Finding Gratitude Through the Storms of Life
Hello, my radiant ladies! 🌟
Are you ready to make 2025 the year you reclaim your health, vitality, and zest for life? It’s time to leave behind the frustration of fad diets and inconsistent progress. I’m Sharon, your 75-year-young holistic weight loss and lifestyle coach, and I’m here to guide women over 50 into their most empowered, joyful, and healthiest selves. Together, we’ll break free from the yo-yo dieting cycle and embrace a natural, sustainable approach to weight management.
With over 25 years of experience helping women transform their lives, I’ve curated a toolbox of simple, yet life-changing solutions. Whether it’s understanding the role of gut health in weight loss, discovering the joys of “rucking” (walking with weights!), or harnessing the incredible health benefits of everyday lemons, I’m here to share the tips and tricks that have helped countless women shed menopausal belly fat and gain confidence.
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⏰ Get Up, 💃 Get Dressed, 🏞 Get Out, and truly live the life you deserve.
Let’s recapture the spark you had when you woke up energized, dressed with confidence, and embraced every new day with excitement. It’s time to build lasting, healthy habits, cross off bucket list adventures, and rediscover the joy that comes with loving your revitalized, zesty self.
Let’s dive into this journey together because the best years of your life are still ahead. 💖
As I sit down to write this, I’m struck by how life’s challenges and joys intertwine, how the hardest moments can lead us to unexpected strength, and how gratitude often shines brightest when everything else feels uncertain.
Thanksgiving is upon us, and like many of you, I’ve been reflecting on what gratitude truly means this year. It’s been a year of both immense difficulty and profound growth for me. I’d love to share a bit about my journey and the lessons I’m carrying into this season of thanks.
A Holiday After Loss
This year, I found myself standing in a place that held memories of someone I loved deeply but lost too soon. Visiting a cherished holiday spot without them brought a mix of emotions. There was grief, yes, but also an odd comfort like their spirit lingered in the familiar corners.
At first, I questioned if I should even go. Would it hurt too much? Would it feel empty? But instead, it felt like healing. It reminded me of how deeply our loved ones imprint themselves on the places we share. Though they aren’t physically there, their presence remains in ways that comfort and surprise us.
If you’ve faced a similar moment, I hope you allow yourself to feel all the sorrow, the joy, and everything in between. That’s where the healing begins.
Holidays Away From Family
For those of us spending this season far from family, the holidays can feel like a stark reminder of what’s missing. I’ve been there too, navigating this strange in-between where joy and longing coexist.
What has helped me is finding “chosen family” in those around me. It’s not about replacing anyone but about building connections with the people who show up for you whether it’s sharing a meal with coworkers, joining a local community event, or even having a heartfelt phone call with an old friend.
Sometimes, traditions aren’t about where you are but who you’re with and this year, I’m leaning into that idea.
Rebuilding Friendships and Finding Connection
I recently moved to a new town, and let me tell you, starting fresh is both thrilling and daunting. I’ve been working on building friendships that feel authentic connections where I can be my full, unfiltered self.
At first, it felt overwhelming, like navigating a sea of unfamiliar faces. But I’ve learned that true connection comes when you lead with vulnerability and authenticity. I started joining local groups that matched my interests, book clubs, volunteer efforts, even a quirky crafting meetup. Slowly but surely, I’ve started finding “my people.”
If you’re in a similar boat, I encourage you to embrace the small steps. A smile, an invitation, or even just showing up can create ripple effects you never expected.
Facing a Community Torn by Hurricanes
My heart has also been with those in my community rebuilding after a devastating hurricane. Driving through streets lined with debris and homes battered by the storm has been sobering. Yet, in the midst of this, I’ve seen acts of kindness that take my breath away neighbors helping neighbors, strangers showing up with food and supplies, and people finding hope in the rubble.
It’s a reminder that even in destruction, we can choose to focus on what we can rebuild. If you’re facing a storm of your own literal or figurative-know that resilience isn’t about doing it alone. It’s about leaning on others and finding strength in the shared struggle.
Anchored by Gratitude
What keeps me grounded through all these ups and downs is gratitude. It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong, what’s missing, what’s hard. But each morning, I take a moment to jot down three things I’m grateful for in my planner. Some days, it’s big things: a breakthrough at work, a meaningful conversation, a moment of clarity. Other days, it’s as small as a warm cup of coffee or a quiet moment of peace.
This practice has been my anchor, helping me focus on what’s good, even when life feels chaotic. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it shifts your perspective, giving you the strength to face it with a little more grace. It reminds me that even on the most difficult days, there’s something to be thankful for, a sliver of light breaking through the clouds. Over time, these little moments of gratitude add up, weaving a thread of hope through even the darkest seasons.
I’ve learned that the power of gratitude isn’t in the size of what you’re thankful for but in the act of noticing it. When you take time to acknowledge the blessings in your life, you give them space to grow. They expand in your mind and heart, creating a ripple effect of positivity that touches everything else. So, as we approach this season of thanks, I encourage you to try this practice for yourself. Whether it’s in a planner, a journal, or just a mental list, write down the things you’re grateful for, and watch how they transform your outlook.
Your Stories Matter
As I share pieces of my journey, I want you to know that your stories inspire me too. Every email, every comment, every reply reminds me of the resilience and beauty in all of us. When you share your challenges and victories, it’s a reminder that none of us are alone in what we’re facing. Your words are a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit, and they give me so much hope, especially in moments when I feel uncertain about myself.
This Thanksgiving, let’s commit to finding gratitude in our own lives however messy, complicated, or imperfect they may feel. Let’s hold space for the things we’ve lost, the challenges we’re facing, and the connections we’re building. And let’s remind ourselves that gratitude isn’t just about looking back; it’s also about looking forward with hope.
Together, we’re creating a community of support, understanding, and growth one email, one story, one moment at a time. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your presence here makes all the difference, and I hope my words give you even a fraction of the encouragement you’ve given me. This holiday season, I’m especially thankful for you.
Wishing you a warm and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving,
With gratitude and hope
Your Zesty Friend & Mentor,
Sharon North Pohl 🌸🌟
P.S. If you’re looking for a planner designed to support not just your productivity but your mental and emotional well-being, check out [Our Zesty Planner]. It’s more than a tool, it's your partner in resilience
