Cheryl Richardson on the power of beauty

It’s spring, with its extra light, new leaves, flowers, and baby birds and animals — the ideal backdrop for a message about beauty.

Maybe I can describe Cheryl Richardson as being a key figure in the personal development movement. In any case she often has something wise to say. She worked closely with Louise Hay, for those of you who remember her.

Cheryl has written several books, including one about self-care for women, but given she’s now 66, she often writes about age or what she calls the ‘wisdom years’.

She recently posted the short piece below, along with footage of a hummingbird at the feeder at her house. She lives in Massachusetts where the leaves are starting to fall, but regardless of the season, she’s encouraging us to be present to the beauty around us. We can get sucked into the awfulness of what’s in the news or notice something beautiful. Our choice, and the second one is infinitely healthier.

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 ending, lying still against the black tar of the road. And, of course, there’s the beauty of cats. The spontaneous racing through the house when I least expect it makes me laugh every time. Or the rumbling of purrs against my chest as I struggle to write with a cat on my lap.

Beauty is a powerful force of energy. A painted sky at sunset can stop a crowd in its tracks. The clashing waves of a wild storm will do the same. The first smile of a newborn who looks like an old soul in a new body will have everyone in the room — regardless of their beliefs or affiliations, cooing in unified delight. Yes, beauty unites.

I often think of beauty as the language of the soul, calling us back to where we have the most power and compassion. When you find beauty, it’s a clue that you’ve found the present moment, and you want to do your best to stay there. That’s because humans who are grounded in the present moment are not easily triggered by world events. They are less impulsive and reactive, better able to think and act clearly in a storm.

Be sure to let beauty grab you, pull you close, and infuse you with the peaceful power you need to do good in your little corner of the world.

Photo Source: Kay Hannaford