The Unmistakable Touch of Grace: How to Recognize and Respond to the Spiritual Signposts in Your Life

by Cheryl Richardson

Book Overview

Dear Friend,

Twenty years ago, I made a decision to wake up and alter the direction of my life. This set in motion a series of events that proved to me there are no coincidences. Every event we experience and every person we meet has been put in our path for a reason. When we awaken to this fundamental truth, we begin to understand that a benevolent force of energy is available to guide and direct our lives. I call this energy the unmistakable...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743226534
• ISBN13: 9780743226530
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Helps You Begin to See Grace at Work in Your Life

Cheryl Richardson defines "grace" as "a kind of spiritual intelligence, a form of energy that comes from the Divine Source. This energy is available to each and every one of us at any moment. When we connect with and trust this Higher Power and follow its lead, we step into alignment with a larger vision for our lives." In "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace," Richardson reveals the ways in which grace has touched her own life, as well as the ways we can open our own lives to this power. Grace is always available to us. A free gift from God, we merely need to open ourselves to its influence. We need to be awake and alert to see grace at work in our lives. As we surrender our lives to God, we will become more aware of the ways God is shaping our path and helping us to fulfill our life's purpose. Richardson encourages her readers to keep a journal to help them figure out what is and what is not working in their lives. Each chapter in this book concludes with an activity to do in this journal, providing a self-help course right within these pages. She insists that such a journal need not be limited to written words, but may also include photographs, drawings, or meetings with friends. Whatever works to help you become more aware of your life is welcomed here. Richardson also emphasizes that grace often works through other people in our lives. She suggests taking stock of our relationships. Both those who support us through thick and thin and those that challenge us have something to bring to our lives. "Sometimes the people who have the most powerful effect on our lives are the ones who cause us the most pain." Every conversation can become an opportunity for growth. In addition, she encourages us to trust our inner gut, because that is where God speaks to us. Through prayer and meditation, we can come to center our lives, and become more aware of the steps God wants us to take. Richardson acknowledges that opening ourselves up to grace will not always be easy. There will still be pain and disappointment. There will be times when the way will not always seem clear and we may end up in a place that we did not expect. God and God's grace will not steer us wrong, however. Ultimately, if we open ourselves up to God's influence, we will be exactly where we are meant to be. Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is editor of The Spiritual Woman Newsletter [...]

Recognize The Power Of Grace

"Have you ever considered that events that were painful, disappointing, or unfair may have occurred to nudge, or perhaps even shove you in a more positive direction?" -Cheryl Richardson According to life coach and bestselling author Cheryl Richardson, grace is a kind of spiritual intelligence that flows from Divine Source. It is available to everyone, and as we step into this flow, we become aligned with a larger vision for our lives. Our awareness increases, and we suddenly become aware of signs, symbols, and messages that leads us to our higher good. The Unmistakable Touch Of Grace shows us how grace knocks on our door in a variety of ways. When we begin to see situations and people with spiritual eyes, we notice how grace sustains, nurtures, protects, and guides us. Richardson shares many compelling and profound examples of grace from her own life as well as from friends, colleagues and clients. By awakening to the presence of grace in life, she promises readers that anxiety, fear and uncertainty about the future will gradually be replaced with the comfort and security of knowing: * You are not alone * You have a higher purpose for your life * You have what it takes to face any life challenge * You are a student in the school of life * You have the peace and happiness you desire already within you One way grace touches us is through what Richardson calls "spiritual change agents". These are the people who raise our level of consciousness in some way, as well as support our spiritual progress. While loving and empathetic individuals may ignite grace in our lives, the author reminds us that challenging and difficult relationships do so as well. What could look like rejection from one point of view could very well be protection when seen through the eyes of grace. She goes on to describe the effects of grace-such as a profound awakening to beauty and evolving to new levels of wisdom-and how grace introduces itself in work, relationships, and quietude. We are challenged to search for the evidence of grace, and each chapter ends with several experiments designed to help us recognize the power of grace in our own life. Becoming a "spiritual scientist" will alter our view of the world forever, and dramatically increase our ability to see the influence of grace, she asserts. We are invited to "dance" with grace, which includes partnering with a Higher Power, surrendering to the "music", and trusting Diving timing. Also at the end of each chapter is a resource section of books, audios, and websites to help further spiritual exploration. I found this book so timely and encouraging that I'm beginning to read it again--from the beginning--committing to do the experiments and journaling exercises at the end of every chapter. In a world often marked by cynicism, religious disenfranchisement, self-imposed isolation, anxiety, information overload and spiritual disconnection, The Unmistakable Touch Of Grace is a brilliant beacon of inspiration and hope

I Am So Jealous

I'm sorry, I just finished this excellent book and I know, I know, jealousy takes me off my path. But I too, am a relatively successful author who has oft wrestled with this same subject. However, Cheryl has expressed it in a far superior and appealing form as it makes that essential point: Embrace the changes, twists and unplanned turns in your life and see the grace and flow in them. Wonderfully thought through, beautifully written. This book will float to Heaven. Darn!

Richardson's Best Book Yet!

What struck me the most about Cheryl Richardson's new book, "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace" was Cheryl's willingness to courageously invite the reader inside her own challenges, questions, struggles and triumphs. Never before have I seen an author of her stature open up so completely about the significant moments in her life, and the people/events that ignited them. In her signature down-to-earth style, and through a series of experiments, Cheryl helps us heighten our own sense of awareness and expand our consciousness so that we can be sensitive to the moments of grace and spiritual change agents in our own lives.