Every Tuesday, I have a “Little Chat with Shannon” live stream in the 52 Cues Community. This topic was on my mind recently.

Greetings to all my friends, no matter the time of day in your corner of the world. Today, I want to share a personal journey and reflection. I've been pondering an experience from this past weekend, and I think it's a story worth sharing. But before I jump into that, let me take you back a bit to provide some context.

In October 2021, during the height of COVID-19's aftermath, I lost my dream job. I had been a creative director and music director for a welcoming local church. Losing my position, especially after the loss of my father in October 2020 and the general struggles everyone faced due to the pandemic, was a severe blow. My response was to cocoon myself and dive deep into drawing as a coping mechanism.

I loved the musical component of my previous job. I had the privilege of working with skilled musicians – Steve, Mark, and of course, my husband, Dave. The bond we shared was special, and one of the toughest aspects of losing my job was not being able to play with them every week. Over time, I started avoiding their rehearsals at my house. It was painful to be so close yet so distant from something I loved deeply.

The initial experience of not being part of it was tough, so I began avoiding these sessions.

However, an opportunity presented itself when they had a gig in Miami. After some hesitation, I decided to join them, stepping out of my comfort zone and confronting a self-imposed fear. The outcome was surprising and enlightening. Being around these friends, experiencing their energy, and witnessing their performance reminded me of who I am and what I love. I realized I had constructed a fear that wasn't truly serving me.

This experience made me ponder the nature of fear. There's a healthy kind that keeps us safe, and then there's the fear we create – a construct built on past experiences. It can limit us if we allow it to. Confronting this fear and reuniting with the musicians not only brought joy, but also rekindled my inner music director.

So, the lesson here is to examine your fears – discern between the necessary caution and the self-imposed limitations. In facing these fears, we might uncover something precious we thought was lost or even discover something new. Today, I encourage you to take a look at those areas where fear has held you back and consider facing them with the right mindset and support.

I want to extend my gratitude to each of you for joining me on this journey, whether you're here live or watching this later. I never take for granted the time we spend together. Remember, I'm here every Tuesday, so until next week, take care and keep embracing life's challenges.

Bye for now!

Shannon

This is what I’m currently reading:

“The Hole” — Hard Science Fiction by Brandon Q. Morris

CLICK HERE