Simple Abundance is my bible for everyday living. Ever since the book’s author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, appeared on the Oprah show many years ago, I have been reading the book over and over again throughout the years. If you haven’t yet read it, Simple Abundance is described as “A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” and it has one lovely piece of writing for each day of the year. “Some days are shaped by simple pleasures, others are redeemed by them,” says a July entry. How true it is. When I was working at my last job, many days were redeemed by simple pleasures—a cup of tea and a homemade banana muffin, or a chat with a colleague about books, movies or anything other than work. Summer is the time to shape the day with simple pleasures, if you are lucky enough to have the time. One recent day springs to mind—we played on the beach, waded in the lake, ate a simple lunch and made a short trip to scenic Port Dover to explore shops, enjoy the warm weather and have a meal with family at a local restaurant.
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| Granny and grampy pause in Port Dover |
“Today there was no need to glance wistfully at the past or project anxiously into the future because the present was fully lived and simply abundant,” says Ban Breathnach. When circumstances dictate that your day can’t be shaped by simple pleasures, she advises, surely you can redeem the day by spicing it with a few pleasurable activities. Some of my personal favourites are the aforementioned cup of tea, a chat with a good friend or watching a funny movie after the kids go to bed. Oh, and there’s always a good big hunk of chocolate to brighten your day.
