by Sarah Ban Breathnach
How do you feel about “feel-good” sayings and cute quotes?
I am usually cynical!
But “Simple Abundance” is different!
I was given this book by my wonderful sister-in-law, Janet, whilst visiting her in Boulder, Colorado. She loved it and claims it changed her way of seeing everday life… So I decided to “do” it.
The rest of the title is “A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” – and that is what it sets out to be.
Breathnach offers “Simple Abundance” as a handbook and gets you doing self-growth type of exercises from the start. I particularly liked the “gratitude notebook” suggestion… Jotting down 5 things at the end of everyday that make you feel thankful!…
She says,
“…you simply will not be the same person two months from now after conciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.”
“Simple Abundance” is a book of 366 essays, one for each day of the year, which encourage and inspire women (men really can benefit, Janet shared this book with my brother) to find their own authentic selves in their everyday life.
“Simple Abundance” starts each day with a quote and then follows with a short essay that sets a focus for the day.
Even though this book was published in 1995, I feel that it’s usefulness is perrenial. With recession, unemployment, global insecurity and general gloom dominating the headlines, more than ever we need to feel the Simple Abundance that is in our lives. And Sarah Ban Breathnath’s book does just that!
Comments From Other Readers…
“There are so few books which can actually add something to your life, day after day, month after month, year after year. This is one of them. It is a book for women on the search to find more meaning in their daily ritual as caretakers, more joy in the everyday. It gives me something to think about each day of the year. I feel a bit sorry for those who give it the knee jerk New Age blasting. But, it takes all kinds to make the world go around. “
“Since books are for reading and pondering, the pleasure in this one is in doing exactly that, and it does provide a lot of it. The problem I had with it was its overall frenetic busyness, which is in sharp contrast to its meditative advice. If you haven’t already read it, go ahead, and somewhere in all its generosity and abundance you’ll find ideas that appeal to you and that you can realistically use. But remember, if you can’t keep up with the suggestions and images given for creating a perfect home, don’t feel guilty.”
“I am in the process of reading this book. This is a great book. As someone who is going through a job change, moving, and breaking free from a shame-based, hateful family, I am reading this book, and experiencing a serenity, through doing things, everyday, simple things, that don’t cost much, that add value to my spirit.
I am looking at this book, from this point as something that is helping me to bring out things in me, habits that enhance who I am, that I had given up on, prior to this book.
Thank you so much, Sarah Ban Breathnach.
I look forward to my journey.”
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Reviewed by Margo
April 2009
