Three Moments That Changed My Week: Beauty as Soul Sustenance

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Monday, 03 August 2026

Written by Cheryl Richardson

Three Moments That Changed My Week: Beauty as Soul Sustenance

“Discover how noticing everyday beauty nourishes the soul and keeps you strong.” ~Crystal Wind

Three ordinary moments. A cat on a kitchen island. A garden after rain. A fawn dancing across a field. What if these weren’t small things at all — but exactly the sustenance your soul has been waiting for?

Read Time: 3 min |

“The amount of beautiful things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.”

I saw this message on Instagram last week, and for some reason, I decided to print it out and keep it on my desk. It’s always wise to have little reminders nearby that help us gather moments that feed the soul and sustain us through life’s challenges.

The first thing I noticed after printing out the message was how my cat Berty’s eyes matched the antique gold candlesticks on the island in our kitchen. When I walked out of the office, he was sitting next to them, tail wrapped neatly around his front paws, eyes straight ahead staring at something I couldn’t see, lacy whiskers upright and on alert. Cats are such regal creatures, I thought to myself, a perpetual source of beauty. I made a mental note to hang onto this image.

Nasturtiums — Three Moments That Changed My Week by Cheryl Richardson

Later in the week, after heavy rain, I went into the garden to clean up the mess and noticed that my nasturtium plants had exploded in the storm, drinking in the extra water and overtaking their beds. The flowers were bigger than I’d ever seen, and I cut several — pale yellow, bright orange, soft peach — to put in a vase on the kitchen windowsill. Every time I went to the sink, I stopped to breathe in the stunning sunset of colors. Another infusion of good, I reminded myself.

On Friday, while driving home with my friend Jodi after lunch, we were blessed with a remarkable experience. Traveling down a back road, Jodi commented on how rural the area was just as a fawn lept out of the brush on the right side of the road and crossed into a field on the left. I slowed down so we could take in the sight, only to witness this young one dancing across the field, leaping in circles as she went. We sat in stunned silence, letting the experience settle in. We’ll always remember this moment, we both admitted as we continued on our way. A blessing indeed.

“Beauty is energy, and there’s an endless supply at your fingertips if you simply remember to notice.”

What sustains us through tumultuous times? How do we stay centered, strong, and able to contribute to life in meaningful ways? For me, it’s beauty. These images, experiences, and moments are the gems I gather in my spiritual pocket because they give me the sustenance I need to carry on despite the pain and suffering of the world.

I hope these examples inspire you to keep an eye out for your own gifts. Beauty is energy, and there’s an endless supply at your fingertips if you simply remember to notice.

Love,
Cheryl

Author

Cheryl Richardson For the last twenty-five years I’ve dedicated my life to the practice of self-care because it’s good for people and it’s good for the planet. From personal experience, as well as coaching a diverse group of clients, I’ve come to understand that when we care deeply for ourselves, we naturally begin to care for others — our families, our friends, the environment, and the whole world — in a healthier and more effective way.
Please email: . © Copyright 2024. Cheryl Richardson, P.O. Box 13, Newburyport, MA 01950.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is presented for educational and informational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the contributing author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CrystalWind.ca, which makes no claims regarding the accuracy of any content herein.