I’m just popping by to check in on you. So many people I know are grappling with challenges and loss right now. I know there have been many heartbreaking things happening in the world. 

You may be dealing with personal grief, illness, or sadness. You may be feeling helpless for the people in the midst of war. You may be scared about climate change or gas prices or that pain in your knee.

You may be afraid and uncertain and unsure about so many other things in life. 

I know. I feel it, too. I am holding a lot of loss. 

I just want you to know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

If you listened to my LoveGram on Sunday, you will remember that I told you about how I just scrolled through all of the names of every one of you who are in this Simply Celebrate community.

I wanted to see you. I wanted to hold you in my heart. I wanted to send you some love. 

I relish the connection. 

💥💓💥

If you missed Sunday’s LoveGram, you can listen here. 

Personally, I needed to remember that listing people we care about or everyone we’ve ever met, is a way to align our hearts with thankfulness. 

Try it yourself, whether you are feeling up or down! It is a beautiful way to remember that no matter what, we are a part of a web of love. 

It really helped me to connect to you and to feel that abundance of love. 

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I’ve been saying this like a broken record, because I know this is true: we must not let ourselves be flattened and overwhelmed by grief and fear. We have to find ways to take care of ourselves and to hold our center. 

It’s imperative that we find our way to simple joys, to loving people in our lives, to being grateful for what we have, so that we can fuel ourselves to ask the big question to the world, “How can I help?” 

If you need some uplift or energy, I encourage you to find someone or something to love. 

Or, you can close your eyes right now and imagine me giving you a great big hug and saying softly, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” 

I love you and am cheering you on, always. 

Thanks for who you are.

💥💓💥

You can stay steady here on earth, feeling all of the 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows.

You can hold it all.

You are strong. 

Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,

xo Sherry 

✨ P.S. If you missed the latest “Hard Stuff Is Okay” conversation I had with my friend and fellow coach, Shawn Buttner, you can watch it here. 

✨ P.P.S. If you are in a good place and have some beautiful energy today, I hope you will consider reaching out to someone in your life who may be feeling lost, lonely, or grieving. A simple phone call, greeting card, or text can make a huge difference in someone’s life! 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

Thank you for being here with me. 

You encourage me to keep looking for and talking about ways that we can experience the world with as much love and meaning as possible. 

I feel your love and energy across the miles. 

I appreciate your light. 

I love our connection. 

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Today’s LoveGram started outside, in this quiet neighborhood where my mom lives in Ohio. 

Right before I stepped outside to record to you, I had spent some time scrolling through the beautiful list of your names. 

Every once in a while I love to take the time to see you, each of you, by reading your names. 

It connects me more deeply to you. Even if we have never met in person or talked on the phone. Even if I do not know what your beautiful smile looks like. I feel our kinship and our connection. 

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Our conversation today is about that intentional connection. 

I want us all to remember that even if people are far away or have passed away, we can still feel the energetic connection to them. 

We can grieve people (and animal friends) who have passed away. We can also choose to love them deeply and to connect our hearts to them. I’m practicing how each of these feels slightly different — the loving, the grieving, the intentional connecting. 

Click here to listen. Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

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I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love — and for me. 

May you remember that you are always in conversation with everyone you love or have ever loved. 

We do not need to be in the same room to connect our hearts or to feel the meaning between us. 

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. I really love when I read through the list of your names and I see you. And you. And you. And you. It makes me feel nestled in a world of sweet love. 

I’m sending hugs and love your way today. 

And, I’ve got a simple gift idea for you, too. 

This gift is inspired by the 1970s, when I was a kid and there was a popular poster that declared, “Hang In There!” 

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Some of you may be old enough to remember these posters in the mall store that also sold black light posters and lava lamps. 

I looked it up and guess what? Etsy sells variations on it. 

If you know someone going through a challenging time, you can send ’em a poster, sign, or greeting card that might make them smile. 

Here’s a link to my “Hang In There” search. 

(I don’t know about you, but for me, simply seeing these variations on ways to “hang in there” lightened my spirit!) 

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You could also simply take a screenshot of the cat hanging on the branch in my artwork at the top of the page. 

Text that cat-in-the-tree pic to someone you know who may need a little boost. 

Sure, it is a small thing. But we all know that small gestures can have a big impact when we are feeling overwhelmed or exhausted by life! 

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Be the kind of person who doesn’t wait for a special occasion to share encouragement and love. 

Reach out today and lift someone’s spirit. 

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

✨ P.S. My friend and fellow coach, Shawn Buttner, and I had a live conversation earlier this week called, “The Hard Stuff’s Okay.” You can find the replay on YouTube. And, here is another “The Hard Stuff is Okay” replay from last month. If you or someone you know is going through a challenging time, listen in so you don’t feel so alone! Shawn started an email list to let people know when we will be having these conversations, sign up here if you want to be notified. 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

I am so grateful that you are here with me, week after week. 

I love that we are here through all the ups and downs of being human.

It means so much to me that we get to share in conversation together. I always feel connected to you on Sundays. Thank you for that. 

💥💓💥

Today’s LoveGram is about how we take care of ourselves when things are hard. 

Our little kitty, Poptart, died this week. She had mouth cancer and it was distressing to watch the disease progress. When eating became painful for her, we knew it was time to help her peacefully die.

She was euthanized by the same vet who has cared for her for many years. Dr. Wilson was so incredibly caring and compassionate. She was gentle, kind, and incredibly loving. It was a blessing to have Poptart be surrounded by so much love during her last moments. 

As you can imagine, it has been a heartbreaking week. 

In the midst of it, I had a conversation with a health professional, Brooke Erickson, who is a functional nutritionist. Brooke and I were talking about some basic self-care tips for caregivers. However, I was struck by how much we ALL need these health and self-care tips. Especially when we might be going through hard times, grief, or stress. 

My nervous system has been on overdrive this week and so I want to take extra good care of my physical self. 

Maybe you need this kind of self-care, too? 

I talk about this in today’s LoveGram. As well, if you scroll down below the signature, you can find the link to my conversation with Brooke, so you, too, can take good care of yourself. 

Click here to listen. Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

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I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love. 

After you listen to today’s LoveGram, see if you can practice one thing to take extra good care of yourself. 

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 Here’s a link to the YouTube video of Brooke Erickson and myself talking about some basic self-care and healthcare tips for caretakers. But this is good stuff for everyone. 

💝 P.S. We can let ourselves feel the hard stuff. We can also support ourselves, too. Here’s a link to sign up to receive notifications about times that fellow coach Shawn Buttner and I talk about  “The Hard Stuff is Okay.” 

💝 Don’t forget, as Ram Dass says, “We are all just walking each other home.”  You are not alone. I’m glad you are here with me. 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

I appreciate you so much for being here with me. 

You help me to show up and look for the pinpricks of light — even when the room feels the darkest. 

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Today’s LoveGram is being sent on Mother’s Day here in the United States. 

I am experiencing a big season of grief and loss right now. But at the same time, I can also feel such a tremendous well of gratitude in my heart for my wonderful mom and my amazing son. 

On the audio today, I talk about how essential it is when we are going through a hard time to lean into the places where the light and love are strong. 

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Mother’s Day can be a hard day for so many. If you are grieving your own mom or another mom you loved, if you are grieving a child or if your child is ill, if you are estranged from your mom or child, if you wanted to have children, but couldn’t, if you are a single mom who is exhausted, if you have any sadness associated with this holiday, I want to send you a huge hug. 

Anyone who is feeling sad or grieving today, I am thinking of you. 

If you are celebrating your own mom or your own child/children today, I also send you a huge hug. I hope you feel loved and celebrated. 

Please spend a few moments thinking about someone in your life who might be having a hard time. Reach out to them. Offer a few words of comfort. Let them know they are not alone. 

Holidays like this can be wonderful. They can also be filled with grief. I honor and love you, no matter what today is for you.

Click here to listen. 

Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

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I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love — and for me. 

We are all just walking each other home. (Thank you Ram Dass for this quote.)  

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. Mom, I know that you always read my Sunday LoveGrams. I want you to know how grateful I am to you for the countless ways you have shown me love. You are someone who finds joy in the smallest moments of life. I love that you taught me that. Thank you for who you are and the love and light you give everyone you meet. You are amazing! Sending you a big Mother’s Day hug. 

Thank you for being here with me. 

You encourage me to keep looking for and talking about ways that we can experience the world with as much love and meaning as possible — even when it is challenging. 

This has been a difficult season of life for me. I want you to know how much I appreciate your light and our connection.

💥💓💥

Today’s LoveGram is being recorded in advance for you. I’ll be facilitating a LOVE LIST workshop at a women’s retreat in Oregon. I wanted you to know I was thinking of you in advance. 

It supports me so much to be in these conversations with you. Thank you. 

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Our conversation today is about this sweet poem:

I want to write about faith,
about the way the moon rises
over cold snow, night after night,

faithful even as it fades from fullness,
slowly becoming that last curving and impossible
sliver of light before the final darkness.

But I have no faith myself
I refuse it even the smallest entry.

Let this then, my small poem,
like a new moon, slender and barely open,
be the first prayer that opens me to faith.

—David Whyte 

(Copyright 1990)

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Is there a place in your own heart or life where you want to open to faith? Can you allow that small, slender opening? 

Click here to listen. 

Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

💥💓💥

I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love — and for me. 

May you remember, always, the difference you make to everyone around you. And to me, too!   

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. That opening music is by Ludovico Einaudi. The piece is called “Experience.” 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

I love talking to you about things that matter. 

I love that we are here through all the ups and downs of being human.

It means so much to me that we get to share in conversation together. I always feel connected to you on Sundays. Thank you for that. 

💥💓💥

Today’s LoveGram is about an encouragement I received this week when I was feeling pretty low and sad. (I got laid off from a job I really really loved for many years. It wasn’t just work life to me; it was truly like family.)

My son’s dad offered an idea to me: what would it be like for you to identify with the person who is supporting the part of you who is going through a hard time? 

What a brilliant idea! 

I’ve been practicing this week being love for the part who needs it. It is such a profound experience to switch from “I’m really sad” to “What do you need, honey?”

Just to be clear, I’m not saying don’t feel your feelings! 

Let yourself be sad or confused or uncertain or mad. However, also see what it feels like to be the one to comfort that other part. 

For me, there is a gentle sense of empowerment and agency. I like thinking of ways to be kind and caring with the part who is having a hard time. 

I hope you listen in and find something in this audio LoveGram about this idea that speaks to you. 

Click here to listen. Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

💥💓💥

I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love. 

After you listen to today’s LoveGram, see if you can practice being love for yourself. 

Is there a part of you that needs a pinprick of light? Can another part give it generously and with sweetness and care? Try it and see what happens, okay? 

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. We can let ourselves feel the hard stuff. We can also support ourselves, too. Here’s a link to a video from a couple weeks ago about “The Hard Stuff is Okay.” 

💝 Don’t forget, as Ram Dass says, “We are all just walking each other home.”  You are not alone. I’m glad you are here with me. 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

Thank you for being here with me. 

You inspire me to show up each week. 

You encourage me to keep looking for and talking about ways that we can experience the world with as much love and meaning as possible. 

I appreciate your light. 

I love our connection. 

YOU MATTER!  

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Today’s LoveGram began with me turning on the recorder and realizing I had nothing to say. 

Blank mind. Blank page. (Thankfully, a full coffee cup!)

I turned the recorder off. I paused. I watched what happened. 

And as it always does, something arrived. I glanced down on my desk and saw a short verse/poem. 

Voila. 

Life said, “here you go.” 

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Our conversation today is about that little poem. 

Here it is:

I have a large seashell collection, 

which I keep scattered on beaches 

all over the world.

Maybe you’ve seen it. 

—Steven Wright

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We are talking about saving and hoarding and letting go. 

We are talking about walking outside and “owning” that willow tree in the park or the ducklings on the pond or your neighbor’s laughter from the backyard barbecue. 

What if we took a page from Steven Wright and “owned” the world? 

Click here to listen. Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

💥💓💥

I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love — and for me. 

May you remember that you are always in conversation with the world. Look around; what is speaking to you?  

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. That opening song is “Andmoreagain” by Love. The album is called “Forever Changes.” It was recorded in 1967. 

How are you, my friend?

I want you to know that no matter how you are, YOU ARE LOVED. 

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I’m thinking of you today. 

Whether I’ve met you or not, I know that you are a loving, kind, good-hearted person. I know that because you are here, wanting to connect to things that matter in life — people, love, friendship, sharing, simple joys. 

I hope you always remember that. 

If you are having a hard time, remember to reach out to someone and ask for help. It is hard to do, but oh-so-necessary. Also, try to look for a tiny pinprick of light — anything at all that brings you comfort. 

If you have lots of energy, please try to reach out to someone in your life who may be having a hard time today. 

Do you know someone who has recently divorced, is broken up, is ill, or is grieving a death of a loved one? Let them know you are there for them. 

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Last Sunday’s LoveGram was all about how we can contain multitudes, a phrase my friend Shawn always reminds me about. 

Our lives don’t have to be black or white, this or that. We can be filled with grief and still have room for love and light. 

We have space to feel and experience multiple things at once. 

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I’ve been a bit of a broken record about this over the last half year, and it is worth repeating: if you are experiencing any kind of loss or grief in your life, listen to “All There Is,” Anderson Cooper’s podcast.

In Sunday’s Love Gram, I talked to you about a recent episode with Sara Bareilles on All There Is. 

I want to share an excerpt with you. Sara says: 

“I feel very close to people’s ache and sadness. I find that really beautiful and moving and human. It’s why I write. It’s why I make music.

So I wouldn’t want to be far away from that feeling. But I don’t want to be in the fetal position all the time or not remember what it feels like to smile. I don’t want to be that person. That doesn’t feel true to me either.

I think that the learning from my grief … is that it’s such a beautiful teacher. To draw it close is to draw yourself closer.

And the sharing of grief is essential. You actually won’t move through it alone. You must find the courage to share it. And I think you’ll be surprised how medicinal it is in a really good way.”

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In this episode of the podcast, Sara also shares some music that she’s written about grief and melancholy.

One of my favorite Sara Bareilles songs has always been “Brave.” What she is doing right now is so courageous. She’s sharing her own journey with grief, with anti-depressants, with melancholy, with the human journey.

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I listen and re-listen to these episodes — especially when I wake up in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning and I feel scared by the depth of grief.

They bring me comfort and make me feel less alone. THIS is what Sara means when she says “the sharing of grief is essential.” 

Even if someone is not in the room with us or is speaking across time and miles on a podcast, it is a cord that ties our hearts together.

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If you have read this far, thank you. I’m grateful. Truly.

I’ve had a pile-up of loss and grief over the past number of months. Just last week, we got the heartbreaking news that our 16-year-old kitty, Poptart, has mouth cancer and there is nothing the vet can do for her.

Apparently it can get really painful really quickly and all we can do is LOVE HER as deeply and as fully as possible right now, for as many days or weeks as she has left. 

Her lifelong fellow feline friend, Zoey, just died late last year. I’m still missing her so much. I can’t bear the thought of losing Poptart, too.

But so it is.

I love that as I was listening to the Anderson Cooper podcast at 4:30am, Poptart was curled up close to my feet, purring. 

This is the all of it. 

As my friend Shawn says, “We contain multitudes.” I can feel the sadness of knowing Poptart’s days are numbered and I can also feel the sweetness of her pressed against me, purring. 

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I send you love today, my friend. 

I send you a day that brings you connection. 

I send you the ability to hold whatever is being offered to you today. 

We’re all in this together. We can hold it all. 

Thanks for who you are and for your beautiful spirit. 

Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,

xo Sherry 

Welcome to your Sunday LoveGram. 

I love that we are here through all the ups and downs of being human.

Take a moment to acknowledge yourself for being here and for being someone who cares about how you show up in your life and for the people you love.   

💥💓💥

Today’s LoveGram is in appreciation to my friend, Shawn, who leads a group with me called “The Hard Stuff is Okay.” 

We started this group a couple years ago when we both realized we were reading Susan Cain’s “Bittersweet” at the same time. As coaches, we loved that Susan gives permission for people to feel a whole range of emotions — not just the “up” ones! 

Our group is just exactly what it sounds like: a space where people can gather and talk about the bittersweet or frustrating or grief-filled moments of their lives. 

In this circle, there is a lot of compassion. And a lot of space. 

Shawn has a saying he uses, “We contain multitudes.” In today’s audio, I share with you why I think this is so important to remember. 

I hope you listen in and find something in this audio LoveGram that speaks to you. 

Click here to listen. Scroll down to the purple box at the bottom of the page. You can hear more about the connections we can make to ourselves and to others! 

💥💓💥

I appreciate you and am grateful for who you are and how you show up for your life and for the people you love. 

After you listen to today’s LoveGram, see if you can allow yourself to feel a combination of things at once. 

We don’t have to live our lives in black and white or this and that. We can hold more than we think. We are more than we think. 

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

💝 P.S. Here’s a link to a video from last week of Shawn and I talking about “The Hard Stuff is Okay.” 

💝 Last week, I encouraged you to listen to Anderson Cooper’s podcast with Sara Bareilles, talking about grief. I relistened to that episode at 4:30am this morning, when I woke up to my sweet Poptart yowling for an early breakfast. I fed her and couldn’t get back to sleep. 

So, I listened again to this beautiful conversation. If you haven’t listened to it, I am gently nudging you again. It opens up my heart to the ALL of life — to the light and to the dark, to the hope and to the despair, to the pain and to the joy. To the MULTITUDES of who we are as humans. Here’s that link again.