Quotes, poems, meditations and practical exercises for every day of a woman's year include thought-provoking, inspirational messages, money-saving suggestions, gardening and decorating ideas, and thoughts on personal fulfillment. 30,000 first printing.
This book features 366 essays penned from a woman's perspective. Sample topics include gratitude, harmony, self-nurturing, positive body image, the importance of scented linen closets, and many others. Each essay sports a pithy quote from (surprise!) the likes of Kahlil Gibran. Viewed uncritically, it's hard to argue with Simple Abundance's earnest admonitions to appreciate life, in all its messy imperfect excellence. And the fact that serenity and happiness are each in dreadfully short supply can excuse some of the treacly writing. But Breathnach sometimes lapses into what can only be described as her "Martha Stewart on Prozac" voice, and the results are aggravating to the extreme: "If you've been hesitant to strike up a reciprocal relationship with your guardian angel, don't be." Fans of guardian angels will greet these feel-good essays every morning with the rising sun, a cup of mint tea, and a bluebird chirping on the windowsill, and be happy. Skeptics will prefer their coffee very black.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple Abundance Book Review
Comment: Received books in fairly short time. Each book came from a different supplier. Books were supposed to be new, as I was planning to give as Christmas gifts, however, first book has writing in it and smelled of cigarette smoke. Second book looked new, but had writing in the inside cover (a dedication) I did complain about the smelly book, which they promptly replaced with a new book with no writing in it. I just think if you order new, the books should be new. I consider a book with writing in it "Used".

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Customer Rating:
Summary: "Comforting Words..."
Comment: In each of the last five years, somewhere in the beginning of January, I have reached into my stack of books in search of Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy." This book offers what too few other books -- self-help or otherwise -- afford. In single-page snippets -- 365 of the them to be exact -- Sarah Ban Breathnach reached deep into her spiritual self exploring for us, and with us, the journey she took to explore her soul in a search for a more authentic life. As I continue on this journey of life, seeking a sense of what it all means, I have come to believe that journey to eke out authenticity in our lives is vital to living an abundant, soul-satisfying life. This is one of those rare books that has helped me do that. More than a decade old, this book is not dated. It is written by a woman for women. Get one for yourself and while you are at it, buy a few extra to share. Your family and friends will thank you for it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple Abundance...Simply Brilliant
Comment: This book is a must read for anyone who is spiritual and a woman. Most people are familiar with Oprah's advocating the keeping a gratitude journal; however most do not know that this is the book the concept emanated from. I did not read through the essays over the course of a year, reading one each day, but read the entire book over a 3 week period. There is no way to read this book and not feel empowered, grateful, and creative. If you ever need a pick me up. Pick up this book, flip to any page, and watch your mood elevate. Most reviewers will talk about how this book changes their lives, which is entirely possible and true. However, this book is extremely witty and funny. Here are my favorite funny items from the book:

* "Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes" Robert Maynard Hutchins

* In the book Ms.Breathnach states that one of the great unanswered questions by the famous Dr. Sigmund Freud is "What does a woman want"; to which she responds "A nap, Dr. Freud. A nap."

This book is filled with wisdom not only from Ms.Sarah Ban Breathnach, but also from other authors, philosophers, poets, and other enlightened past and present inhabitants of planet earth. Here are my key moments of wisdom from the book:

* "Always remember the best description of fear is "false evidence appearing real."

* "It is along time since I have asked heaven for anything, but still my arms will not come down," Spanish poet Antonio Porchia mused, giving voice to the profound paradox of asking. We want, we need, we desire, we year, but we don't ask.

* "Did you know that Amish quilters will deliberately add a mismatched patch to each quilt to remind themselves that only spirit can create perfectly? We need to remember that. We should only strive to be first-rate versions of ourselves. And our best is always good enough"

This is a book you will visit again and again. It will become one of the treasures of your bookcase. The future use for this book include: cheering up on "bad hair days", the replacement of Häagen Dazs after heartbreak, and the ultimate book to feel grateful for who you are, where you are, and the infinite dreams of what you can become.

Review courtesy of Aisha Jones-Scheffel, The Doctor's CFO, www.DoctorCFO.com

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An amazing experience...
Comment: Ten years after first buying this book, 2008 was the year I was able to read "Simple Abundance" all the way through. Sarah Ban Breathnach has written a charming, inspirational collection of essays about the small pleasures that point to the soul. She is well read, spiritual, and soulful. In days of yore, she would have been a tribal elder.

Unfortunately, it's a book that's easy to neglect because getting through it is a commitment. I started it several times but never seemed to get past April. I'm so glad I finally had the time to follow through on this. As the months passed, and I read deeper into the book, something took over. It's what Audre Lourde refers to as the "internal YES." Our soul perks up as we experience art, books, music, food, and moments in physical beauty that connect us to a higher sense of self. It can be as simple as a well made cup of coffee and as significant as a line in a book that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks. Something is pointing us in a direction and we need to follow those clues. It sounds hokey, but it is actually quite profound. My quality of life has gone up as I learned to follow these clues.

I don't think it's a coincidence that I lost 30 lbs this year. As I learned to engage in things I really enjoy, I was less focused on unnecessary distractions. Make a commitment to read this book in 2009. It is an amazing experience.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Bringing Abundance Into Your Life
Comment: Every evening before going to sleep I read a lovely empowering essay from my little pink book and then listen to a track from my favorite meditation
CD,Living The Secret Everyday:My Secret Meditation which is about changing my beliefs and thinking. This ritual has been life-changing...so empowering...that allows me to focus clearly on all the joys and beauty in my life.

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