007: A chat with Cheryl Ann Williamson.

3/21/2014

Rumi said, "Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”

I met someone who allows exactly that with her life. Meet Cheryl Ann Williamson, and be inspired by the beautiful, botanical, artistic themes of a life well lived.

Master Gardener + Instructor at Common Threads' World Garden
Retired Art Instructor of the Chicago Park District
Certified Tree-Keeper, Herbal Therapist + Permaculturist
Ceramic Artist + Horticulturist

10 Comments

Linda Williamson

3/21/2014 07:47:32 am

Cheryl is truly a gifted, talented and beautiful person. I am blessed to have her in my life!

Erika Harris link

3/21/2014 08:29:21 am

Hi, Linda. I absolutely agree with you about Cheryl's giftedness, talent and beauty!

Jason Faber

3/21/2014 08:06:51 am

Everything Cheryl is and does comes from her heart. We love her and enjoy her works of art (which we have in our home).

Erika Harris link

3/21/2014 08:35:19 am

Hi, Jason. All that heart-power... no wonder her gardens grow so well :-)

Maryann Barnett

3/22/2014 06:46:00 am

Hi! I am a friend of Linda and a CPS paraprofessional

Erika Harris link

3/23/2014 05:28:01 am

Hi, Linda! Pleasure to hear from you, and thanks for dropping by!

Wisdom Seeker

3/23/2014 06:13:05 am

Thank you for sharing this fascinating interview with the world. Your guest, Cheryl Ann Williamson, is a tremendous beacon whose brightness will continue shining for generations -- not only through the children who have been fortunate enough to be taught and nurtured by her, but also through the rest of us who greatly appreciate all that she has done.

I would love to be able to purchase one of her ceramic pots with a plant from her garden inside. I hope that there are some for sale.

Thank you again, Erika, for today's nectar.

Erika Harris link

3/23/2014 01:32:41 pm

Hi, Wisdom Seeker. Thanks very much for your supportive comments! I checked with Cheryl Ann, and learned that she doesn't make pots for plants but, she does have a few plates with leaf impressions from her garden.

Allison

2/9/2015 07:16:12 am

Erika,

I am going to interviewing Cheryl for my graduate program in Sustainable Urban Development. After listening to your podcast, I am now more excited to speak with Cheryl. Thanks for sharing!

Erika Harris link

2/11/2015 09:56:59 pm

Allison, I love the sound of your program, and think it's great that you're interviewing Cheryl! She's the best. It'd be great to read or hear your interview, so please feel free to share a link here whenever it's ready. Best wishes to you!

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An Existential Journal

The question "How are you?" is PROFOUND.

But it has been watered-down to a synonym for "Hello."

Forced or fake auto-responses of obligated okay-ness are expected.

(And if you are going through something tragic, it really doesn't matter! Every social encounter OPENS with this well-established Ritual of Insincerity.)

The question "How are you?" prompts an answer that begins with "I AM _____________."

This means many times each day, you are invited to SPEAK THE MOST POWERFUL STATEMENT that can be spoken of yourself.

And the socially-expected thing to do, is be QUICK + SLICK with your answer.

For a change... TAKE YOUR TIME, and tell your truth. ✍🏾