Cheryl Richardson's Blog

Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday by giving myself the gift of presence. I woke to a sunny, winter cold day, enjoyed breakfast with a purring cat nestled in my lap, and spent time writing about the last year and my intentions for the next.

As words filled the page, I could feel myself sink into the moment and into a kind of alignment with life that felt good. From this peaceful, centered space, I wrote:

When I come here to write, to spend time with myself, to listen more deeply to what wants ...

Who is this woman slicing lemons and placing them in a fancy water pitcher as she prepares for a dinner party with friends? I laughed out loud at the thought as I set the table, adjusted the lighting, and placed fresh flowers on the island next to the serving area. Since when did I become a chef who likes to entertain?

I’ve been working for as long as I can remember. I started at sixteen selling Pendleton suits in a small boutique near our home, and later learned bookkeeping at a concrete compan...

I opened the cabinet door, reached in, and pulled out the porcelain mug with a hand-painted hummingbird on its side. I miss you, Ileen, I said to myself as I unwrapped a teabag and placed it in the last gift she gave me before she died. Then, as the kettle warmed the water, I stared out the kitchen window and allowed my mind to meander through memories. Sunny mornings in my office drinking English tea and discussing the latest books we were reading. Looking up the symbolism of the animals that v...

The topic came up again, the third time in one week, so I knew to pay attention. “What exactly is a midlife crisis?” a colleague asked. “And does it always have to be difficult?”

When I look back on my midlife days (which, to me, were my early fifties), I have such compassion for the woman who felt unsettled. Really unsettled. I knew change was on the horizon because I was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with life. I was starting to realize what I no longer wanted (too much time away from hom...

I’ve just returned home from a 3-day getaway with my sisters in the Berkshires of Massachusetts where the autumn colors are in vibrant full bloom. On the morning of my departure, our cat Wednesday, recently diagnosed with asthma, had a coughing spell that made me nervous to leave. My husband assured me that he’d take good care of her and I knew I could trust him. Michael has a gift for transmitting comfort during difficult times. His energy can bring a boil to a simmer in seconds and I had no do...

I stood up slowly, the remains of tea and breakfast balancing on a tray in my hands as I made my way to the kitchen. When I turned to straighten a pillow on the chair behind me, I spotted my cat Wednesday asleep on the ottoman by the window. I watched as the early sunlight rose across her face, illuminating the delicate veins that ran through her ears. She’s so precious, I thought to myself as I turned to leave the room.

Walking down the hall, I felt a subtle collapse of my chest. My heart open...

I still remember the elevator ride, butterflies doing somersaults in my chest, lips so dry my tongue felt like sandpaper. I wasn’t prepared. And I was always prepared. But this time was different. I was headed up to the Royal Suite at the InterContinental Hotel in Toronto to meet with Louise Hay. We were scheduled to discuss a book we’d write together about her life and our work, and we agreed to meet without an agenda. This is one of the things I loved most about Louise. She trusted Life. She k...

I woke with one cat curled around my left shoulder and the other pressed against the crook of my right leg. I felt the warmth of their bodies and the gentle pulsing of their breathing, and felt so grateful that I could simply lie there and take in the joy without needing to rush anywhere.

This got me thinking about what I love most about my wisdom years. I say “my” because I recognize that the wisdom years look different for everyone. Some of us live a hybrid life that allows us to work and play...

I woke at sunrise to find a veil of mist floating above the reservoir behind our home. Translucent clouds drifting over steel gray water, slowly vanishing in the rising amber light. It’s moments like this that make life bearable these days. Beauty in the midst of madness.

Each day, I do my best to find joy wherever I can. A tiny goldfinch trading seed with a friend at the feeder. A heron floating through the sky, her long, graceful wings effortlessly moving air. An autumn leaf aflame in its endi...

On Friday afternoon, I had lunch with two elderly neighbors at a local diner, where I was invited to try the best fish chowder around. They were right, the chowder was delicious and the conversation even better.

Both neighbors, now in their mid-eighties, know a lot about our town, its history and politics, and they had plenty to say about the changes they’ve seen over the years. They didn’t mince words, and I liked that. While it was obvious we didn’t agree on everything, it didn’t matter. We ke...