What word did you choose and why?

Balance

I chose the word Balance. I’ve lived in black or white for a long time, but now I need more of the gray zone. I’ve begun setting boundaries with my time. I’ve started to say “no.” I’m not willing to sacrifice my family time, and will continue to set boundaries to find that balance that I need.

This year my word is balance. Simply put, I need to find balance in my life, especially when it comes to work. For a long time, I’ve lived in either black or white, but never the gray zone. Now I feel like I need that gray zone. I recently got married, and became a stepmom to the coolest and most loving seven-year-old, and that is a part of my life I’m not willing to give an inch on. I’ve started setting boundaries with my time and even saying no, which was not an easy step mentally for me to take, but I did it. Sometimes when you’ve worked at the disposal of others for so long, they can find it difficult to accept your new boundaries, but luckily my clients have been really understanding and encouraging as I make these changes.

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 a younger version of myself, I’d tell her to jump in and go for it. Just do it and don’t be afraid. It will all work out and you’ll be better off for it.

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.

What word did you choose and why?

Confident

 I chose the word Confidence. I am confident in who God is, and this year I want to be confident in who He says that I am. I want to take the pressure off of myself and rest in that confidence. 

  This year I chose the word Confidence. I am confident in who God is, and this year I want to be more confident in who He made me to be. Being confident in Him just takes so much pressure off of me. When I believe that He is who He says He is, and that I am who He says I am, I get to live completely authentically. My worth isn’t tied to a milestone or a success, and I can just be present in who I am every day and trust that God has me right where He wants me. 

Confidence in your faith feels very affirming. I can trust myself and know that there is Grace on the bad days. I want to rest in confidence so that I am able to enjoy the journey, and not continue to climb mountain after mountain that just bring more frustration. I want to work to be happy with where I am and who I am, and confidently rest in that knowledge. 

What word did you choose and why?

Focus

I chose the word Focus. As a dreamer at heart, I can be easily distracted. I have so many goals this year that I just need to focus in on them a little at a time and dig in to get things done.

This year my word is Focus. Last year brought so much change to my life, and those changes have shifted my perspective and priorities. I have had to relinquish a lot of control and am learning how to manage my time more realistically so that I can really focus on the things that have to get accomplished. In focusing on the things that are most important now, I’ve also been setting new boundaries and cutting out the excess time wasters, and there is a freedom in that.

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 Jessica a year ago, I’d tell her to cut out some of those things even sooner. I’m big about not living in regret, and I understand that was the process I needed to go through to find healing, but the focus I am creating for my goals now has been so worth letting go of some of those things.

What word did you choose and why?

Trust

 I chose the word Trust. I want to place more trust in God. I want to place more trust in the people around me, and in the process. Whenever I feel myself struggling to grasp what is going on, I want to lean into that more and practice trust. 

This year I chose the word Trust. There is a lot of change happening, and it’s exciting, but also a little scary. My husband accepted a new job, one of our children is graduating from high school, and this summer, we are moving across the country.

There is a lot of good coming our way, but it is definitely a season where I am having to really trust that process.

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 Tamara from two years ago, I’d tell her to just embrace the chaos. The children grow up and life changes all too soon. Embrace the noise, embrace the chaos, and trust that you are braver than you think you are.