In my all-time favorite book, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach, she shares this by John Tiernan:
"I am part of all that I have read."
Today is National Book Lovers Day. I wanted to introduce you to this favorite book that I am a part of after reading it for 18 years. I identify with Ban Breathnach's fearlessness and resilience, or as my visionary sister, Kat Tozier, would say an INDOMITABLE spirit.
Rewind: In 1995 Sarah was the mom of one daughter. She "blogged" before people even knew the word or the concept.
She shared daily snippets of wisdom to inspire people through her 365 days. As a visionary, Oprah saw her light. They chatted more than ten times on the Oprah Show. Sarah introduced her to the power of writing a gratitude journal. While now common place, back in the mid-90s this gratitude practice was sensational news! Remember this was long before the many who now espouse gratitude as an essential spiritual practice.
In 1998 my mom gifted me with Simple Abundance while I was teaching and raising my adoptive daughter on the island of Roatan, Honduras. For two years, I had no internet, TV, phone, or computer--not even daily snail mail. I visited the Internet Cafe on Saturday's. Islanders and expatriates like me just didn't have or seek all this "stuff." I was normal by island standards--abnormal by USA criterion. It was also just too expensive.
So imagine my delight for the daily ritual of opening Simple Abundance to see what Sarah had written “just for me.”
Her words were like a lifeline that tenderly offered inspiration, hope, courage, and more. Often there was the temptation to fast forward through the pages and read the next day's message-- even to read my October 14 birthday message. Sometimes I resisted. Sometimes I didn't.
Eventually, I disciplined myself to only read that day's Simple Abundance message. (It's called delayed gratitude I think.)
Now: I have gifted dozens of friends with Sarah's book.
If you’re in my life, I will happily gift you with this book so that you can meet “Sarah” and better know me. (I have three books in my gift closet right now.) It’s easy to go into any thrift store and quickly find the white and dusty rose-patterned book cover and scoop it up. Friends who join me in thrifting adventures often ask me at the checkout, “Did you find any Sarah's?” I have to giggle. They know me.
Flash Forward: Someday I'll meet Sarah.
Someday I'll meet this visionary woman who I've only known through her exquisite words--yet I think I know a wee bit of her soul in my heart. Hopefully, we’ll enjoy a long conversation over a delish meal and walk near the water…share photos of our daughters…and re-tell stories about being fearless and resilient women while raising daughters, losing love, and being writers. I know there will be lots of laughing and crying.
(Photo: Banner Roof Top, Laguna Beach, CA)
And why not?
I am part of all that I have read in Simple Abundance for the past 18 years.
I'd become a part of "Plant Dreaming Deep" by the late May Sarton. If i had to pick one by a living author, it would be: "And I Shall Find Some Peace Here," by Margaret Roach.
ReplyDeleteWhoosh! How lovely, Barb. Planning to read this.
DeleteI CAN DO IT and YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE by Louise Hay and FEELING GOOD by Dr. David Burns have helped me transform my thinking and my life. I see people stuck in negative thought patterns-- how miserable and victimized they seem to feel practically all the time! I'm so glad I read these books, changed my thinking and attitude. I highly recommend these three books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Kim Diaz. I got your email. Haven't read FEeLING GOOD. On my list!
DeleteI moved to Ecuador 18 months ago and brought my copy of Simple Abundance with me. Now that I that think about it, it was Lore who gifted it to me years ago. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteI think so, Sigrid! Happy you're reading it.
DeleteI, too, have gifted many women with Simple Abundance, Lore :) It was my source of courage, inspiration and vision for years while I was pursuing counseling and working on healing in that late 90s and early 2000s. It, along with Sue Monk Kidd's Dance of the Dissident Daughter, helped create a major turning point in my life. <3
ReplyDeleteWe're synchroicity sistahs once again, Kat.
DeleteThank you for gifting me with Simple Abundance years ago Lore. It's still a favorite. I'm loving The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. The daily insight and meditation is usually part of my morning devotions.
ReplyDeleteOh so many! If I pick one it would be The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz. Though published way back in 1984 it gave me some profound insights I am still working to integrate into my life. Stumbled over this title on someones top 10 or 20 most influencial books.
DeleteThanks for sharing these book titles...they're on my tr buy list, Judy.
DeleteYou're so welcome, Ingrid.
DeleteI hope you get to meet Sarah one day. I've got that book, too!
ReplyDeleteI know we will meet one day, Sheila!
DeleteI love this blog Lore! It is so beautiful and inspiring and reminds me that our inspiration can live on beyond the words on a page or spoken out loud and touch people's lives deeply. My mother gave me that book when I was a teen and you have inspired me to find another copy and reconnect to her wisdom as part of my daily self-nurturing practice. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAhh, mom's are so wise...yours and mine seem to be Synchronicity Sisters.
DeleteI am currently reading Denise Duffield Thomas book with my biz group.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check into that, Rachel. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI too love Sarah! You don't have to gift me, I already have it! I'm currently reading "A Religion of One's Own" by Thomas Moore and "You are the Placebo" by Dr. Jose Dispenza.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to add this to my list. One book that has stayed with me for years is "Everyday Sacred" by Sue Bender. Inside her pages is a quote from Deanne Metzger about how stories move within circles within circles. It reminded me that life isn't a straight line. Stories are a woven tapestry and everything really is connected.
ReplyDelete