Stepping off the Eurostar from Paris to London, my feet touch the pavement at St. Pancras International Station and I am home. I feel it in my bones. Ancestors breath pulsing through concrete flooring. My deceased Dad of 11 years whispering my name, “Sharon Anne, my wee ShaSha, we’ve more to discover.” It’s a paradox…
Author: Sharon Heaney Richards
SoulStroller, writer, poet, mom, wife, home chef, dual citizen and lover of books, art and travel. Many years of exploring the globe contribute to my ability to navigate and engage in the world with a sense of ease and anticipation. I am a pilgrim at heart and love to explore new landscapes, language and culture. As a former teacher (Bachelors of Education, University of British Columbia) I'm a curious learner and avid listener to both young and old.
You can also find me at SoulStrolling.com
and my first poetry book, Thresholds and Portals here: http://amzn.to/2nxRGas
now my second poetry book - if one can imagine such things https://www.amazon.com/dp/1096110229
The Other Side Academy, Salt Lake City, Utah
“Practice the art of attention and listening.” Phil Cousineau Sometimes, I am the recipient of incredible opportunities. Visiting The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of those. TOSA has an innovative and visionary approach to working with men and women “who have hit rock bottom…who now want to learn a better way…
Questions, Culture, Dancing: Bangalore, Port Blair, Havelock Island – November, 2017
“She’d like to know if she can ask you a few questions?” Arjun, my travel guide, Bangalore Walking Tour, remarks. “Absolutely.” A women, cross legged on the floor, sits behind a small hill of flowers; their bright colors and smells flooding my senses. Arjun becomes our translator, seamlessly weaving between Kannada and English. Her first question:…
Étretat, Arromanches-les-Bains, Anguerny: Normandy, France, October, 2017
“Étretat is becoming more and more amazing. Now is the real moment….” Claude Monet, February, 1883. My soulstrolling pal Kayce Hughlett prompted our weekend adventure from Paris to Normandy. Following her intuition, we found ourselves driving through the countryside from Trouville/Deauville to Étretat on a Friday evening in October. A mutual friend adores Étretat and recommended…
Suspending time: Paris, October 2017
“Y-a-t-il plus belle façon de suspendre le temps?” Is there a better way to suspend time? Oh how this phrase strikes a chord within. My heart’s been missing Paris. Alisha Wielfaert was in Paris recently and referred to the city as her “soul’s home.” This is true for me. For some, time feels suspended simply by…
SoulStrolling and Savoring in the 9th and 18th Arrondissements, Paris, October 2017
“C’est un rayon de soleil dans votre assiette.” It’s a ray of sunshine on your plate. My taste buds and Paris have an ongoing love affair. I recently spent the month of October soulstrolling and savoring Paris. Home was an airbnb on Rue D’Orsel in the 18th, (close to Sacre Coeur) with 3 weeks spent walking…
Paris: Language School, L’Atelier 9, October 2017
“I’m following the thread. When you listen to your soul, pay attention, who knows where your ‘soles’ may lead.” This was a journal entry of mine from April 2015. I’ve been following the thread of my love for Paris since I first strolled her streets and stood atop the Eiffel Tower: summer, 1985. What a…
Mother/Daughter Adventures: Tarragona, Spain, May 2017
Tarragona surprised me with roman ruins, a stunning cliff top Mediterranean view, modern art, and pastel colored buildings. We arrived via train from Barcelona. Our airbnb host advised us to follow the signs from the train station to the ‘mechanical steps.’ “Oh,” I remarked to my daughter, “it’s a series of escalators,” which took us…
Mother/Daughter Adventures: Barcelona, Spain, May 2017
“Everyone agreed to this, and that was how the adventure began.” C.S. Lewis “Fancy a SoulStrolling journey with me?” I asked my eldest 25 year old daughter about 7 months ago. “Absolutely,” was her reply. Spain was her request: Barcelona, our first destination. I adore travel (not so much the jet-lag) the planning, packing, wandering, exploring,…
Party in a Bowl
In February, 2017, I had the pleasure of participating on a yoga retreat with 8 limbs yoga at Haramara Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico. Every other night, water ‘disappeared’ from a beautiful clay bowl placed on the path just above our casita. This poem flows from that time. Enjoy. Daily, the light brown clay bowl on the path…
Cherry Blossoms
“Your poems are like sketches,” remarked a friend the other day. If I could sketch the way this blossom makes me feel, with words, that would be truly magnificent. Her petals unfurling in the spring air light my soul with a smile. Childhood memories surface: summer forts, my backyard home, hours of pretend in the…
“Allow presence and awe to come back into your life.” Brendon Burchard
“In all the chaos and hurry, do not forget to notice the beauty and miracle of this world. Slow down. Notice. Observe. Be aware. Allow presence and awe to come back into your life.” Brendon Burchard This quote strikes a chord in my heart. Even deeper than my heart. It touches something in my soul…
Sharon Richards 