, welcoming Spirit to be present in recreation and remembrance. Choosing to dine rather than just eat is a small but significant step toward self-nurturance, and one to savor as long as we live. Creating an inviting table is possible more nights than you think, especially if you approach is as another venue of artistic expression in your daily round and confine your efforts, as Peri suggests, to ‘the simple, the doable, and the affordable.'”

“Today, start using and enjoying the beautiful things that already surround you in the home. Don’t save their loveliness only for other people to recognize and appreciate. Using them, you will become aware that authentic aspirations–from setting a pretty table to finding your life’s calling–are legitimate longings.”

“I believe every meal is a dinner party and we use all our fine ware to celebrate our dining with one another. Use it or lose it!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 258 to 260 of 501.

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