It's A Miracle with Amanda Ferrin

When life hands you scleroderma, you might just find a way to craft it into a gift of daily miracles—just ask Amanda Ferrin.   She joins me to share not only her journey but also the personal revolutions that have emerged from being given a terminal diagnosis.

Through the twists and turns of our conversation, we uncover the little actions that can lead to monumental shifts in perception and being. Setting meaningful alarms and purposefully using social media become not just tips and tricks but part of a larger narrative on how intentional living can radiate positivity and profoundly influence the lives around us. This episode is peppered with personal anecdotes that serve as poignant reminders of the profound impact of self-awareness and authentic connections.

We wrap up with reflections on the beauty of authenticity, the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth.   My own evolution, from introvert to a social conductor, underlines the episode's theme: challenges can be the very conduit for self-improvement and inspiration. This isn't just a conversation; it's an invitation to explore joy and purpose in every step we take, no matter how daunting the journey may seem.

Connect with Amanda here! 
https://linktr.ee/Amanda.ferrin
https://gofund.me/652933ed

Transcript

Living Life With Joy and Resilience

Shannon 0:00

I'm so excited to share today's episode with you. It is with my new friend, amanda Farron. We met in a couple of classes that we were taking. I heard her talking one day and I was like, oh my gosh, I have to connect with this woman. She is such a bright, beautiful soul and just shines her light all the time and she just absolutely draws people in. Amanda was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease called scleroderma back in 2020 and was given six weeks to live. Amanda is still shining her beautiful light with all of us and lives every day as if it's a miracle because it truly, truly is. I'll drop in the show notes how you can connect with Amanda and support her along her journey. This episode is kind of funny because when we started, I had forgotten to hit record when we first connected, and so we kind of picked back up. She had started off by asking me about my hair because it's purple. She wanted to know the backstory. So I hope you enjoy today's episode. It wasn't, but I am Now. I am Now.

Amanda 1:12

We're both recording. Well, look at that, we're both learning. Yes, yes, we are.

Shannon 1:21

Okay, so the hair I decided to just give it a try, because I couldn't ever have my hair colored and I run a movie theater and my theater was shut down and I was like, well, I'll give it a try. And I also pierced my nose during COVID.

Amanda 1:37

Yes.

Shannon 1:38

I was like, let me try all these things that I've always wanted to do. And then I went through like different styles, like different colors, and was trying all the different things and the pink would wash out really fast. And I tried red for a little bit, like a burgundy around Christmas time, and that did not go well with my blonde. It like totally bled. And then I found that we started doing the purple and I have fallen in love with it and everybody comments on my hair all the time.

Amanda 2:08

No, I love it. I my first boss when I started, like a big girl job, she had like underneath kind of purple and purple is like her signature color and we did like creative and theater and all the things and it was. I mean, it was a big girl job but it was like at a church and stuff like that. And so when she kind of had to finally enter like the corporate world, and now she's in the business like the corporate world, and now she's in HR and things like that, she's like sucks my soul away because they won't let me have that hair.

Shannon 2:52

So I'm like I feel it so yeah, well, it's funny, cause I never like I didn't really have, like it was never of interest to me to do this. And then actually when we reopened, like with the nose piercing, I was like, well, I'll just have to wear a mask anyway, so it's fine, you know, it'll have time to heal. And then we kept staying closed. And then with the hair, they eventually changed our dress code and so now I can have colors in my hair. So I was like, look at the divine timing of that.

Amanda 3:19

Yeah, that's amazing, yeah. Yeah, it's so funny with COVID, like how we reformulated, like so much of how, even I know like dress codes that never went back, or like casual things that would never have been acceptable Now are to some extent, or another that those are like the little a lot of times. I think like the little blessings or whatever that came out of a non-fair blessed.

Shannon 3:51

Yeah, it was definitely not not a great time, but I ended up really finding it Like I found a lot of growth during COVID, like personal, personal growth during that time, and so there are parts of it that I was actually like I eventually got furloughed from my job and I was like this is the first time since I was in 30 years that I haven't had to work. Yeah, and I mean I was able to focus on my own business outside of that. But I was like, oh, this is kind of a nice, this is kind of a nice break.

Amanda 4:20

But then you, but now you are kind of doing both.

Shannon 4:24

Yeah, I'm doing both, yeah, and actually really building, working to build my actual business.

Amanda 4:31

So is the dream to, as Kathy says, quit your day job?

Shannon 4:34

Yeah, that is definitely the dream. So, yeah, cause I fell in actually during COVID. Like I fell in, I was like, oh my gosh, like I can help people. This is the coolest thing ever. Cause I was walking every day.

Shannon 4:49

Yeah, and I had started doing like 10,000 steps a day right before COVID, and then it gave me something to do and then I just kept going and I started doing like movement, contests and stuff and like really trying to engage people on social media, because I was like everybody's just stuck at home, like let's get out and do something, and so then I did some contests and get prizes and got out of my comfort zone doing videos and stuff, and it was really fun and I was like, oh my gosh, like people, I can actually impact people's lives. This is so cool.

Shannon 5:19

And so it's just kind of continued since then and I fell in a loop with helping people yeah.

Amanda 5:28

It's just the way one thing leads to another. Is I just what you can't ever control? Is, I think, what makes life worth living? It's the things that you try to like hold on to so tightly, and then it's the things that like are so far beyond that. That are what it's like. Oh, that was what was actually supposed to be all along.

Shannon 5:55

So and then when you just kind of let go and it just happens and unfolds beautifully, so I have to tell you. So you post the videos all the time of walking along the beach down in California, and I have a friend that lives in Huntington Beach and social send me like sunset pictures and everything, and so I absolutely love that you post those, because I'm like, oh my god, because I live in Seattle, right, and so I don't get the I mean, we have beautiful sunsets sometimes too but I just love that you do that because it brings me joy.

Amanda 6:24

Good. Well, I spent a like about a month and a half in Vancouver, washington, last, like April, may ish. But I escaped to Seattle a couple of times because I love it up there, but I could never live up there, so kudos to you, thank you.

Shannon 6:50

Yeah, I've lived here forever, so I can't really imagine living somewhere else. I mean, I've thought about it, but in the last couple of weeks the rain has been horrific. But I've heard the sun is trying to come out this morning, which is nice. Got quite a little light flooding in, yeah, but I always love those videos that you post. I'm like, oh the sun and the water it's so beautiful.

Amanda 7:12

I know I it is. I mean, it makes it all worth it. I don't know why anyone would choose all the other reasons to live in California. And at least I'm like people that live here and they're like oh yeah, I haven't been to the beach in six months. I'm like then what do you pay all the money for? Put up with the traffic, like all the thing, like why are you here? Go live in, like the Midwest.

Shannon 7:39

No kidding, yeah, so beautiful, so, and then you're at Disneyland all the time, which I also love. It just like brings me joy. You just have this beautiful soul and you just shine your light and I love it and it really just draws people in. So thank you for that.

Amanda 7:59

Well, thank you. I sometimes, you know, I don't, I have no idea what I'm doing with life most of the time. But I, you know, I think that I say all the time like if there was, like maybe and maybe someday I'll write the blueprint for how to deal with life when you, you know, don't have tomorrow, and so you just live in those kind of things. But I think I also have learned that's when you just can't live with a blueprint, and so I try to find the balance of living, the I'm just going to go to Disney and or walk on the beach or whatever, and so, like, try to have a little bit more into life. But at the same time I'll text my sister like I'll be like laying in the emergency room and like looking at Disney wait times and like I'm sorry I'm going to be waiting two more hours to see a doctor and it's 45 minutes to ride in credit coaster. I'm out, you know like, but we'll see.

Shannon 9:12

Yeah, I mean yeah, like one minute you're at Disney and then the next minute you're in the emergency room, Like that's. It's amazing how you just live in the moment.

Amanda 9:23

Yeah, it's weird moments, though. Right, like, yeah, I was like that is that day that I posted a video, you know, like celebrating red cup to him. Like you really can't make this up. I'm practically telling people live because you don't know what's going to happen next. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like walking back to my car and I like am laying there with a fractured humorous like an ambulance and I'm like, well, I guess I called it out for myself.

Shannon 9:54

That was the same day, because I remember your red cup, because I was like, oh my gosh, it brought me so like again, bringing me so much joy. And I totally went into Starbucks and got my red cup. And they weren't even going to, they were like you have to get a hot drink. And I was like, no, I need this cup. Right, and they gave it to me anyway, because I'm there all the time.

Amanda 10:13

Well, because the, the and I mean I even like planned it out that I it's sad that I know Disney enough to know they have their own Disney cups so they don't do red cups. But I wanted to like celebrate Red Cup day and I wanted to do it at my favorite spot. So I got Starbucks at the Starbucks outside of Disney, carried it in, did my red cup thing, talked about Red Cup Day, talked about Christmas magic, went, and I think it was like a really busy day because they just put up their Christmas stuff. And so I like went. I think I rode like one ride and then I got in line to take the bus back and the line was really long and it's like a little less than a mile to walk back to the car park and I was like, oh, it's actually a kind of nice night Like I love, like the whole reason I go to Disney is to walk and get my steps in, and and so I was like I'll just walk back and there was a little voice in my head that said don't do that.

Amanda 11:21

And I ignored it and I always find I should just listen to that like little spirit in my in my heart. But I like walked back and, sure enough, I tripped and fell and it was funny, because, well, no, it wasn't funny. But the two guys that like stopped, they were from Colorado, like 15 minutes from where my mom lives and like where I grew up.

Amanda 11:47

So really staying there and like talking, having a conversation, and they're like but are you OK? And I was like, no, I actually really think my arm's broken. And he's like but you're like talking. And I said, yeah, it's, I do this a lot and like I do think that anyway.

Shannon 12:04

So yeah, just another day, just another day and living in the moment. So, like, how do people I mean one thing that I, like I set alarms on my phone to go off like every hour throughout the day to really help me, help to remind me to be present in the moment and like pull myself out of the yeah the whatever of the day.

Shannon 12:25

You know, sometimes everything is amazing. And then other times when I'm like in it, you know, like in the thick of whatever is happening, it just like pulls me out for a moment to just go and just like take a break.

Amanda 12:37

I love that. I love that.

Shannon 12:40

Oh and then. So I also had that. So I have all of my alarms like named yeah. And then I have like what if something amazing happens today, or what if I allow the universe to surprise and delight me? And so they're like I have little titles on them so that it just gives me a moment to like amazing, pause and reflect. And my first alarm says good morning, beautiful, have an amazing day. And it has like a little heart and a little like emoji with the hearts.

Amanda 13:06

Oh my gosh, that's amazing. You're one of those people that like is so organized to like name your alarm I. I aspire to be that kind of a person. Well, it's fire to remember to set a alarm. So, like I felt accomplished that I woke up without an alarm this morning because I was like, oh yeah, I, I could have overslept if I, if I slept past eight, I would be in. So that's amazing.

Shannon 13:36

Well, it's fun. Several years ago I I had come in contact or connected with an energy intuitive, okay, and she talks about all these what if? Questions. You just like ask the what if and just like put it out there and don't don't focus on it. Yeah, you know. And so you know what if I fall madly in love with me and all of these things? And I was like I should put those, you know, and she said, you know, just think about that, or you know, have it come up every you know a couple of times a day, whatever. And her focus was like pick one question and have that be your question for the day. And I was like no, I think I want to do this a little bit different. And so then I put them in my phone so that they would go off and like my final alarm of the day says what is one amazing thing that happened today?

Shannon 14:21

Again just I'm not really good at like journaling or writing out gratitude, and so it just gives me that moment at 930 every day that my alarm goes off and just to kind of pause and reflect on the day and something amazing that happened.

Exploring Life's Possibilities and Taking Control

Amanda 14:36

So that's so good, though, because I love that you took. You know what was her idea.

Shannon 14:44

Yeah.

Amanda 14:45

And like made it. You know what kind of is your life plan, almost like that daily thing. That's what I love about. I know that not that she was specific to, to like Kathy's community or these different things, but I think there's like one of the things, and I think even probably with COVID, it gave people like that breathing space. But I think that there's so many people that just live, you know, like they're just going down the road and you know it's just the daily grind and all that kind of stuff.

Amanda 15:33

But I found that being around people that are questioning things a little bit differently or realizing like there's a little bit more to life, or how can I? I mean, because what you're doing is not like. I mean it's to me it's revolutionary in a lot of ways, but it's so small and yet it's revolutionary. And people don't a lot of people don't ever even take those small steps, that and, and I think that's even and. But then to kind of take that like this is my revolutionary thing and to use that and maybe that's not like what you necessarily your I don't know like your seven step course or your bookie ride or whatever, but it's changed you enough that it like is part of a purpose and a mission and it and it even like possibility, like that, that whole ethos that is you coming from.

Amanda 16:44

I think it comes from like those questions you're already asking yourself like, yeah, what is possible? And like that's the connection, and like for me, like the it's a miracle is like every, every Disney trip, every walk on the beach, all those things come from my heartbeat of it. All is a miracle. I think that that's what's so beautiful about so many people I've encountered in this world is each of us have that thing that when we use that thing, we don't know who it's going to impact and even what you said. I'm like, okay, I could probably put a couple of arms in my phone and I think that could actually be. It's so cool. I love that you do that, thank you.

Shannon 17:42

I share it with everybody and it's definitely part of all of the things that I'm working towards. But because it is so impactful and I actually I was with a friend one time and I was telling her about it I think I had mentioned it to her before but then I literally took her phone and I programmed a couple of them in there and she's like, oh, just even seeing it just changes the mood in the moment and everything else. I'll send you my list of some of my questions that you can put in there. Yeah, because it really just it's just fun.

Amanda 18:17

What you like with the videos, and you may have already done this, but I think it'd be cool. I just learned how to do this a couple of months back Again, so probably people have been doing this for years and you probably do it or whatever but it'd be cool if you did some Instagram reel where you did a screenshot of a screen recording of creating an alarm and a voiceover explaining it, with some cool possibilities, style music or something like that, and this is something that helps me change my whatever and then put it in and then ask them the question and whatever that alarm is. End that in the reel right there and then say comment below how you'd answer or whatever.

Shannon 19:18

I love that. That's so fun. I have been doing some reels in the month of November about asking questions to get in tune with yourself, because I feel like if we don't really know who we are, how do we even know what we want? And, like you were saying, people are so disconnected and in the daily grind of everything and life is just happening and they feel like they don't have any control over it. So my passion now is helping people to understand you can take back the power of your life. You can even look at you. You've got this terminal illness you were diagnosed with and you're like nope, I'm going to go to Disneyland and I'm going to go walk on the beach and I'm going to do all of these things because the power is all within us, no matter what is going on around us we can take that back and find the small moments and really be present in every single day.

Amanda 20:14

Yeah, yeah, well, I love you on. I mean, you were talking about me, which is so amazing.

Shannon 20:24

No, just kidding.

Amanda 20:26

I just I love you on the screen and even just talking to you like you just are like light and you just thank you. So I hope you continue to show up as much as possible, because I'm looking to you for sure.

Shannon 20:44

Well, it's like our energy is so important and that was something like I kind of hit a wall last year where I was like my energy is down and my vibration is down, and so when I connected and started, I took a light coaching course and that just like tore me down and then lifted me right up and like got rid of all the crap that's in our head beliefs and all of those things. And then I took an energy healing course and then I ended up with Cathy and the podcasting course and it's just all continue to unfold. But in all of that, it's just we just need to live in the present moment and make it fun. Like why can't it be fun? Why does it have to be so?

Amanda 21:23

the life and dye your hair purple.

Shannon 21:27

Exactly, exactly, exactly. So what are other things that you love to do that like bring you joy and lift you up, and other than Disneyland and the beach?

Amanda 21:42

Yeah, I mean, I think that I was never the person that like, when people like, what are your hobbies and you know whatever? Not crafty, I'm not, like you know what. So like I never knew kind of what that was I. And prior to being sick, I was the kind of person that, like I never needed to quit my job because I used to direct kids musicals and arrange kids music and work with kids and develop leaders and that kind of thing. And so it was like both my job, my passion, my everything, my reason for not dating, like it was just like thanks. And so I, when I got sick and I wasn't able to work anymore and especially because, like it all fell right at the beginning of COVID, so like all you know, like you couldn't work with kids but I was also sick and it was all the things I really thought that my identity would be really rocked at that point because everything I had done and worked for for 10 years of my life was not accessible to me and I was sick. But I'm thankful because I feel like, even though all of that was true, I think what can get people tripped up is when those things are life giving, but they are, they're more the source than the result. You know, like, when your joy is brought by doing that, versus like joy comes out of doing it. And so what I found was I still had this like purpose, even though, like, it didn't look the same as it used to and it and it's been in fits and starts. And when your purpose is like, ok, I'm going to Disney or I'm doing, you know like, or I'm writing, or you know just, I'm seizing the moment of every day, I think that it can feel a little bit like there's not like dollars associated with that, or you know whatever, and when we draw even our value from things like that. But I just I love, I love people and I love, like you know, just seeing Like joy through other people's eyes, sharing my joy, and you know, a lot of the things that brought me like joy and help me live and experience life when I was working are things that I have found I can still do.

Amanda 24:50

You know, even if it's I, even if it's sitting in a transfusion chair, like the opportunities I have to share my story or to share hope or whatever, even just sitting there or getting on a zoom call. You know, like I think I wanted at first this like big moment where, like I stepped on a stage of thousands, shared my story and then I'd feel like, ok, this was worth it or there was a purpose, or whatever. But I think that it that again goes back to like that I'd still be chasing that, you know, and if that was what I was chasing, the stage could never be big enough or the dollars could never be enough. But like, if I can go, ok, today I have Disney, or I don't even have Disney today, today I have a, I have a transfusion, and then I'm going to feel like junk and I'm not going to do anything, like, ok, so with what I have, you know, what can I do?

Amanda 26:00

And if I can't do anything, am I still? So like it's just like what? Now I've found, like, ok, no, I don't have hobbies. Like I don't have like all the things. Like my hobby is like joy and miracles and like that is weird and random, but it's like I'm so grateful that I I think that If I can help people, see, you can strip it all away and still have that alarm going off on your phone and realizing, okay, I can be grateful in this moment for something or whatever. That's what it's all about.

Shannon 26:50

Absolutely, and finding the joy and the fun in the day, even when you're literally having a transfusion.

Amanda 26:55

I mean it's, and it really just kind of goes to, it's a great reminder, I guess, that when we find the joy within ourselves and the love within ourselves, that, rather than looking to it outside of us, that it's just, I mean it's just even amplified for you, since you're you know, yeah Well, and I think it's even like you can find it and then also like there does come a point of choosing it, you know, and you can just go to the transfusion or you can just go to your job or all of the, all the things that we can live our life and just make our way through. But I know there's been times I've hopped on a Zoom call. You know that we have a pod or something like that, and people are like, oh, can you turn on your video? And I'll say, well, no, I'm actually in a medical appointment and you can have your video streaming when you're in those sets of HIPAA.

Amanda 28:06

And people will say, oh, I can't believe, almost like this accolade of, I can't believe you're getting on in a moment like this when and for me I always hope people can approach life Well, why wouldn't? In that moment you just to step outside of you could sit there and be sick and be like I'm not getting engaged in the world because of A, b and C, and sure you have the reasons, but all the more, choose D and you know, get on the call or do the thing, especially if it's going to fill you up, like if you know that that fills your cup like heck yeah.

Amanda 28:51

Yeah, exactly, and I think we. But I think there's so many times and I'm guilty of it, I think you hear so often you can help people because it's where you've learned, you know, or all those, the metaphors that I don't dispel as as beautifully as a lot of people, but you know, like that point of pain that you're the answer to, because it was your point of pain, all those things Like I think to some extent I probably get it, because I was always so like myopic and just like I'm going to live and do. But you know, I think that now I'm like the opposite and I'm like, no, just like, do do it, just do it in the moment, live life, you know so.

Shannon 29:42

Yeah, I have a friend who has like started saying yes to everything you know. Like I'm just going to do it.

Thoughts on Toxic Positivity and Authenticity

Shannon 29:47

Yes, heck yes, and you know I'm a full believer in like if it's a full body, yes, let's do it, and if it's not, then Then don't do it. You know, do the things that are fun. And you know, I, what are your thoughts on? Like toxic positivity? Because I get people, because I obviously have a pretty high energy, you know, most of the time, and I'm looking for, I am looking for the beauty in the day and I'm looking for the fun, and I'm, you know, because why would I want to feel like crap, you know, but then people are like, oh, it's like toxic positivity.

Amanda 30:16

What are your thoughts on that. You know, I think that we all throw around a lot of phrases, and I think another phrase that I don't like is that whole like gaslighting thing, or you know different ways that we can like kneecap, you know someone's run, and like cut them off at the knees, and it's like, I think, that we label what makes us uncomfortable, because then we can make it other than us. You know, like well, that's toxic positivity, and then I can label it and not feel, I can feel like it's a problem versus like well, what is that? That's rubbing against me and really, you know so. And and yes, there are labels that totally fit and there's people that are probably toxically positive, but I think, at the same time, it so much of that just comes from the heart, you know, and I I would say that you know for sure, encountering you and spending five seconds with you, there's a light and a joy, and how could that ever be toxic? Like even hate that idea, like I like everything in me. I mean there are some labels that, but like I'm like toxic positivity, that's like that, like the like impossible hope. It's like, well, all hope is impossible because you don't see the ends. Like you know, like break things down.

Amanda 32:08

But I think that the idea behind toxic positivity and kind of this, like feel good, you know, despite it all, or whatever, again, I think it's it's that like how real are you? And if you're, if you're real and there's, and it comes from within you, who can discount that? And I think, for me, I sometimes will post things and I feel like, oh, I'm so negative and oh, like all of my posts are like, oh, I'm so sick and blah, blah, blah, and people are like that was so light and hopeful and all the things, and, and so I think that, for for me personally, I would say, oh, no one would ever accuse me of of toxic positivity, because I am like the opposite of that, and so like, call it what it is, or whatever, and like I look at people and I'm like, oh, they're so full of joy, they're so full of hope, why can't I be like that? So I think that you know it all comes down to if someone's real, and that's who they are, that's not toxic, that's who they are Like. And and if it makes you uncomfortable, why does it make you uncomfortable? And is that more you or is that more them, because I think nine times out of 10, it's more us and even I and I think that the times that I really feel like it is toxic is in the world that we live in and the Instagram polished like you know, that's not what's really going on.

Amanda 34:03

And and I think that there's a level that you don't have to.

Amanda 34:07

Nobody has to share everything on social media, but if you aren't, to some level, real, for me I just don't follow that person or like I take what they post with a grain of salt, but I don't need to kind of take the step of oh, you know, like they're you know I don't want to keep using that phrase but like toxic positivity, or they're this or they're that like maybe that's where they need to be, you know, and maybe being a little bit extra in that thing even helps them get to a point that if and pulls that, pulls that out, because I think I have days that I'm choosing a joy that feels a little bit more aspirational than I'd like it to be, you know, and it's that choice and the you know the gap between what I have in me and where I want to be, like filling that gap with joy or filling that gap with hope helps me cross over into where I want to be, and so if that's what helps someone like more power to you, yeah no, I totally agree and I think that I mean you're definitely spot on with like it's a reflection of like maybe I should get curious about why that person being so happy bothers me.

Shannon 35:38

Yeah, you know what I mean. Because, like, what's going on with me that that's so impactful, because and you know the authenticity side of things I mean I definitely get on and I'm like that today sucked. You know, I talked about creating a life you love and I'm like today is awful, but you know, you don't. You don't sit and dwell on it and you find, find that glimmer. Sometimes you got to find the glimmer in the day and even if it's just going to pull you through that moment, yeah. Yeah.

Growth Through Embracing Discomfort

Amanda 36:05

So for me I sometimes say it's almost a gift, because when you have this looming like I don't know if I have tomorrow, but I realize it is almost obvious, I mean it's it's not obvious that you live every day Like it's a gift. But I'm always interested with someone like you that I feel like our spirits. You know there's so much alignment in like the hope and the possibility we have, and yet you aren't facing a terminal illness and so to get to where you are without that like you know, initial reason or whatever, yeah, what was kind of the turning point for you?

Shannon 37:01

That's a great question. I was well, the big thing was the ending of a long term relationship and that, like I realized that I was looking out of actually was like an intimate relationship and then a friendship both ended at the same time and totally took me down. Yeah, and I realized at that point that I was looking outside of myself for all of my happiness, yeah. And so then I just kind of I just did little things. You know, I started listening to, listen to Abraham Hicks, and I listened to and I connected with this energy intuitive and started doing the what if? Questions. And then it's just kind of been this little path and starting to make myself uncomfortable, total introvert, like total. I never would speak up, never would say anything. And I'm still working through that. I know that's what people say to me and I'm like, I understand, like I'm that person that stands in the corner in a room and will not speak to anybody, but when I connect with people, I totally connect, yeah, you know.

Shannon 38:04

And so I just kind of started down that and I was like I don't want to, like I just want to feel better, and so I just literally found things that make me feel better and then I realized that feeling this way Is so much better. Yeah, you know why not look? You know, look for the sunshine, like I drive to work and I'm like looking for the flowers and the beauty and the sun and like why I mean, and every day isn't, you know, obviously all wonderful and roses, but let's just try to not get caught up in it. And even when something bad does happen or is feeling really horrible in the moment, now I'm in a space where I can pull myself out of it faster.

Shannon 38:47

Yeah, and not, you know. And then I started like asking myself questions like why is that really bothering me? Like what's? Because you, I'm a big fan of what's going on with other people has nothing to do with me, and what's going on with me usually has nothing to do with other people. So, like, why is their behavior really triggered? Like what's going on that I'm so worked up about what they're doing? And so it's really been, I guess, getting to know myself better.

Shannon 39:13

I didn't really know who I was, and so I like try new things all the time. I went and I was at a bar one time and I wrote a mechanical bull, something I never would have done. Yeah, like this is the craziest thing ever. And but you know, trying, just trying new things and putting myself out there and literally making myself uncomfortable, I mean I used to get on zooms in all these classes and stuff, and for the most part I don't speak, I just sit there and I listen and I observe. And then I finally, you know I was in one class and they would do breakout rooms and it was like the first time I had ever experienced that. The first time I was like, nope, I'm out.

Shannon 39:55

I totally bailed out of the, and then, like a couple hours later, because it was an all day class, they did another one and I'm like, okay, well, I'll hang out here for a minute. And I didn't speak. I think I even had my camera off. And then the next one, a couple hours later, I was like Okay, I think I was the only one. There were a couple of us in there, but nobody else was talking. So I was like, okay, well, I guess I need to talk. So, literally from the beginning to the end of the day, I went from bailing out of a room to leading the conversation, and so every time I do things that make me uncomfortable, I growl.

Amanda 40:29

Yeah.

Shannon 40:29

Yeah, yeah.

Amanda 40:31

And it's funny because I feel I total, I feel like you.

Amanda 40:35

Just everything you just said I could have said, and and so often I will, even on those calls that we have for the quilt, like on Thursdays, or like where it's like you've been invited to a room Half the time, I'll be like, oh, I'll act like you don't see it and I won't get in the room and and I'm overwhelmed so often I just like the simple thought of, like you know, a podcast interview or whatever, and then halfway through I'm like this is amazing, why do you like set up my mind to think it's going to be hard and exhausting and I'm not going to know what to say, and then I leave it and I'm like I'm ready to go like charge the world with a water Well, because I'm like on, you know, like it's on fire and I'm gonna, you know, like, so it's just it's I, I, I know like there's like the, and I think we're probably both it, whatever it is, if it's like the introverted, extrovert or extrovert, introvert or however they say it, that it's like you know, like I don't know, it's just, it's funny, but yeah.

Shannon 41:47

Yeah, it's, it's. I have grown so much by making myself uncomfortable, like it even started with my silly videos that I was doing when I was walking. I was like I need to help, you know, I need to show people this beauty, you know. And then I like literally forced myself to do lives every week and I was giving me surprises. But it was like because I need to make myself uncomfortable? Because if I can help people, even if it makes me uncomfortable, it's worth it. And then the growth that I've had, I'm like literally get out of your comfort zone. It's the best thing ever.

Amanda 42:17

Yeah, so do you make it fun now steps every day.

Shannon 42:20

It was 10,000 steps a day and I did it. I ended up doing it for a year and then I invited everyone to do on my final day. I'm like everybody walk with me. We're still in COVID, you know. So obviously, virtually I was like I want to walk, I want everybody to walk 365,000 steps in one day. That I you know that it took me a year, yeah, and then we did a little. I did a celebration, facebook live, and it was 555,000 steps that everybody ended up walking in that one day and it was, it was just fun and it was cool because it got people out and moving and, just you know, brought a little joy to a not great time, yeah. So and it and it and it helps me grow and helped me fall in love with helping people. So amazing.

Shannon 43:10

Yeah, oh my gosh, I knew this was going to be an amazing conversation.

Amanda 43:18

Yes, I love it, I will. And yeah, again, I. It was like, um, it's just, it's fun, you know, because I think, when, when we see the value in people, um, I, but at the same time, we all just know we're just people and we're just like being life and all of our journeys look different and, you know, there's people that are like, oh, I wanted to connect. I'm like this was perfect timing, because last week I wouldn't have said yes. But, like you know, like in this moment, like I've said no to 13 people I have no idea why. Like you know, this is the yes and and again, it just comes down to like saying that yes and or taking that opportunity and you are just such, a, such a light and just to all of this be motivated by you know, I just want to help people. Like it's, that's just amazing and I think that that's where all the ideas and all the things just keep. You know, snow balling, yeah, is I mean, that's what the world needs, not more snowballs. We don't write, but we need that effect.

Shannon 44:52

Yeah, thank you, yeah, and it's fun. And it's fun, and I actually did a workshop called life doesn't have to suck, because it seriously doesn't like yes and we can choose. We can choose. We can choose to find the beauty in the day.

Amanda 45:06

Yeah, my friend, I love like the when it gets like slightly irreverent, like that, like my friend wrote a book called God, what the heck and? And it's just it's the same kind of idea like taking the hard and just like it doesn't have to suck or what the heck you know, like, yeah, like that, that it's like it just spells a little bit even of that like pain point or that like heaviness, like it doesn't have to suck, it doesn't have to be heavy, it doesn't have to be. You know, it can just we can find the joy and not call it toxic positivity, because it's not toxic, it really is joy.

Shannon 45:48

You know it truly, truly, is joy. You are amazing and I'm so happy, thank you. I'm so happy we have the chance to connect and make we can do it again soon.

Amanda 46:02

Yeah, this was fun and I hope you're planning for your 2024. All the dreams and visions that you have. I know that you're just going to light the world up.

Shannon 46:13

Thank you. So how can will you send me the information about how people can like connect with you and support you? And I know you have your it's a miracle stickers and all of that, so if you could send that to me so I can share with everybody, that would be incredible.

Amanda 46:27

Yes, oh, thank you so much for this conversation and, like you, just I just love them. I just like I, I, yeah, I just I was like this is going to make my Friday and going into my weekend like so good and so yes.

Shannon 46:43

Oh good, it's a little bit of Friday love for both of us.

Amanda 46:46

Yes, well, have a good rest of your day. Thank you, you too, and we will chat soon, hopefully.

Shannon 46:54

Take care.