Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

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Summary: Connects to AA, Al-Anon and other 12-step programs!
Review: This book has been an amazing source of serenity for me. I have learned recently that serenity may be even more important than 'happiness'. The book offers useful suggestions and exercises for focusing on what's inside, not what's happening around you. A definite stress-reducer

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Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I only give it a "9" because I wish Ms. Breathnach had included her phone number so that I could call and tell her what a wonderful gift she has given women

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Summary: An absolute must for every woman who questions life.
Review: Sarah Ban Breathnach has provided a wonderful daily tool for women who are looking for answers to the big picture. I have grown so much from her daily insights. I have bought several copies as gifts for woman I know will benefit from her profound words of wisdom

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Summary: still solid
Review: Altho the author has exhibited "flaky" behaviour lately, this book remains a daily companion.

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Summary: Seeing all possible streams of abundance
Review: A nifty, wise, and eloquent daybook of life's precious and priceless forms of prosperity. Simple Abundance is a collection of how life can be seen from a state of gratitude that tunes us into an abundant flow for opportunities. Told in a stroytelling prose that reflects daily life and how to open one's eyes to the wealth we have already.

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Summary: when writers push too hard
Review: I first read this book when it came out in 1995. I remember enjoying it thoroughly then, and decided to flip through it the other night.

There are certainly pages that make for cheery light reading, which is what I was looking for. A little perk me up, I suppose. Unfortunately, I came across the phrase 'the sacred soulcraft of homecaring'. Gag. How long and hard did she think to come up with that one? I now feel like putting this one in my library donation pile.

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Summary: A great way to start the day...
Review: Thank you Sarah. As an author myself of a new book aimed at helping people realize and appreciate the joys and pleasures around them more, I was anxious to re-read this vast collection of contemplations and inspirations. Since reading it the first time, my subsequent "busy" life pushed many of my good intentions to a back burner. Re-visiting it has re-energized my mission to slow down. On the days I do that, I feel great. I love feeling great!

Simple Abundance will speak to anyone who ever uses the words "overwhelmed", "overloaded" or "stressed" to describe their life.

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Summary: Life as It Could Be, if Only....
Review: Reading books changes lives. You must first be who you really are; then, do what you need to do -- in order to have what you want. Sounds good, takes work and effort.

Using six diverse principles: gratitude, harmony, order, simplicity, joy, and beauty (not in this order) lead the author in her profound introspection period as she searched for wholeness.

After much soul-searching in her goal for happiness plus success, she went from distress to contentment and confidence. She'd been unhappy, frustrated, resentful, envious and angry (these are her adjectives) at the duties life had dealt her. Thus, she set out on a life-changing metamorphosis by writing her essays (one for each day of the year) as advice to other women who may need a bit of inspiration.

After two years of working on this project, she learned that everything in her life was significant enough to be 'a continuous source of reflection, revelation and reconnection.' She came to realize that abundance and lack are parallel realities. In 'Simple Abundance,' you find the sacred in the ordinary and the mystical in the mundane. At the heart of the journey is an awakening of one's Soul.

January is the month to dream, to look forward to the year ahead and the journey within;
February is heart month, searching for the grateful heart;
March shows stirrings of hope in the inner garden;
April (Dogwood month in Knoxville when beauty is abundant in all areas of the town.) is the Angel of the months when Spring flowers burst with color to grow gracefully, creatively and joyfully;
May casts a magic spell (in CAMELOT, it's the lusty month of May;
June brings forth a feast of roses and strawberries -- life's enrichments;
July has summer heat, as a melody that tune of contentment to hum as the days begin to beautifully blur;
August is too hot to be anything but receptive and reflective;
September's song is a two-part harmony as summer's light-hearted serenade ends and a deeper melody begins -- beauty to reap the rich harvest that Love has sown.
October dresses in flame and gold like a woman afraid of growing old; who can ignore October's bright blue sky;
November's beauty radiates from within; and
December -- the month of miracles and joy as we celebrate custom and ceremony.

The author calls herself a perfectionist. Halfway through the calendar of days is this quote: "Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order." Picture-perfect anything is image, illusion, make-believe, not the real McCoy. There may occur 'perfect moments' but to strive for personal perfection leads to misery instead of pleasure.

I expected to find some nuggets of wisdom in her short November inspiration called "Amazing Grace.' I chose it because I've never liked the song with that title and hoped this might change my mind. It didn't. What she deems 'grace' in a daily occurrence, I consider 'good luck.'

A house is who you are, not who you ought to be. She admonishes, "Like it or not, the personalities of our homes are accurate barometers which reflect through our surroundings where we have been, what's going on in our lives now, and who we are -- though not necessarily where we're going." We express our Real selves through the way we care for and decorate our homes, which reflect our personalities.

Consider the role color plays in your life. I heard a comment on radio (perhaps one of Wink Martindale's witty sayings); "If everyone in the world dressed in gray, this would be a dreary place." I am pleased to read that gray is one of the classic colors for fashion. The others I have already tried in different phases of my life, but now I enjoy the silver-gray to match my hair which grabs people's attention, as it is in a transition period just as I am. I notice that others are wearing more gray now, and letting their hair color go 'natural.' It is better to dress in colors and styles which please you, then you are projecting a vision of your authentic self.

In the October 1925 issue of 'Good Housekeeping,' the author found a novel remedy for weariness called 'The Poetry Cure.' Poetry connects you to your inner self. Longfellow has been my favorite poet ever since my d.j. at a growing-time of my life used it as his sign-off: "And the Night shall be filled with Music...." I went through a poetry stage, but only reading and enjoying, never able to write it. I have a friend named Jack who's written a couple of poems calling me his "lady." Only in his imagination! But he's learned to live with that.

For me, music is a much better way to express feelings -- not the bells, drums and rattles a shaman uses for medical therapy, but beautiful instrumentals and 'pop' voices like Michael Feinstein, Eddie Fisher, and Linda Ronstadt.

Recently I had a rather long wait in a doctor's office and the "relaxing" video playing continuously (over and over) for almost two hours had the opposite effect for me. After a while, I made the comment "that thing is giving me a headache; if I had to listen to that sound on a daily basis, I'd go crazy." It was not music, not relaxing, just a nuisance I didn't want in my life. Another person in the waiting room confessed it was giving him a headache, too. So much for the power of persuasion. I was wishing for Music Of Your Life to perk me up, as my local radio has inserted Christmas music much too early. When they go 'all Christmas,' I'll have to find another 'favorite' station. It makes me wish for three years ago at this time when I had both Westwood One, Adult Standards format, and Music Of Your Life to brighten my world.

This daybook can brighten your life. Four years ago, reading the daily passage as a ritual helped me through a very difficult crisis in my life. It can do the same for you. This book is a treasure; I'm glad I found this beautifully bound hardback at a local church bazaar. The author has gone on to write four others in this vein, and A MAN'S JOURNEY (which I've already reviewed).

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Summary: Simple Abundance is my muse
Review: This book is changing my life. It gives me ideas and hope and inspiration for living my dreams. Just taking some time daily to read it has blossomed into taking an hour for myself every day to reflect and plan and dream; I got the courage to ask to work at home and was able to; I cleared out clutter from my home; I started taking oil painting classes that I had stopped 30 years ago; I try to be grateful every day for the simple pleasures that abound in my life.

No, things aren't perfect in my life, but my attitude in dealing with the bad spots is making me a much happier person. And neither did every part of the book click with me (I never did connect with the home cooking part) but overall this book and Sarah have become my muses, and I highly recommend it to all busy women like me who are looking for a way to slow down a little and address that vague yearning for something more....



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Summary: shivering then calm
Review: Most inspiring book, the themes are well planned in the year, and keep us on track. Sometimes they are so true that it makes me shivered and then brings me back to a healthy calmness. Thanks Sarah for opening your heart to us. I will read it every day of every year.