The Unmistakable Touch of Grace [Hardcover]

Cheryl Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2005

In The Unmistakable Touch of Grace, New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Richardson takes readers on a spiritual adventure that awakens them to the power of grace.'Every event we experience and every person we meet has intentionally been put in our path to help us lead more fulfilling lives', says Cheryl - and once you learn to view your life from this spiritual perspective, the smile you receive from a stranger is no longer a random event, the call you get from an old friend is no longer a surprise, and the failed relationship that left you broken hearted is no longer a source of bitterness and pain. Instead, it's seen as a blessing in disguise, a gift that makes you stronger, more conscious, and ultimately, more alive.In her most personal book to date, Cheryl takes readers on a journey that will open their hearts and minds to the power of grace. Using inspirational stories, provocative experiments, and striking examples from her own life, she helps readers recognize that: There is a power force of energy available to lead you in the right direction. When you surrender and allow grace to lead, the right doors will open. Everything does, in fact, happen for a reason.?You are surrounded by 'spiritual change agents' - people who have agreed to take on roles that support your spiritual evolution. Rich with amazing stories of how grace has shaper her life and the lives of others, The Unmistakable Touch of Grace gives readers the inspiration and vision to see the 'hidden' miracles that occur in their everyday lives.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In The Unmistakable Touch of Grace, bestselling author Cheryl Richardson (Take Time for Your Life and Life Makeovers) moves away from advice about tangible topics, and shares with readers her twenty-year journey of discovery about how the benevolent energy of the Universe, which she calls "the unmistakable grace" works to shape our lives and guide us towards our ultimate spiritual destiny. According to Richardson, there is a Higher Power that has our best interest at heart and uses grace to guide us to better understand the Divine Plan. The goal of this book is to help readers become more aware of how grace touches their lives, and to teach them to be able to better recognize the touch of grace and to surrender to it so that "the right doors will open to support you in fulfilling tour life’s purpose."

There are no coincidences, Richardson writes. Everything and everyone we experience comes into our lives for a reason and are ‘blessings in disguise." Understanding those reasons and viewing life from a spiritual perspective is at the heart of her message. In addition to revealing personal examples from her own life, Richardson shares many other stories to reveal how grace can make dramatic, positive differences in our lives once it is perceived and surrendered to. To aid the reader in those steps, Richardson provides a wealth of exercises at the end of each chapter. She calls such exercises experiments, and encourages readers to perform them with others so that everyone involved can witness their dramatic effects on each other. She also provides additional resources that readers can use to further their self-discovery.

With The Unmistakable Touch of Grace, writing in a style that is both warm and informative, Richardson joins the ranks of other inspirational authors such as Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle, with a work that is both provocative and empowering, and a very useful resource for anyone who desires to increase their awareness of the seeds of miracles contained in everyday experiences.

From the Author

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 touch of grace.

This book tells the story of how grace has transformed my life as well as the lives of others. While some stories may seem unbelievable, all of them are true. As you follow the journey, you'll start to see the influence of grace in your life, too. And, once you've finished, the way you view your life (and the people in it) will be changed forever. Many blessings, Cheryl

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 2nd Printing edition (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743226526
• ISBN-13: 978-0743226523
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cheryl Richardson is the author of The New York Times bestselling books, Take Time for Your Life, Life Makeovers, Stand Up for Your Life, The Unmistakable Touch of Grace and her new book The Art of Extreme Self Care. She was the first president of the International Coach Federation and holds one of their first Master Certified Coach credentials. Cheryl is also the recipient of the 2000 Motivational Book Award for Life Makeovers from Books for a Better Life, which honors the year's most outstanding books and magazines in the self-improvement genre. Her book, The Unmistakable Touch of Grace, was chosen as a finalist in the 2005 Spiritual Inspiration category for Books for a Better Life.

As a professional speaker, Cheryl has designed and presented programs to universities, Fortune 500 companies, educational conferences, and professional associations. Her work has been covered widely in the media including The Today Show, CBS This Morning, New York Times, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, and O Magazine. Most recently, Cheryl has been a regular guest on Good Morning America. She was the team leader for the Lifestyle Makeover Series on the Oprah Winfrey Show and she accompanied Ms. Winfrey on the "Live Your Best Life" nationwide tour.

Cheryl served as the co-executive producer and host of "The Life Makeover Project with Cheryl Richardson" on the Oxygen Network and as the co-executive producer and host of two Public Television Specials - "Stand Up for Your Life" and "Create an Abundant Life."

You can check out Cheryl's radio talk show -- Coach on Call -- on the Internet at www.hayhouseradio.com. The show airs live on Mondays at 5pm ET (2pm PT) and is replayed throughout the week. You can also find her Facebook Fan Page facebook.com/cherylrichardson and follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/coachoncall.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal and transformative experience, January 31, 2005

By 

O. Brown "Ms. O. Khannah-Brown" (Twopeas, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Unmistakable Touch of Grace (Hardcover)

*****
Cheryl Richardson's latest book, "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace" is different from her other books in many ways. It is extremely personal; she says that she has shared personal stories from her life more in workshops than in her books in the past. This one is very honest and transparent---and all about grace.

I think that she wrote this book to wake the reader up to the presence of grace in all of our lives---grace from a Higher Power. She manages to write the book outside of religious traditions, so that whatever your religious beliefs, I think you will find that the concepts can be easily applied without offending. Cheryl's own spiritual path as an adult began with Al-Anon, and continued through different spiritual groups and orientations, some of them Eastern. I found that her experiences in Al-Anon were representative of spiritual awakening in general, no matter where it happens. She found much richness in various Eastern groups, but again, the concepts are universal. It seems that she takes great pains to make the book open and accepting for people of all or even no faith.

I think that a person who believed in any Higher Power would find much about grace, mindfulness, silence, forgiveness, etc. to apply to their life. If you are a strong believer of any faith at all it will strengthen your faith. Also, though, if you are a reader who has no faith in any Higher Power whatsoever, I can imagine that you would still appreciate the author's journey as good food for thought.

Throughout the book there are very short and simple exercises (mostly ponderings on thoughts and questions) to enable the reader to have an encounter on some level with grace. I think that's the best part of the book---that it delivers to the reader a profound experience of a sometimes illusive spiritual concept. This is not just a book ABOUT grace. When you finish the book, you will have EXPERIENCED grace. For this reason, I think the book really delivers.

When I first ordered it from Amazon, I was a little disappointed in the price for the much lower quality paper and printing (although it is a hardback book, the paper inside is mass market paper). However, after I read it, I know I got my money's worth. I loved the book, loved feeling like I am safe and cherished in the Universe no matter what things might happen to me (even painful things and suffering), and am very glad I read it. I can't imagine anyone else not feeling the same way...

*****

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recognize The Power Of Grace, March 7, 2005

By 

Janet Boyer "Author, Blogger, Radio Host" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unmistakable Touch of Grace (Hardcover)

"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. Richardson shows us that grace isn't reserved for mystics, monks, or saints but may be received, recognized, appropriated, and imparted by everyone. Her humility, candor, and enthusiasm are refreshing. I get a strong sense that Richardson is someone who walks her talk, rather than a teacher who admonishes "do as I say, not as I do." And, quite frankly, this sense of integrity is one of the most refreshing elements of The Unmistakable Touch Of Grace.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helps You Begin to See Grace at Work in Your Life, December 1, 2005

By 

Patrice Fagnant-macarthur (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unmistakable Touch of Grace (Hardcover)

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 [...]