Cheryl Richardson's Blog, page 21

The gentle unfoldment of wings

This morning I woke from an insightful dream. I had driven my SUV onto the sand of a local beach, walked to the shoreline, and prepared to step into the icy water. It was a sunny, windless day and I was anxious to feel the exhilaration of a quick swim. As I stood looking out over the calm sea, I realized that because this dip was unplanned, I didn’t have a way to warm up afterward. There were no towels or sweaters or slippers waiting in the car.

My dream ended with me standing on the shoreline, ...

Is your attention being hijacked?

The sparkling white of new-fallen snow is a welcome visitor this morning after the blackout of yesterday’s storm. I love the way snowdrifts add a feminine feel to the landscape with their smooth lines and gentle curves – gifts from Mother Nature that soften the harshness of winter.

Sitting by the window, I placed my computer on my lap to start writing when I realized it was my niece’s birthday. I picked up my phone to text her a message and suddenly remembered a book I wanted to send to my frie...

Are you ready to take the plunge?

This week, I’m sharing a previous blog because I’ve just opened registration for our next “Self Care by the Sea” retreat at the end of April, and I have an exciting new event planned that includes the experience I write about below.

You can learn all about the new retreat, here.

~*~ Take the plunge!

On Friday afternoon I visited a beach near our home to swim with a group of women who have fallen in love with cold water plunging. We call ourselves “The Mermaids” and every week, women of all shape...

When the mind ruins a good fantasy

I’m sitting in the sun with my cat Wednesday nestled in my lap purring softly into my elbow. She likes to sit with me when I write and I spend more time than I should be trying to balance the keyboard on my knees as I type so as not to disturb our shared reverie.

Wednesday has taught me to place pleasure over purpose.

Winter has arrived in full force here in the northeast with single-digit temperatures and cold winds that take the breath with it. Yesterday morning, as I braced against the bluste...

Let’s stay together.

It was such a delight to receive so many emails from those of you who are interested in attending a Zoom gathering in support of cultivating a calm inner state. I’ve been wanting to do something to help with the growing anxiety that so many are feeling and I appreciate your interest.

The first “Zoom Gathering” is scheduled for Wednesday, January 19th at 4pm ET/1pm PT. It’s free to anyone who wants to feel connected, calm, and inspired to meditate more (please share the invitation). While it’s im...

Get your ticket!

Can you imagine the kind of year you’d have if you said “Yes!” to this question:

If you did, this one commitment would dramatically alter the course of your life. While it might seem like a tall order, it starts with the simple step of meditating ten minutes a day to develop the habit of observing your thoughts. As you do, you’ll start to naturally separate yourself from the inner noise and that’s your ticket to freedom.

Freedom from worry.
Freedom from drama.
Freedom from mental and physical e...

A welcomed surprise

We woke to a winter wonderland with trees laced in white and evidence of critters scurrying over snow-covered fields throughout the night. As I stare at the scene before me, I think about how beauty animates life in the most gratifying way.

My fingers and I are taking a break from machines this week to rest and replenish. It’s good to immerse oneself more deeply in the simple, unplugged pleasures of life.

As 2021 comes to an end, I choose to focus on all there is to be thankful for – the wellbe...

The art of making moments

Sitting by the window in the early morning light, I watch geese glide across the inky blue reservoir below. Like shooting stars in the night sky, they leave trails of light in their wake making a moment I know I’ll always remember.

Moments. When I look back over my life, the memories that stand out the most are the experiences that felt spontaneous and special. The surprise visit from a red fox rolling around in the backyard. Running into a high school friend I hadn’t seen in years while finish...

Turning disappointment into delight

Disappointment seems to be on the menu this year as we alter our holiday plans to address the rise in Covid cases in our area. Since Michael and I experienced first-hand the impact of the virus on family members who were hospitalized, we’re curbing our exposure to crowds to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

While it’s frustrating to still be limited in how we’re able to move about the world, I’m grateful for the chance to strengthen my ability to come back to this moment and simply deal w...

Holiday happiness

Every night when I go to bed, I pull out a small journal from my bedside table and write a few things down. I make a note of what I did for exercise, what I did for fun, the wildlife visits I experienced on that particular day, the number of times I meditated, and a few things I feel grateful for.

I also jot down three or four intentions I have for the week as a way to train my mind to stay focused on what matters. This simple practice has really helped me to neutralize anxiety and to feel hopef...