Cheryl Richardson's Blog, page 52

Week 16 – Why you need to be a gutsy girl.

This morning, while out for a walk, I listened to a Tim Ferriss podcast interviewwith Caroline Paul, author of Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure.

Caroline was one of the first female firefighters in San Francisco and she’s led a pretty adventurous life doing everything from fighting fires to paragliding and scaling mountains.

During their conversation, Caroline talked about how important it is to encourage young girls to take more risks. Studies show that from an early age...

Week 15 – This message might just save a life

Last night Michael and I had dinner with friends and during a discussion about dealing with unexpected crises, we discovered that both Michael and our friend, Greg, had the experience of saving someone’s life using the Heimlich maneuver in a restaurant.

I remembered I’d written a blog about it so I could share what to do should you find yourself in the presence of someone choking (I hope you never do).

I took our discussion last night as a sign to share this experience and resource with you a...

Week 14 – The Day I Starred In My Own Music Video

This week I accomplished a goal I set two months ago.

At the beginning of the year, in a moment of insanity, I decided to join a Crossfit gym. Crossfit is a workout program that combines a variety of functional movements like pull-ups, squats, push-ups, and gymnastics performed at high intensity.

I joined because I wanted to up my fitness level. I wanted to challenge myself to go way beyond what I thought I could do at my age. And I wanted to do it with others to avoid the isolation I often f...

Week 13 – Finding hope in dire circumstances

Happy Easter . Today’s blog is an old favorite about the miracle of resurrection. Enjoy!

A month ago, Michael and I had thirty trees planted in our yard and as soon as they were in the ground, birds began to build nests. I was so excited to find a robin’s nest in the pine tree behind the barn, an oriole’s nest in the Norway spruce at the bend in the driveway, and a tiny wren’s nest in the juniper tree by our front door.

Every day, as I left or entered the house, I would carefully peek into th...

Week 12 – What to do when you worship at the altar of efficiency

Every now and then I have a moment of clarity when I suddenly see myself in a way that promotes change.

Yesterday I had one of those moments.

After enjoying a leisurely morning to myself, I decided to get dressed and go to the post office to mail a few packages that had been sitting on my desk all week long. I wanted them off my mental to-do list so I could feel more spacious and relaxed.

I’ve been busier than usual lately and craving space. For the last two weeks my days have been filled wit...

Week 11 – Hope And Healing For Those Who Are Grieving.

Today is one of my favorite times of the year when we turn the clocks ahead and enjoy an extra hour of light at the end of the day.

It always feels like a sunny invitation to emerge from the dim world of winter.

The critters seemed to have received the invite, too. As I lay here on the back deck staring up at the big, blue sky, I see two red-tailed hawks making lazy circles above my head.

And the birdsong. My goodness. I wish you could hear the chorus of chirps and coos, tweets and caws that...

Week 10 – The day I met an angel in disguise

I’m sitting in the airport lounge waiting for my flight home. It’s a sparkly, blue-sky day, sun shining, and scattered puffy clouds.

Perfect weather for flying.

It’s been a wonderful weekend and as I think about heading home to spring with Michael and our friends, I’m having one of those ‘I feel so grateful I could burst’ moments.

Dreaming of gardens, hummingbirds and lazy afternoons, I notice a waitress clearing a table nearby. Our eyes meet and I nod my head and say hello. She approaches, l...

Week 9 – Soap dispensers, duvet covers, and computer shortcuts.

I delight in small things. While I’m a little embarrassed to tell you this story, I like sharing the things I learn that make life easier.

Besides, I know we all have our moments.

This week I called our plumber, Chris, to come to the house to fix our leaky kitchen faucet.

I love Chris. He’s a dad of three adorable kids and he works hard to support his family. He always goes above and beyond the call of duty to take good care of his customers.

Prior to Chris’ arrival, I pulled out everything u...

Week 8 – Downton Abbey, housecleaning, and the benefits of aging

Today I’m practicing a ‘housecleaning meditation.’

Gathering tablecloths and shaking out crumbs.

Washing the antique punch bowl and tiny, jewel-like glasses lent to me by a friend.

Stacking gold chairs covered in soft, white cushions.

Sweeping floors, vacuuming rugs, wiping counters clean.

All done with presence.
A passion for order.
And gratitude for an evening wrapped in magic.

Last night Michael and I hosted a Downton Abbey dinner in honor of a woman whose commitment to service makes me we...

Week 7 – A Valentine for the weary

I’m on a plane heading home after teaching in Seattle. It was a full-on, fun weekend and in lieu of writing a new blog, I’m sharing a poem by one of my favorite poets, John O’Donohue.

This poem, which I’ve shared before, captures so well the journey of coming home to oneself – a Valentine’s Day gift indeed.

Sit back, take a slow, deep breath, and let John’s words flow through you like a warm, summer breeze. And if you haven’t read any of his books, please do. I especially love the one called,...