Making 2015 a Simply Abundant year

[Barbara]

If you've read Simple Abundance (or might begin reading it or re-reading it again for 2015, as I am!), what are your "aspirations" for the year (versus Resolutions, per Sarah's essay for January 1st)?

[Allison]

Once I saw your post I decided to reread this wonderful book again. Perhaps this is what has been missing from my life the last year? So I read the definitions of both "aspiration" and "resolution" and the difference in these two words I come up with is "hope." An aspiration is the hope of achieving something while a resolution is the firm decision to do something. So with that in mind, my aspiration is to finish the Simple Abundance book and follow the path Ms.Breathnach lays out for us day by day doing my very best to follow her 6 principles: gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty and joy.

Thank you, Barbara, for reminding me of this book when I can start it fresh in the New Year.

[Barbara]

Thank you, Allison! I'm doing the same (obviously) -- and so glad my question was an inspiration to you also!

To keep me reading all year (rather than getting distracted in a month or two, which would be easy to do) I've just launched a phone/web Book Club+ MasterMind Group for some friends and their friends who wish to join me! (I haven't made this a book club on Goodreads -- but I could -- should I?)

Today, in fact, I hosted a conference call with some of my friends who are up for reading or re-reading SA in 2015. I shared why I want to re-read this book and talked about Sarah's 6 Principles (which you listed above -- thank you!) which she writes about on January 3rd. For a few minutes just before the end, I led Sarah's "Golden Mirror Meditation" (from Jan 30) for us all -- which was great! I recorded this Intro call to share with others who might like to join our year-long book club by phone/web as well.

You could do this with some of your friends -- or join us by phone! Feel free to check it out if you'd like companions on your Simple Abundance "journey" to generate more comfort and joy in 2015!

Our first official SA-2015 MM/BC call will be in the AM on Sat Feb 7 -- it will be recorded for anyone who can't join in live. We'll go over what we learned from reading the January section and share any actions we took from Sarah's suggestions that brought us more joy and comfort. We'll look ahead to February's monthly theme and I'll lead a guided meditation to launch it (I'm a hypnotherapist and good at leading guided meditations, or so people tell me...). Then we'll do a SA-2015 call on the first Saturday of each month all year long.

You can listen to our 1/3/15 intro call at:
Phone Dial-in Access = 712-432-3131 -- access code 95289545

or listen online at: http://tinyurl.com/SA2015-103call

If interested in joining us, email me for details at: SimplyAbundant2015@gmail.com (hope it's OK to share this here!)

Wishing you a year of balance, breakthroughs and blessings!

[Allison]

Barbara wrote: "Thank you, Allison! I'm doing the same (obviously) -- and so glad my question was an inspiration to you also!

To keep me reading all year (rather than getting distracted in a month or two, which ..."

Oh I would love a group on here to have more support on my journey this year. I tend to lose focus a month or two into it and having others to share and interact with might help me keep following the path and actually achieving some of my goals. It would also be a good way to have others join in. I am on Goodreads all the time and would check the group probably every day so that would be a tremendous support for me.

I did listen to your online conversation and found it quite interesting.I would love to join in to the monthly conversations but all I have is a cell phone and I'm not sure how good my reception would be.

[Maria]

I've had this book for years. I started re reading this last year but stopped some time in June when I began reading other books. I am simply fascinated by this book. It has helped me out so much. My aspirations for this year is to continue my reading and try to be more present. Especially with my children.

[Barbara]

Allison wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Thank you, Allison! I'm doing the same (obviously) -- and so glad my question was an inspiration to you also!

To keep me reading all year (rather than getting distracted in a mont..."

Cell phone is OK -- you can mute your phone if it's noisy. If you'd like more info on how to join in email me at SimplyAbundant2015@gmail.com. I'll be sending out info to anyone interested starting today.

I will also consider starting a Simple Abundance Book Club at GoodReads where we can post and share info on related books (to have a different focus than my call-in group but compliment it!). What do you think?

[Barbara]

Maria wrote: "I've had this book for years. I started re reading this last year but stopped some time in June when I began reading other books. I am simply fascinated by this book. It has helped me out so much. ..."

You might check out Sarah's newest book "The Best Part of the Day" -- it's an illustrated book for kids (and their parents) to help them learn to celebrate "simple abundance" when they're young and not wait until they have kids of their own (and need the extra support!)

Check it out at Amazon:
The Best Part of The Day

[Maria]

It sounds lovely. Thank you! I will look for it and let you know what I think after reading it.

[Barbara]

Today I followed the 1/31 suggestion to "make soup" and have a crockpot full of good veggies, chicken and broths -- which will be especially good as my husband has a cold! Love the aromas wafting from it -- even though it's 60degrees here in LA today!

Looking forward to launching my "Simply Abundant 2015" Book Club monthly calls next Saturday AM (9:30-10:30AM Pacific) -- and keeping the Simply Abundant path Sarah B-B has created for us going all year long! If you're interested in joining (can join at any time), email me at Barbara@YourLifeandSoul.com for details. Enjoy!

[Tara]

I received this book recently and am wondering, Should I start it at today's date or from January 1st?

[Barbara]

Start from today's date -- wherever you are -- sorry it took me so long to reply. If you begin from wherever you are, and then start from January 1st when we get there, it will keep you going all year long!

In fact, September's a great time to "start anew," according to Sarah -- her Sept 1st essay inspired me to co-create a new coloring journal calendar for September-October 2015 with my partner-in-coloring Deborah L. Brown. Last week we published our first Coloring Journals for Healthy Living offering -- Heart's Desire 2015 Coloring Journal Calendar -- based on Sarah's post about how resolutions made in January usually come from your will (should-dos); resolutions made in September come from your heart -- what you REALLY want to do from your Authentic Self! My 2015 Sept-Dec coloring calendar is now up on Amazon (yay!), and we're creating the 2016 full year version. I appreciate Sarah's inspiration -- which I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't continued reading "Simple Abundance" all year long -- which I'm finally doing for a change!

[Tara]

Barbara wrote: "Start from today's date -- wherever you are -- sorry it took me so long to reply. If you begin from wherever you are, and then start from January 1st when we get there, it will keep you going all ..."

Thank you; congratulations on your book.

[Sherri]

I've been doing the gratitude journal. Added mood tracking as well, because I'm trying to focus on being more positive. Then the journal expanded to ideas for my writing and crafting projects. That's ok. And you're right, this is a great devotional!

[Barbara]

I've actually been reading it every day all year long -- for the first time since I trained with Sarah Ban Breathnach as a Simple Abundance at Home Leader in 2008! I love reading it each morning with coffee. Can't believe I'll be starting over on January 1st --

Also, my 2016 Heart's Desire Coloring Journal Calendar will be ready in a few weeks -- will post here when it's available on Amazon.

Meanwhile, I did a podcast interview (along with my coloring-partner Deborah Brown) on Sept 30th with Maureen O'Crean who's Sarah's sister. Maureen manages Sarah's Simple Abundance website and FB page in addition to Maureen's own Distinctively Diva website. Here's a link to listen:
http://distinctivelydiva.com/divapart...

[Kay]

I was given the Simple Abundance book in 2013 by a dear friend. Each year I start again and go through the year, each time gaining some different insight or thought for reflection. I am thinking of giving a copy to another friend for Xmas, to pass on this great gift of a book.

[Janet]

I have just come across this thread and I hope someone will find my blog interesting. I am following Simple Abundance day by day throughout 2016. Check it out and let me have your comments please.
http://gringaba.wix.com/literature-blog

[Allison]

Janet wrote: "I have just come across this thread and I hope someone will find my blog interesting. I am following Simple Abundance day by day throughout 2016. Check it out and let me have your comments please.
..."

I did go look at your blog and found it inspiring and yes, interesting. I was most touched by your January 13th entry about the old lady selling the figs. The last line " how could she have smiled that wonderful smile?" really made me think about someone having a little and still being willing to share while most people have a lot and wouldn't dream of giving something of theirs away.

Good luck with the decluttering. I too need to do that (sooner rather than later) and should get off the computer right now and start it, lol.

[Janet]

Allison wrote: "Janet wrote: "I have just come across this thread and I hope someone will find my blog interesting. I am following Simple Abundance day by day throughout 2016. Check it out and let me have your com..."

Many thanks, Allison. You have made an entry in my Gratitude Journal! Best of luck to you too. Janet

[Barbara]

Curious whether anyone is reading "Simple Abundance" daily in 2017 -- let us know!

[Connie]

YES, and my search for a discussion group brought me to Goodreads!! This is my first visit, and I've just posted a question regarding a group such as yours! I've read this book (sporadically) for years, strengthening my spirituality while gaining wisdom and hope when I REALLY needed them! I would like to experience a year of consistently following the Simple Abundance path, to experience the awaiting miracles!