The message for Jan. 17 is about finding a balance in your life which Breathnach calls “harmony.” We each need to find the balance between the demands of outside forces–family, work, social obligations–and the inner “me” who needs peace and relaxation. Breathnach likens the journey for achieving harmony to that of the pianist learning not just the notes of a composition, but the timing, the cadence–knowing where to pause for effect. I get that.…
Hello, my name is Leah, and I’m a clutter-a-holic. I’m not sure that’s an actual word, but I do believe it’s an actual condition which could be applied to those who are surrounded by clutter. Just look at the TV shows that try to tackle this malady: Hoarders, Clean Sweep, Extreme Clutter, to name a few. The University of California even produced a series about how our modern culture looks at and uses space,…
Breathnach says once we begin to identify our blessings, “we feel the urge to pare down, get back to basics, and learn what is essential for happiness.” As an example she says, “Visualize a bouquet of bright yellow daffodils in a white milk jug on a pine mantel, sunlight streaming through sparking clean windows, the shine of beautifully varnished wooden floors, the shimmering glow and fragrance of pure beeswax candles.” Uh….all of that to…
Today’s reading suggests keeping a gratitude journal. Breathnach says to write down five good things that happened to you at the end of every day, the idea being if you document the good stuff, your perception will begin to change. You’ll begin to be more aware of your blessings. It is a great idea, one I started when I first began the book in November. Unfortunately I only lasted 15 days. My daily “thanks” ended…
I’m starting to really dislike this book. Today’s message is about awakening the gratitude in your heart for your many blessings. That’s not what’s causing the downward spiral of my enjoyment of the book. That’s a wonderful message, one I try to adhere to. What’s bothering me is my impression that the author was writing from a place of if not elitism, then certainly a position of comfort so extreme she can’t even understand…
I’m a little annoyed with the Jan. 12 message in “Simple Abundance,” starting with the title “There is No Scarcity.” The gist is that we shouldn’t worry about money…our financial status ebbs and flows, and “You have the power to change your lifestyle and move from a feeling of lack and deprivation to a feeling of abundance and fulfillment.” … I’m sorry, but to me that’s a load of garbage. There are millions of…
Sarah Ban Breathnach invites readers to join the optimists’ club in her Jan. 11 reading. She says we all face down-turns in life — whether financial or with health or relationships — and the key to surviving is optimism. She says it’s a learned habit, and her homework for the day is to “Smile at everyone you meet. … Realize the past no longer holds you captive. … A simply abundant world awaits.” It’s not…
The Jan. 10 reading for “Simple Abundance” is all about making the most of every moment of life so we don’t leave this earthly world with regrets. It references Emily from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and some Christians’ practice of celebrating the Epiphany. You could look at Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for a similar message (live each moment with a generous spirit), and I’m sure there are many more references in classic or popular fiction…
Today’s message asks us to examine what we really need for happiness, the goal being, I presume, to get us to shift perceptions from seeing our glasses half full instead of half empty. So what do we really need for happiness? When I first asked myself this question, my answer was the pretty simple: Aside from health, which is not something entirely in my control, a roof over my head in a safe environment with…
Journey to Contentment Day 8 The message for January 8 is that “authentic” happiness goes far beyond the new pair of shoes we’ve been eyeing, or the kitchen remodel we’ve been hoping for. This kind of happiness is found only deep within each person’s soul, and it has to be sought, purposely. In encouraging us to strive for that level of contentment, Breathnach quotes both Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote that it’s a personal duty…