Cheryl Richardson's Blog, page 17

Turning apathy into action

We were two hours into my shift as a poll worker during last week’s midterm election when a young man dressed in black jeans and a t-shirt entered the check-in line. After giving his name and address, and confirming his birthdate, he was ushered to my section. As he approached our table, the woman seated next to me – an experienced poll worker in her seventies who seemed to know everyone in town – greeted him with a warm smile and an exuberant, Hello!

“How ya doin, Billy?” she inquired. “Is this...

For all the women I love

I sat quietly in the small office with mint green walls and white trimmed windows, waiting for the class to start. There were three students sitting nearby and we made small talk as we waited for the instructor. I felt shy and a little awkward, but dutiful. I was about to learn how to work the polls during this week’s midterm election – something my mother has done for years.

Like many of you, I’ve been anxious about the midterms, the threat to our democracy, and about the protection of women’s ...

The Three Fisherman

In light of the upcoming midterms, I thought I’d share a story I wrote during the last presidential election. With so much at stake, and with an unprecedented level of polarization in the world, I thought it might be a good reminder for us all.

The Three Fishermen

On Thursday afternoon, after a full day of calls and zoom meetings, I put on my sneakers and set out for a sunset walk in the neighborhood. I came to the reservoir near our home and stopped to talk with three fishermen who show up ever...

A legacy of beauty

Autumn morning ritual: Wake, stretch, walk to window and behold.

This time of year, the maple trees that line our driveway put on the most spectacular show. Each day the turning unfolds, culminating in a blaze of color before they bid their farewell for another year.

Here’s a peek at last week’s display:

We planted these trees nearly fifteen years ago and when autumn comes and the transformation begins, the sugar maples remind me to stop and appreciate the remaining seasons of my life. In this ...

Divine Intervention

I slipped out of the hotel room firmly pulling the door handle behind me to be sure it locked. My husband Michael was sound asleep and I wanted to enjoy a little breakfast before we headed home from a family wedding. As I walked down the long hallway towards the lobby, I studied the carpeted floor – dark blue with little white stars. I thought about all the hotel hallways I’d seen in my years of traveling alone and felt grateful to have Michael with me.

When I entered the restaurant, I was met b...

Give me some space

Yesterday, when I went downstairs to work out in our basement, I discovered that my husband Michael had moved a large piece of equipment to another part of the room. It left a wide-open space at the entrance of our gym area and the minute I opened the door and walked in I felt my body relax – even before I fully recognized why.

When I realized what Michael had done, I marveled at the difference it made in my attitude. Upon seeing the space, I instantly felt lighter, energized, and happier. Durin...

A quick and easy way to calm down

This morning, as I sat down to write, I received an upsetting phone call that kicked my adrenal system into high gear. As soon as I felt the cortisol running through my veins, I instinctively took a slow, deep breath and used a technique I learned from my friend Russ Hudson to keep myself in a calm, helpful state.

As I listened to the distressing details, I engaged my senses to stay present so I wouldn’t get on the crazy train. The crazy train is the ride the mind takes as it starts to imagine s...

Follow the slender threads

“It is an audacious notion to put forth in this age of science and willful determination that one’s existence is somehow inspired, guided, and even managed by unseen forces outside our control. Whether called fate, destiny, or the hand of God, slender threads are at work bringing coherence and continuity to our lives. Over time they weave a remarkable tapestry.”

This is the opening paragraph from one of my favorite books by Jerry Ruhl and Robert Johnson called Balancing Heaven and Earth and this...

Have your own back

Sometimes we gain wisdom from the most unexpected places. Last week I had my buttons pushed when I stumbled upon an exchange on Facebook about my work. Two women were discussing the release of my new audio program, “Self Care for the Wisdom Years,” and they made a few assumptions about me that were incorrect. And they weren’t very kind about it.

Normally I brush those things off. I’ve been at this a long time and I know better than to take things personally. But, I’m human, and having birthed a ...

Remembering…

Every year one of our local farms plants a giant sunflower field that blossoms into hundreds of bright, beaming faces that bring such joy to our community. I love the Colby Farm tradition. It attracts swarms of people to the field like bees to honey.

I also love the tradition because it’s temporary. The blossoms come and go in less than two weeks and it’s a precious reminder that life is a one-way adventure and we best take in the show at every turn.

Which brings me to today, September 11th.

As...