Dear Friends,

If you’ve purchased a copy of our new movie, Try It On Everything — a documentary about the healing powers of the “tapping therapies” that treat things like anxiety, panic, overeating, insomnia or the pain that comes with losing someone you love, please write to us and let us know what happens once you learn and practice the technique. We may even share your story with our community (with or without your name). To learn more about the film and to watch the trailer visit here.

If your use our Nourishing Lavender Lotion, please take note that the price is going up to $29.95 in next week’s newsletter due to a cost increase from the manufacturer. The lotion is wonderful and can be used on your body and your face as a hydrating moisturizer (it’s an 8oz bottle so it’s a huge savings at both prices). Take advantage of the current $24.95 price this week by visiting here.

Have a great week…

Love,

Cheryl

p.s. – Need a little Divine Direction? Use the “Touch of Grace” button on our homepage here: http://www.cherylrichardson.com.

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.

That will be the beginning.”

–Louis L’Amour

Topic of the Week – Graduation

It’s that time of year when many of us will be attending graduation ceremonies for friends and family members who are celebrating the successful completion of school. Each year at this time, I share a version of the commencement address I’ve delivered to both high school and college seniors over the years. Whether you’re graduating, know someone who is, or feel as though you’re moving on to a new phase in your life, I hope these lessons come in handy…

Dear Class…

For the last fifteen years I’ve worked as a coach helping people to create great lives. I’ve guided artists, entrepreneurs, corporate employees, or moms and dads through the process of identifying their goals and crafting an action plan, and then I’ve held them accountable for taking the actions that will improve the quality of their lives. I’ve learned a lot about what makes for a great life – a life that honors who we really are – our values and most treasured priorities. And I’ve learned about what gets in

the way.

Today I’d like to share 7 lessons with you in the hopes that it makes a positive difference as you set out on the next exciting phase of your life.

1. Spend more time on the who than the what. What you do will always be less important than who you become. Knowledge is great but it will never take you as far as your courage, your integrity, your reputation for someone who keeps his or her word, or your commitment to be of service to others in an important way. As you go through life, you will face challenges and obstacles. When you do, get in the habit of asking yourself the following three questions:

How can I grow from this experience?

What qualities of character am I being called to develop?

How can I use this event to make me a better human being?

2. Follow your heart. Pay far more attention to what *you* think than what everyone else thinks. The most important relationship you’ll ever have is with you. When I think about the regrets I’ve heard from adults over the years, the biggest ones always have to do with listening to everyone else but themselves. Start now. Make your own rules and follow them. At the end of your life, the most important person you’ll have to please is you.

3. Develop a strong “maverick muscle.” Be willing to bend the rules, learn how to disappoint others gracefully, get comfortable with people not liking you, and always strive to be an original thinker. I have a little sign in my office that says: “No Guts, No Glory” and I use it to remind me to go against the grain whenever necessary. Allow yourself to be the unique spirit that you were meant to be. Trust me. Your willingness to rock the boat will set you apart from 95% of the people you meet

throughout your life.

4. Build your courage muscles. Starting tomorrow, practice doing one small thing a day that frightens you. Learn to water ski, ask someone out on a date, go for that promotion you keep dreaming about, or learn to dance. Small acts of courage strengthen your ability to take even bigger leaps later on like deciding to write your own book or run for political office. If you really want to build your courage muscles, take a public speaking course. Twenty years ago I allowed someone to drag me to a Toastmaster’s Meeting — an international speech club — and it changed the course of my life forever. Courage builds confidence and confident people rarely settle for

less.

5. Don’t go to the hardware store for milk. When you’re excited about doing something new, make sure you turn to those people who will encourage you to take a chance – the ones who believe in you rather than those who will tell you why an idea won’t work. Surround yourself with positive people – the kind of people who challenge you to reach beyond your fear rather than play it safe. There will always be people telling you why an idea is risky, or why you can’t do something. That advice is usually based on the mistakes they’ve made or the chances they didn’t take because they were afraid. Always remember this: Someone else’s past does not equal your future. When faced with a naysayer, smile, say thank you, and turn around. Stick with positive people who believe in you. Remember, if you needed milk, you wouldn’t go to the hardware store.

By the way, you’re mom was right. You *do* become who you hang around with. Choose wisely :).

6. Live by this mantra: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t give up when things get hard and don’t ever let anyone or anything put limits on you.

7. Stay connected. Your use of technology — email or instant messaging for example — will never replace the value of a live connection with someone you love. Every now and then pick up the phone and call a friend or visit a loved one rather than send an email or text message. Too often I’ve seen technology draw a wedge between people. When we come to the end of our lives, it’s who we loved and who loved us that matters most. Make “in-person” time for those that matter.

Finally, at the time you were born you were given an amazing gift – a gift that most of us forget about as we grow older. It’s the power to design your own unique life. You are an artist. The canvas is your life. From this moment on, take ownership of this gift and use it wisely. If you do, your life will become an extraordinary work of art. Congratulations!

~*~ Take Action Challenge ~*~

If this wisdom speaks to you, think about one lesson you might incorporate more fully into your life now. Also, if there’s a student who might benefit from this wisdom, pass the newsletter along as a graduation gift. Then cross your fingers in the hopes that they take it to heart :)

In the News

• Have a question for Cheryl? Call in during her live Internet radio show, Coach on Call, on Mondays at 5pm ET (2pm PT, 10pm GMT) at www.hayhouseradio.com. Simply dial (866) 254-1579 if you live in the US, or for international callers dial, 1-760-918-4300 after your country code. Cheryl discusses a variety of topics related to practicing Extreme Self Care and living a high quality life.

• We have a variety of unique life-changing gifts in our webstore at www.myextremeselfcare.com. You can have books personally signed for you or a loved one with a note of encouragement or support, include a hand-written gift card with your order, or find a special item to support your own self-care. There are heart ornaments, books, audio programs, lotions, and our popular Mesmerizing Oggz Egg (you need to see it to understand :). Check them out here: www.myextremeselfcare.com.

Life Makeover For The Year 2008 (sm) is written and produced by Cheryl Richardson. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: cheryl@cherylrichardson.com. © Copyright 1999-2008

Cheryl Richardson, P.O. Box 13, Newburyport, MA 01950. All rights reserved.