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20th out of 289 books
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219 voters
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy
With the grace of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift From the Sea and the wisdom of M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Traveled, Simple Abundance is a book of 366 evocative essays - one for every day of your year - written for women who wish to live by their own lights.
In the past a woman's spirituality has been seperated from her lifestyle. Simple Abundance shows you how your daily
...moreHardcover, 528 pages
Published
August 1st 2008
by Warner Books
(first published November 15th 1995)
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I have a lot of found memories about this book. It is a book about self, featuring a short essay to read each day. It is set up in calendar format and wonderfully written to inspire peace in one's life. A book I will never part with!
This book was already a best-seller when my dad gave me a copy back in 1998, but I had never heard of it then, and didn't know what to expect. I plunged in, was immediately impressed, and now I give the book five stars because it made such a difference in my outlook on life at the time. These little essays are just plain feel-good stuff and inspirations for every occasion I can think of. Furthermore, these various missives (I have several favorites) continue to give me a little emotional boost...more
I bought this book back in 1998. It is my favorite book of all. Each day you read a small section for that day. It is very inspiring and informative. Not only does the author, Sarah ban Breathnach, give me something positive to reach for but I usually learn little tid-bits of interesting, historical trivia. If I go a few days and forget to read this book, after I pick it up and begin again, I am "back on top" of things and looking at the world from a much sweeter perspective. I highly recommend...more
Dec 13, 2012
Thing Two
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Thing Two by:
Alicerschmidt
January 19: Many of us unconsciously create dramas in our minds, expecting the worst from a situation only to have our expectations become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Inadvertently, we become authors of our own misfortune. And so we struggle from day to day, from crisis to crisis, bruised and battered by circumstances without realizing that we always have a choice.
I loved this book when I first read it in 1996. I loved the ideas for appreciating each season, and how it encouraged you to live your authentic life. I did a lot of the exercises in it too, like creating a book with all pictures in it that you like to learn your true style. I had a little trouble with the "gratitude journal" though. I found it difficult to do on a nightly basis. But I loved everything else this book suggests. My all-time favorite is the "Living Easter Basket" which is a basket...more
This is a must read for anyone that wants to transform their way of thinking, one day at a time.... One of the opening quotes says it all...
Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
-Margaret Young
The whole point of the book is to find yo...more
Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
-Margaret Young
The whole point of the book is to find yo...more
I was given this book by a dear friend. My friend made me a 'Gratitude Journal', which I used as I read and followed along with each daily passage. It is a book to be read daily and offers suggestions on just about everything in our lives from personal development to gardening. The book is filled with quotes from famous people and well-known sources along with a daily topic (positive thought). There are poems for meditation which give inspiration to women. This book's aim is to help you discover...more
of course this book is cheesy. of course it's a cliche. of course it's tempting to shrug off any of the good in it in favor of trashing sarah's personal life. and of course i wasn't the target audience for it as a 19-year-old college student back in 1998, and i'm still not the target audience 10 years later. but i credit this book for helping me weather a particularly difficult depressive episode in the first half of '98 and come out of it transformed--not into someone new, but into my authentic...more
Sarah Ban Breathnach's best in my opinion -- one which I use as reference rather than "gospel" however and which is dipped into at will.
I have started this book three times and never made it past March. I don't know if it's because I get distracted or if it's because Sarah Ban Breathnach is always talking about her family and the kids and all of the responsibilities of a mom and wife -- and I can't relate. Or maybe I just get bored. I have learned some important tips that I've found helpful (my fav is what I call my "happy drawer") where I keep stuff that makes me happy so it's there when I need it. Maybe I'm just stubborn -- th...more
I adore this book and have given it as a gift several times. I discovered it at a yard sale when I had a two-year-old and newborn in tow. I loved how she broke things down day by day. If it's December 18, you turn to that day and start there. I loved the format because I didn't get a lot of time to read and it kept me on track. I still reread it from time to time. I was going through a box from my early college days and realized I had bought and used one of her workbooks...way back then. It's in...more
Given the chance to grow into someone wiser is always a pleasure. In this world with surprises that can jump out of nowhere, where stress and hardships can creep up, wisdom and guidance truly are the light that can chase away the shadows. Each day I read the passage for the day, I take it with me and go on with my day feeling asure that I can handle what life throws at me. I enoy Sarah Ban Breathnach sharing her stories and to know she; like all of us, learn from experiance. Sort of like a frien...more
There are definitely some golden nuggets in this book that can really enrich your life however, it is obvious that the author is a bit "off" spiritually - and sometimes takes quotes out of context or twists them to make a point. So many times I wanted to yell at her and say "That is not what that quote was referring to!!!" but it's too late - hopefully people who read this are educated enough to know the meaning behind most of those quotes as the meaning is much greater than what she made them t...more
I have been reading this book off and on for about five years. I go through phases where I read it daily, and then I might not pick it up again for six months. I find the essays to be nice source of inspiration and positive thoughts. It is a nice thing to read at the beginning or end of your day, to take a few moments and read about giving thanks and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Sometimes Breathnach gets a little too out there for my taste, with talk of guardian angels, mirror meditati...more
There were some good suggestions about finding the goddess within ourselves, but a little too "self help" for me. There was even great advice about spring cleaning and how it is so good for the soul in getting the clutter out and a sense of inspiration back. Exercise was heavily suggested during the months of April to July and even the joy of just some casual window shopping versus a shopping spree.
My favorite activity that I want to do from this book is go hunting for fireflies in the summer o...more
My favorite activity that I want to do from this book is go hunting for fireflies in the summer o...more
This book was given to me as a birthday present from a dear friend. I started reading this book on the day my friend gave it to me..... Immediately I was drawn to the story on this particular calendar day.
It contains 366 essays or short stories for each calender day of the year.....
The opening quote of the book is: Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually...more
It contains 366 essays or short stories for each calender day of the year.....
The opening quote of the book is: Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually...more
This is one of my mom's favorite books. In fact, she loves the book so much, that she went to a workshop from Sarah Breathnach in California one year.
I tried to read this book when I was a teenager but couldn't relate to it at the time so I dropped it. I think this book is more directed to women about ages 20+ years.
Reading this book was quite entertaining for me since it brought so many memories of growing up with a mom who followed a lot of the suggestions from this book. I often read passages...more
I tried to read this book when I was a teenager but couldn't relate to it at the time so I dropped it. I think this book is more directed to women about ages 20+ years.
Reading this book was quite entertaining for me since it brought so many memories of growing up with a mom who followed a lot of the suggestions from this book. I often read passages...more
I was disappointed in the theological soupiness and often sappiness of this book, though she occasionally shares some interesting thoughts, as well as several good quotes. I did not find 365 days'-worth. In her view, Spirit is merely a tool to achieve more of Self. "Self" emphasis is not the salvation she implies, but is the bane (and often outright sin) of our generation. Lord, save us from ourselves! Her exhortations to embrace gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty and joy (virtues all...more
Jun 08, 2010
Janet
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
All moms!
Recommended to Janet by:
Oprah
When I was finally ready to read this book, I had to dig deep down into my pile of unread books to find it. I had gotten it years earlier after seeing Sarah on Oprah. I knew then that what she was teaching - to fully reside in the present and see the spiritual in the seemingly mundane - was exactly what I needed to grasp. The problem was that I was buried so deep in the mundane that I didn’t make this a priority until several years later.
Simple Abundance is a “day book”...to get the most out of...more
Simple Abundance is a “day book”...to get the most out of...more
Jun 13, 2010
Rebecca
is currently reading it
I read this book almost daily and it has completely revamped the way I think about taking care of myself. It's also not overwhelming because you can implement small beautiful practices into your life daily or monthly...there are lots of ideas and suggestions and it really does help a woman learn to love and nurture herself so she can love and nurture those around her better. It has changed my life to start reading this book. I can't say enough about it. If you are a woman-- I think you should re...more
There's nothing inherently bad about the advice she offers, it's just rudimentary and shallow. It's best read by a woman who has no concept of self-care (and I'm sure there are millions). Take a bubblebath is one suggestion. Notice that fate is malicious (this one creeped me out. Maybe I misread?).
I suspect that a woman this out-of-touch with her own basic needs would not recognize that she needed help in the first place. Go ahead and give her this book. Otherwise, skip it.
I suspect that a woman this out-of-touch with her own basic needs would not recognize that she needed help in the first place. Go ahead and give her this book. Otherwise, skip it.
I love this book. Each day offers some deep wisdom on creating and living a more authentic life of simple abundance. There are self-discovery exercises and inspiration for deep awakening. Though I've not been able to discipline myself to complete a full year of daily reading, I do intend to next year. (I started out this year reading daily, for several months - but then I allowed my life to get too cluttered before realizing a whole month had passed, and so I set it aside to try again next year)
I love this book. I've read it many times and find something new in it each time. Sarah's writing style is rich and includes wonderful quote from famous and not so famous people. This is a book that I can truly say changed my life. It has brought an awareness to me that I appreciate every day. It has allowed me to think out side of the box and try things I never would have attempted. The books that followed Simple Abundance were good- but they had a very tough act to follow!
This was a book I stumbled upon bc one of the Sales Managers at my old job had it. I would read it daily at work, borrowing hers of course, so my last day of that job, they surprised me by buying me my own copy. It's a book you can read daily for a year. Each day has it's own message. Since 2007 I've been reading this book & every time, it gives me a new message -depending on where I have been in my life or the day I'm having, it's always new : )
This book has one to two pages for each day of the year. I think her writing is specific, on point for those wanting positive enforcement, and enlightning. I particular like the excerpt about Kairos versus chronos time. I use this book along with Language of Letting Go, and Ask and It Is Given ...to run my life. They have become the formula for me to be successful in a lot of life aspects at the present. Also use Eckert Tolle to augment these.
I really enjoy this book and go back to it several times a year since there is a story for each day of the year. It reminds you to be thankful for the wonderful things in your life and to see the abundance regardless of all that you may or may not possess. I think in this country we get the message that you can't enjoy life until you make a certain wage or have a certain amount of money in the bank and this point of view leaves us all bankrupt.
When my former husband left me 10 years ago, I was devastated not knowing what the future would be like... alone at 48. A counselor recommended this book to help me keep focused on today and not on the lonely unknown. The one tidbit I continue to use is to write down 5 or 10 good things that happened that day (the taste of chicken noodle soup, the winter stars, the love of a fluffy white dog). I use it to thank God for those gifts.
This was a very useful book of ideas and suggestions to improve your life and develop your spirituality. I believe Breathnach is one of the first authors I read to suggest living your life from a perspective of gratitude. When I use her suggestions to begin and end my day expressing gratitude and listing all those things for which I am and should be grateful, my life emanates from a much calmer and more joyful place, that's for sure!
I remember loving the optimistic beauty of this book, and then a friend at work made the comment 'yeah, it must be nice to have time to think about stopping and drinking a cup of tea in solitude. Like _i_ will ever have that kind of time. What world is she living in?' And it snapped me awake thinking, dang! you know, they're both right! We need the time and the beauty, and darned if i know how in the world to gain both...
Sep 07, 2011
Phwade143
added it
The quotes and words of this book have replaced the words I heard as a child
The replaced words from Sarah Breathnach are more kind, loving, peaceful and I wish we could hear these words in our minds everyday.
They also help me understand why I need to clean my closet, enjoy my kitchen and generally feel good when I'm busy, or when I'm relaxing and taking care of myself.
I still refer to this book and use the quotes.
The replaced words from Sarah Breathnach are more kind, loving, peaceful and I wish we could hear these words in our minds everyday.
They also help me understand why I need to clean my closet, enjoy my kitchen and generally feel good when I'm busy, or when I'm relaxing and taking care of myself.
I still refer to this book and use the quotes.
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In addition to SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, Sarah Ban Breathnach is the author of THE SIMPLE ABUNDANCE JOURNAL OF GRATITUDE, SOMETHING MORE, and MRS. SHARP'S TRADITIONS. She currently resides in California. Please visit her website at www.simpleabundance.com.
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“Today expect something good to happen to you no matter what occurred yesterday. Realize the past no longer holds you captive. It can only continue to hurt you if you hold on to it. Let the past go. A simply abundant world awaits. (January 11)”
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148 people liked it
“Usually, when the distractions of daily life deplete our energy, the first thing we eliminate is the thing we eliminate is the thing we need the most: quiet, reflective time. Time to dream, time to contemplate what's working and what's not, so that we can make changes for the better. (January 17)”
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23 people liked it
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