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Cheryl Richardson and The Power of Encouragement

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A Nostalgic Journey with Cheryl Richardson

I recently had the pleasure of revisiting a pivotal chapter of my life at a delightful event hosted by Cheryl Richardson. Held at the Circles of Wisdom in Methuen, Massachusetts, Cheryl’s talk on the “Wisdom Years” took me back nearly 15 years to when I first met her during a transformative period in my life.

Flashback to Movers and Shakers

Fifteen years ago, I attended an insightful event hosted by Hay House in Boston called “Movers and Shakers.” At the time, I was on the cusp of a major career shift. As a web guy working for Cisco, I was just six months away from enrolling in my first coaching program. I had no books, no clients, just a burning desire to make a meaningful impact on the world.

At this event, I met several inspiring figures, including Cheryl Richardson, Hay House CEO Reed Tracy, and, to my amazement, Louise Hay herself. One pivotal part of the event was a contest offering a radio show and a book deal as prizes. Although I felt unprepared for such an opportunity, at the urging of my fellow “movers & shakers,” I decided to submit a video entry. To my surprise, I was named a runner-up and received a coaching call from Cheryl.

The Encouragement That Ignited My Journey

During our coaching call, Cheryl and Louise Hay shared a piece of wisdom that changed my trajectory. They pointed out that while I didn’t have a concrete offer or package to present, my presence on camera was powerful and magnetic. Their advice was simple: keep making videos. This encouragement has stayed with me through the years, fueling my passion for creating impactful content.

The Evening with Cheryl

Fast-forward to the present, and I found myself back at Circles of Wisdom, absorbing Cheryl’s insights yet again. I didn’t check the event theme beforehand; I trusted that it would be valuable. To my relief, Cheryl’s talk provided meaningful guidance that I could connect with, and I was among a diverse audience that included both men and women.

Cheryl remembered me, but true to her longstanding practice, she declined to take a picture with me. This brought back memories of a time when she took a picture of me and Larry the Lizard, a character from a book project of mine. Although Larry the Lizard didn’t dominate the world as I envisioned, it’s one of the many fulfilling endeavors I’ve pursued.

Fasting Reflections and Upcoming Workshop

Additionally, I’m currently on a fasting journey as part of a program called WildFit. On the third day of fasting, the program advises against driving and thinking, which contrasted with my packed schedule. I’m nearing the end of an 86-hour fast, and though my math skills are foggy at this moment, I’m excited to break the fast tomorrow.

Lastly, I invite you to join me on May 30th at Circles of Wisdom’s new location, where I’ll be teaching “The Seven Ancient Mystery Schools.” It will be an experiential class focused on energy and personal experiences, without the pressure of tests or notes. If you’re interested, visit circlesofwisdom.com for more details.

Conclusion

Reflecting on tonight’s event and my personal journey leaves me filled with gratitude for Cheryl Richardson’s lasting impact. Her encouragement years ago still resonates with me, driving my passion for creative endeavors. I hope to see many of you at my upcoming workshop for a fun and enriching exploration of ancient wisdom.

Be well and stay inspired!

 

And here is the video I made long ago that resulted in Cheryl Richardson and Louise Hay saying, “Do more!”

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and is a high-level initiate of the Modern Mystery School.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the host of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we as human beings can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Downsizing and New Beginnings

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Downsizing and New Beginnings: The Joy of Letting Go

The past few months of my life have been a whirlwind of boxes, moving trucks, and emotions as my wife and I downsized and relocated. Moving out of a house we had called home for 24 years into our new, more compact abode was no minor feat. We went from 3,200 square feet to 1,160 square feet, which is quite a change!

Facing Career Challenges:
This past April, I was laid off from my position at Cisco Systems, a company I’ve been part of, on and off, since 1999. Once part of a team of five, my role managing online video dwindled down to just me before I was let go. While the layoff was a shock, it also served as a catalyst for change. I learned once again that no matter what accolades are given in the corporate world, you are ultimately dispensable.

My wife, Lori, was caught up in the Steward Healthcare bankruptcy debacle, and the hospital where she worked closed in August.

Embracing Downsizing:
Initially, the idea of downsizing felt like a reversal of the American dream; it seemed like a step back. However, as we began to give things away, rather than feeling sorrow, I felt a surprising joy. Seeing our furniture find new homes was heartwarming and liberating. It wasn’t easy to let go of certain mementos, like my Metallica concert shirts, but the freedom that came with fewer possessions was incredibly uplifting.

Our economically forced downsizing needed a lot of synchronicity to pull off. We needed to find a new home to pay for in cash as unemployed people aren’t known for getting mortgages. We found a 55+ community in Gardner Ma that had two lots left. The timing and people fell into place, with a couple of weeks in a hotel to bring a new adventure for us and our dog and cat.

Finding Freedom in Simplicity:
I’ve experienced different living situations throughout my life and realized that I find happiness in simplicity. Now, in our new home with a smaller footprint, life feels refreshingly unencumbered. Our one-and-a-half car garage, while not what we initially wanted, has saved us from holding onto unnecessary items, further simplifying our lifestyle.

The Joy of Letting Go:
This forced downsizing was enriching, far more enjoyable, and exciting than I had anticipated. I am genuinely thankful for the layoff because it forced me to release attachments that no longer served me. By owning and embracing change, rather than resisting, my wife, my pets, and I found liberation and new beginnings.

Conclusion:
I want to share a key lesson: be open to change, embrace it, and take control of your life. Challenges might seem daunting, but they often present opportunities for growth and renewal. As we navigate the ups and downs, the more control we take, the smoother our ride will be.

Be good to yourself, and remember that change can lead to unexpected joy.

 

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and is a high-level initiate of the Modern Mystery School.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the host of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we as human beings can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Taking a Big Leap | SkyJump

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Ending 2022 With A Big Leap

While in Las Vegas for a wedding last month, I jumped at the opportunity to take an 855′ leap from The Stratosphere tower on the strip. I wasn’t nervous at all until I saw someone do it. The time from the 3, 2, 1 countdown to me moving felt like a very long moment. The SkyJump was more thrilling than any ride I’ve been on and even more than parachuting. The only time I did that was a tandem jump, so taking that first/last step wasn’t up to me. You can see the video of my SkyJump here:

Here’s the view from the ground, shot by my wife.

One thing that hit me, which I couldn’t put into words right away, was the difference between taking that leap into nothingness for fun versus taking a jump for my demise. On the SkyJump, my nerves vanished once I jumped from the platform, and I experienced joy, thrills, and fun. Nothing in my being communicated that this was a bad idea. I felt completely safe, even though I had no idea how the mechanism that would slow me down worked. I didn’t even ask about it.

I’ve also had the experience of standing atop a building, believing I wanted to die, and trying to get myself to take a much less fun jump. At that moment, everything in my body and energy was saying don’t take this step. There was tremendous resistance, fear, and trepidation. I ended up calling a suicide support line for the first time.

While plummeting through the Vegas night, full of adrenaline and joy, it struck me how fearless the experience was. There was no concern or desire to go splat on the ground. I felt safe and alive, thrilled to be alive.

Whereas in my attempted doom jump, I couldn’t get myself to take that one step into nothingness. I hated myself then, judging myself as weak and pathetic, but looking back, I was safe in a very different way. My better aspects wouldn’t let me take that seemingly one small step.

The first half of 2022 was a dark crucible. I didn’t feel fully alive until July. I knew I wanted a year-end celebration. The SkyJump was a Leap of Life for me. A victory lap for all I had persevered through. I will never forget it and hope to do it again.

I wish you your own Leap of Life this year, a celebration of you and all you have made it through.

If you are in crisis and contemplating any sort of doom jump, please text or call 988 for immediate support. https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

 

Be well,
Andy

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, The Modern Mystery School, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we, as human beings, can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Auric Region Series Healing

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My Experience with a new healing, Auric Region series.

I first shot a before-and-after video when I received my Life Activation in January 2016. Now, it’s become a staple whenever I have a new healing experience. This week I had the first of ten sessions making up the Auric Region Series from the Modern Mystery School. Several mystery school healers I know learned this modality in November, and all raved about how powerful it was, even after only receiving shortened versions of it in their training.

The word that kept showing up for days to describe how I felt was clean. I still feel very clean and expansive five days later.

I’ll be doing one session per week for ten weeks. I don’t expect to post something each week, but I certainly will at the end of the series.

This holiday season, be sure and give yourself a gift too. It might be an item you’ve long desired, an experience, or some quiet alone time. It is entirely up to you. The point is, do not neglect the most important person in your life; you!

This holiday season, be sure and give yourself a gift too. It might be an item you’ve long desired, an experience, or some quiet alone time. It is entirely up to you. The point is, do not neglect the most crucial person in your life; you!

I also share this because, as a healer, I never stop healing. As a coach, I never stopped being coached. As a teacher, I never stop being a student. If you are ever looking for a coach, healer, mentor, or teacher, be sure they continue to receive and grow. You would never pick a dentist who wasn’t a patient of another dentist or see a doctor who thought they were beyond seeing other doctors.

Be well,
Andy

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we, as human beings, can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Photo by RKTKN on Unsplash

“You’re Just Like Your Father!”

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Did you hear, “You’re just like your father!” often when growing up?

Was it ever meant as a compliment? Was it always a put-down? Was it said sarcastically, with anger, with love…?
Being told we are just like our father was rarely meant to be a good thing for many men I’ve met.

My parents got divorced when I was five years old and it was very acrimonious. My mother didn’t say many good things about my dad. In times of frustration, where my mother and I were butting heads the most, she would sometimes say, “you’re just like your father.”

I clearly remember when I was about seven years old, my grandmother once remarking that I stood like my father. I recall being momentarily stunned, not sure how to receive that. Was it okay to be like my dad? Was she pointing out something wrong about me? And, how did she even know my father? I had no memory of them together.

That was one of the rare bits of evidence that my parents did indeed have some background. I had no memory of them together, hadn’t even seen wedding photos. I had to take their word for it that they were ever married.

Sometimes my dad would say “That’s my boy” with a bit of pride

But the times I heard that the most were when I was in trouble, acting out as a kid, or dealing with depression. It was a very mixed message.

When I first shared this video on Facebook, other men commented that “Like father like son” was another phrase they heard and not as a compliment. Guys said they didn’t like these comparisons when they were growing up, but they choose to take them as compliments as adults.

Many men shared the experience of meeting people later in life who thought their fathers were great guys. I remember how moved I was at my father’s memorial service when so many of his friends told me what a supportive man he had been for them.

Regardless of what other people said, are you comfortable being like your dad?

Can you see the best in your father?

I recently interviewed someone who does an astounding job of that.
Listen to Real Men Feel – Regular Guy Chat with Billy at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Watch it on YouTube.

Or right here, right now.

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. He also facilitates monthly men’s groups and is a contributor to the GoodMenProject. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we as human beings can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Photo by Harika G on Unsplash