Cheryl Richardson – Miraval Magic – Wisdom For A Better Life

Photo by Charles Bush

I’m heading back to Miraval in a little over a week to teach my last retreat with Louise Hay.  As I was going through my files preparing for our time together, I found notes from our first retreat.  They represent the simple wisdom Louise has lived by – wisdom I’ve been applying to my own life with great success.

I hope you’ll use them, too!

• Give problems minimal energy.  Problems come from nowhere and they return from whence they came unless you put a death grip on them.
• Develop a loving relationship with the objects around you.  The next time you take a shower, for example, affirm:  “It’s such a pleasure to take a shower.  I am grateful for the people who designed and built this shower. The water feels so good and my life is blessed.”
• Make friends with a mirror.  The single, most effective way to eliminate negative self-talk while at the same time strengthening your relationship with yourself is to do mirror work every day.  Each time you look into a mirror, affirm:  I love you (fill in your name).  I really, really love you. You look so beautiful and you have the best smile. You are my ideal woman (or man) and I love you dearly.

Miraval Magic: Wisdom for a Better Life

I’m heading back to Miraval in a little over a week to teach my last retreat with Louise Hay.  As I was going through my files preparing for our time together, I found notes from our first retreat.  They represent the simple wisdom Louise has lived by – wisdom I’ve been applying to my own life with great success.

I hope you’ll use them, too!

Give problems minimal energy.  Problems come from nowhere and they return from whence they came unless you put a death grip on them.

Develop a loving relationship with the objects around you.  The next time you take a shower, for example, affirm:  “It’s such a pleasure to take a shower.  I am grateful for the people who designed and built this shower. The water feels so good and my life is blessed.”

The Thank You Game

I love this time of year and I’m always excited to announce the “Thank You Game,” during Thanksgiving week here in the states.  Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, saying “thank you” to the people in your life is not only a wonderful way to bring some unexpected kindness to others, it’s also a way to share the wealth of gratitude and to feel the power of connection.  Showing your appreciation is like shining a bright, nourishing light on a beautiful flower – people open up and smile. So here’s the plan. The object of the “Thank You Game” is to find a creative and inexpensive way to thank or acknowledge those people in your life who often get overlooked.  Here are some examples of what you might do… Send a “thanks for being a great mom or dad” card to a busy parent and acknowledge them for contributing to humanity in a powerful way. Offer thanks to a military family in your community. You could send a small gift of gratitude, help out with work around the house, or offer to take someone to lunch. Some of these folks have been away from their loved ones for months and months and they could really use your kindness. Speak to the boss of an employee who has provided you with exceptional care and let the boss know how great you were treated. Send a thank you card to someone who would least expect it like your auto mechanic, lawyer, accountant, dental hygienist, or doctor.  If you own a deck of Grace Cards, Self-Care Cards or Daily Affirmation Cards, include a card, too.  Trust me, you’ll make their day!

Life Review: Inventory your success

Every year at Week 26, I like to invite you to stop and reflect on the positive changes you’ve made in your life so far. After all, the quality of your life is directly related to the quality of relationship you have with yourself.  When you feel good about who you are, you allow better things – people, experiences, jobs, opportunities, etc., into your life. Taking the time to inventory your positive changes is an important step in developing this stronger relationship.  And it’s a key way to reinforce good habits.

If you’ve been in our Life Makeover community from the beginning of the year, you might want to review this year’s newsletters to help you remember the changes you’ve made. You can review past newsletters by visiting our archives here. If you’re new to the community (welcome!), take some time to answer the following questions:



1. How have you grown this year?  Are you more confident, less apt to tolerate inappropriate behavior, or more courageous?


2. What positive changes have you made to your environment?

 3. How are you taking better care of yourself?  Your body?  Your mind? 

4. What have you done to protect your sensitivity? 

5. Have you been able to disappoint people gracefully in order to honor your needs?

6. Are you starting your day in a whole new way? 

7. How have you been a better partner, spouse, friend, or co-worker?