Dear Friends,

Mark your calendars! This month, I’m excited to announce that Louise Hay will be joining us for our July telegathering on Monday evening, July 28th at 9pm ET. This is a rare opportunity to meet a true pioneer in the self-help field. You can find more info here.

This week we’re running a special in our webstore on our “Practice Building Program” for those of you who own a service-oriented business (coach, therapist, lawyer, massage therapist, etc.). We’ve received lots of great feedback about the program including the following email this week from Nicola in England:

“I just wanted to thank you for your “Practice Building Workshop” programme that I recently bought. I have only listened to 2 of the CDs so far and already am so pleased that I bought it. It really is a wise investment!! As well as being truly inspirational you give so much sound practical advice and I also love listening to the comments from the audience (and always identify so well with what they’re saying!).”

For one week, the 8 CD, comprehensive program will be priced at $199 — a $50 savings. During the summer, it’s not unusual for service-oriented businesses to slow down a bit, and it’s the perfect time to invest in the growth of your company. You can learn more about this program here.

Have a wonderful week…

Love,

Cheryl

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

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

Topic of the Week – Being a Good Steward

Every morning I wake up, make a cup of tea, and sit on the deck in my back yard to journal and enjoy the beauty of nature. I am fortunate to have a yard that is frequented by a variety of animals and birds — deer, turkey, fox, heron, hawks, and even an occasional owl or two. As the months go by, I find myself more and more connected to nature as a result of this daily ritual. And, sitting at the edge of such beauty, I feel an even greater responsibility to do what I can to protect the environment.

While I worry about the state of the planet, I do my best to stay focused on what I can do to help make things better. I’m always looking for new ways to be a more responsible global citizen. If you are too, I offer you the following three things to consider…

1. Find motivation through inspiration rather than fear. Inspiration comes from spending time in nature. Whether you live in a bustling city or the middle of the country, find a spot that feeds your soul and let it encourage you to care for your corner of the world. When I see the gentle face of a deer, the majesty of a hawk circling overhead, or the strength of a tiny flower pushing up through the soil, I feel an almost maternal urge to protect it from harm.

2. Stay updated and educated about “going green.” Body & Soul Magazine is a great resource for this kind of information. The next time you’re in a waiting room, browse through the headlines of magazines and look for one new thing you can do to make a difference. Then, share the idea with at least one other person, too.

3. Turn “I’ve been meaning to do that,” into “done.” Have you started using cloth bags when shopping? Do you turn off your computer at the end of the day to conserve energy? Have you switched to green cleaning products or increased the number of items you recycle each week? We all have good intentions and yet we all lead full and busy lives. It’s important to remember that one committed action is worth more than fifty great intentions. Pick one thing you’ve been meaning to do and make it stick this week.

I’d be the first to admit that I’m not perfect and that there’s much more I can do to protect the environment. Because it can feel overwhelming sometimes, I like to stay focused on the little things that ultimately make a big difference when we all participate — shutting off lights, eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat, leaving the car in the garage when a bike will do, or sharing recycling information with the local companies we do business with. Caring for our planet (and its inhabitants) is a wonderful project for us to rally around and I invite you to join me by doing the “Take Action Challenge” below.

~*~ Take Action Challenge ~*~

This week, choose one new thing you know you could do to care for the planet and put the strategy in place. Use energy saving light bulbs, challenge your family to use less water, reduce junk mail, or support a local, organic farm. Make it a family game and encourage each member to come up with a new idea. Before you know it, these new actions will become habits — a natural way of living in the world and we’ll all be better off because of it.

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.