We interviewed Cheryl Rice. Wondering (1) What do you think of this new format for our Student Spotlights and (2) How wise is Cheryl Rice? It’s no mistake that we publish her post on a day that celebrates love.
What drew you to PP/CAPP?
I’ve always been a “possibility chic” – someone who delights in contributing to the flourishing of others. This past September, when my youngest child went off to college I decided it was time for me to go back to school too. And as luck would have it a week later I bumped into a friend who was enrolled CAPP. Her enthusiasm for the program was indeed contagious. As a leadership and life coach I had read many positive psychology books and followed Martin Seligman’s work closely. Looking at the CAPP curriculum, I was quickly smitten with the opportunity to take my learning to the next level and to be part of a positive community.
The preface of your book speaks of how you helped your mother die. Wow. Where else do you find meaning and purpose?
I find meaning and purpose anywhere I chose to find meaning and purpose. That’s not to sound glib but rather to highlight something I learned when my mom was dying – that there is life, learning and meaning everywhere and anywhere we choose to harvest it. That said I also find meaning and purpose when I engage in an authentic conversation, perform a random act of kindness, or champion and inspire others. Certainly working with my clients provides big time doses of meaning and purpose. What a privilege to be invited into another person’s life – especially during tender times of transition and yearning. To be in conversation around what Dawna Markova refers to as our “sacred hungers” is truly a gift.
What advice do you have for people in grief?
Grief is a beast. Especially if we think we can tame or avoid it. I learned that I wasn’t in charge of my grief. Better to invite it in and treat it with reverence. Also, be exquisitely patient and gentle with yourself. Tend to your body as much as your soul. Reach out. Accept and ask for hugs. Consider a ritual (for me it was reciting a specific poem every day for a year) to stay close to your loved one. Oh and dark chocolate, of course.
What advice do you have for people looking for love?
Oh my goodness…what a question. Okay…As you know I didn’t get married until I was 41 so I spent a lot of years looking for love albeit mostly in the wrong places. My advice (and this is the kinda thing that would have made me crazy to hear when I was single) is to focus less on looking for love and focus more on 1. Receiving love that is available in the present moment, 2. Showing up with love for who and what you can right now. 3. Reminding yourself every day that you are whole, lovable, and worthy.
What is your purpose statement?
My business purpose is to inspire women to claim their authentic leadership voice.
My overarching life purpose is to live with and inspire authenticity, beauty and connection.
What is your vision for life with a CAPP added to it?
Purposeful. Potent. Passionate.
We are so fortunate of love and life in our current CAPP Philadelphia class. Learn more about Cheryl here. And consider joining us for the next cohort which begins in March! You can be friends/colleagues with Cheryl and many other purposeful, potent, and passionate people.
<Spotlight contributed by Louis Alloro, M.Ed., MAPP>