Cheryl Richardson's Blog, page 50

Week 36 – What would you tell the younger you?

One of my favorite television shows here in the states is a program on CBS called “Sunday Morning,” hosted by Charles Osgood. This time last year, they aired an interview with Christopher Cross, the singer/songwriter who wrote hit songs like Sailing and Ride Like the Wind.

I loved those songs and when I heard them again on the show, I thought back to that time in my life – a young girl just out of high school, waiting for some big life to unfold.

During the interview Christopher was asked, “I...

Week 35 – Here’s a good reason to listen to the wise little voice inside.

It was 10:30pm when the oppressive summer heat finally gave way to cool night air that kept the mosquitoes at bay. I plopped down on a zero gravity chair in the middle of our deck, pushed back on the arms, and came face-to-face with a stunning, cloudless sky.

I can’t remember when I’ve seen stars so bright.

My plan was to catch the end of the Perseid meteor shower that started a few days earlier, so I settled into the chair, adjusted the pillow underneath my head, and made myself comfortable....

Week 34 – When women get together, here’s what happens

As the summer comes to a close (slowly, I hope ), I wanted you to know that there are only 3 spots left in the October “Self Care by the Sea” retreat.

This week I’m revisiting the blog that shared a bit of what happened during our maiden voyage back in April. Here’s what women talk about when they spend a weekend together.

The first “Self Care by the Sea” retreat held at the Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine was a beautiful maiden voyage. Fifty-five women from around the US, ranging in age from 3...

Week 33 – A lesson from the Registry of Motor Vehicles

I’m replaying a popular blog and I hope you enjoy it!

~*~

This week I had an opportunity to visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) – the office where you get your driver’s license renewed every five years. Before you read on, though, stop for a moment and notice the thoughts associated with a visit to the RMV.

Okay, now read on…

My license expired last November on my birthday and I’d been remiss in getting it renewed. Now and then I’d make a mental note to go, but then promptly forget abo...

Week 32 – The Trouble With Telling Tall Tales.

While making tea this morning, my cat Poupon got quite upset when he didn’t get his usual treat.

We share a ritual. When I add almond milk to my tea, I always mix a teaspoon with a bit of warm water and give it to him in a little dish. He looks forward to it and gets all excited as soon as I turn on the teapot.

At least that’s the story I tell myself.

Last night I forgot to soak almonds and therefore couldn’t make any milk for my tea or for Poupon. And, as soon as he discovered that he wasn’t...

Week 31 – Finding hope for our future in a restaurant in Maine.

It happened in an eat-in-the-rough restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine. My friend Melissa and I had just ordered our meal when a boy walked into the room balancing a large tray on his shoulder. It was covered with several plates of food.

A family of five behind us was about to get their dinner.

As the boy stooped down to slide the tray onto the serving stand, a heaping plate of onion rings shifted and the whole tray went crashing to the floor.

Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating.

The family...

Week 30 – When gratitude makes the heart stronger

I spent this morning at the hospital with my dad who had a heart attack last week. He’s been blessed with nearly a year of good health thanks to kidney dialysis, and this is the first major setback he’s had since.

While I lean toward green juice, exercise, acupuncture, and a variety of alternative approaches to healthcare, I thank God for the advances of modern medicine. It was miraculous to see my dad go from what seemed to be the brink of death to living independently again.

This morning, a...

Week 29 – Simple pleasures you might be missing

I’m immersed in final edits on my book and enjoying the pleasures of summer. I’m valuing the simple things – watching a favorite movie on television, playing fetch with Poupon, (our cat who thinks he’s a dog), sleeping with the windows open so I can hear the owls hooting at night, and taking photos and videos of the animals that come to visit.

If you missed the video I posted on Facebook last week of a doe and her new fawn, you can watch it here. It was awesome!

I’ve been tracking the little...

Week 28 – Stop settling for crumbs.

Use your voice.
Speak up.
Tell your truth.
Stop settling for less.

These are some of the messages woven into my book, The Art of Extreme Self Care. This past week, I had an experience related to these messages that touched me deeply.

After a long drive, I arrived thirty minutes early for a medical appointment on Thursday afternoon. I pulled into the lot, parked my car, and closed my eyes to rest before going in. A few minutes later, I opened them to see a beautiful young woman standing outsid...

Week 27 – What if this is it?

It’s a holiday weekend here in the states and I thought I’d send a popular blog written in 2013. Enjoy!

On Thursday night I was sitting on the deck at sunset with my husband, Michael, when a ruby-throated hummingbird came for a visit. He flew to an orange hibiscus flower next to where we were sitting, had a little snack, and then hovered directly in front of us for at least thirty seconds.

I held my breath. I stared into his little eyes. Michael and I slowly turned and smiled at each other as...