What word did you choose and why?

Grace

I chose the word Grace. You have to have Grace to move forward in life. Without the Grace from God, you’re stuck. Grace is something I’ve definitely struggled with in the past, and I’ve worked on it before, but this year I want to fully focus on it and practice Grace in every facet of life.

You have to have Grace to move forward in life. I believe that Grace comes from God and without it, you can get really stuck. Grace for ourselves and for others helps us to move forward. Grace helps us achieve our goals and is a way we can show love to those around us. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past, especially while walking through some of the tougher chapters of my life. I’ve worked on it over the years but this year I really want to focus on it and practice it daily. I hope that I am able to lead with Grace, at work and at home, so that others are then able to do the same. 

If you could go back and talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?

            If I could go back and talk to Shannon from two years ago, I’d tell her to relax a little more and just enjoy life. Things will fall into place when they are supposed to and where they are supposed to. I’d tell her that she will find where she’s supposed to be in her professional life and get to do something she really enjoys. I’d remind her that God will give you what you need when you need it. 

What is something you hope you accomplish by the end of the year?

            By the end of this year, I hope that I’m able to find more contentment with myself, and to question myself less when the not-so-great feelings pop up. I hope that by embracing and embodying these goals, my kids will be reminded that it’s okay to be yourself, and that your worth is not defined by others, and that they can always offer grace to themselves and to others. I hope to be that example for them, and I’m willing to put in the work to make it happen.