Eventful Endeavors

06/16/2026

Who knew a fundraiser would come with a VIP tour of a German fire station? 🚒🇩🇪

David and I had the chance to attend a fundraiser for a local volunteer fire department, meet the fire chief, and climb through every vehicle in the station. It was fascinating to see how differently communities prepare for emergencies.

🚒 Every emergency call automatically includes a gas truck because so much here operates on gas.
💧 Firefighters connect to underground water access points hidden beneath manhole covers—some just 1–2 meters deep, others 3–5 meters down.

And because it’s Germany, there was amazing food: pork neck, schnitzel, German potato salad, and bratwurst.

No matter the language, volunteers are the heartbeat of a community. ❤️

Thank you, Martin, for the special care, the incredible tour, and the firehouse swag. It was an honor to learn from you and your team and a great reminder that some of the best experiences happen when you simply say yes to something unexpected.

06/14/2026

You know what’s SO HARD?

Being sick. 😂🤒

I don’t have a profound life lesson for you today.

No deep metaphor.
No inspirational quote.
No five-step plan to become your best self.

I’ve been sick.

I’ve been sleeping.
I’ve been drinking questionable amounts of tea.
I’ve been trying to remember what day it is and what country I’m in.

And honestly?

Sometimes that’s enough.

Sometimes surviving the day, resting when your body says rest, and giving yourself permission to not have it all together is the lesson.

So if you’re running on empty, feeling under the weather, overwhelmed, or just don’t have anything left to give…

Maybe today isn’t about productivity.

Maybe today is about pajamas, soup, naps, and not feeling guilty about it.

Take care of yourself.

The dishes can wait.

The emails can wait.

The world will keep spinning.

And tomorrow is a brand-new day.

We are better together. 💛

06/07/2026

You know what’s SO HARD?

Trying to figure out what day it is when you’re in Germany and everyone you know is back in the United States. 😂

Sunday arrives here before it arrives there, and somewhere along the way I seem to have completely lost a day.

At this point, I have absolutely no idea what day it is.

The good news?

I haven’t gotten lost. Yet. 😂🇩🇪

Everyone here has been incredibly kind.

Today I met a wonderful woman who used to work in Los Angeles doing export and import. We spent nearly half an hour talking even though my German is limited and her English is limited. Somehow we figured it out anyway.

I’ve already met several business owners, been invited to a few local happenings, and even got to spend time with a beautiful brown Lab who apparently knew exactly where he was going, unlike me. 😂

And maybe that’s what I’m learning here.

For a long time, life was about surviving.

Navigating.

Analyzing.

Figuring out the next problem before it happened.

But Germany feels different.

I’m finding myself experiencing wonder.

Curiosity.

Connection.

Joy.

Not because life is perfect.

But because I’m allowing myself to be present in it.

I’ve learned that people don’t always need the same language to connect.

Sometimes all you need is kindness, a smile, and a willingness to try.

We’re all human beings.

We’re all made the same.

We’re just a little customized. 💛

So for now, I’m going to keep exploring, keep learning German, keep meeting people, and keep embracing this adventure.

And if I accidentally text you at 2:00 AM because I’ve forgotten what country I’m in…

Please forgive me. 😂

Wish me luck.

We are better together.

— Shannon 🇩🇪💛

05/31/2026

Pleasing Everybody is SO HARD.

There’s something I need to tell you that might shock some people:

You cannot make everybody happy.

Not everyone is going to like what you do.Not everyone is going to like how you do it.

And if you spend your whole life trying to please everybody?

You will drive yourself absolutely crazy.

Someone will think it’s too much.

Someone else will think it’s not enough.

Too loud.Too quiet.Too bold.Too soft.

They’ll complain the font is too small.

Then someone else will complain it’s too big.

Too bright.Too dark.Too serious.Too funny.

And honestly?

If people want to find something wrong...

they will.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

When you’re surrounded by the wrong people, they’ll always search for flaws.

When you’re surrounded by the right people, they’ll help you grow without trying to make you feel small.

There’s a huge difference between constructive encouragement and constant criticism.

One says:

"You're amazing. Let's make this even better."

The other says:

"I'm uncomfortable with your sparkle, so let me dim it."

No thank you.

If you are doing what you do with a good heart...

that matters.

Not perfection.

Not pleasing everyone.

Not shrinking yourself so others feel comfortable.

A lot of people are fighting battles you know nothing about.

Healing from things they don’t talk about.

Trying to survive things that changed them forever.

Imagine how different the world would be if we approached people with grace instead of constant judgment.

What if instead of trying to tear each other apart, we actually communicated?

Worked together?

Assumed people were trying their best?

Wouldn’t that be something?

Listen...

I’m sure I’ll continue upsetting people simply by existing. 😂

Maybe I used the wrong font.

Maybe the wrong color.

Maybe the wrong joke.

Who knows.

But I refuse to spend my life apologizing for shining.

And neither should you.

The right people won’t ask you to become smaller.

They’ll help you become better.

There’s a difference.

We are better together.

And honestly?

People need to grow up. 😂💛

05/24/2026

🔥 SUNDAY SERIES

You know what’s SO HARD?

Coming up with a post for Memorial Day weekend that truly honors the meaning behind this holiday.

Because this weekend is bigger than BBQs.
Bigger than sales.
Bigger than an extra day off.

This weekend is about remembering the individuals and families who sacrificed everything — quite literally their lives — so we could live freely.

So we could:
say what we want,
believe what we want,
dream what we want,
and live the lives we choose.

That freedom came with a price.

And that price deserves respect.

Honor.

Remembrance.

This weekend is sacred.

So while you’re laughing with family, eating good food, enjoying sunshine, and making memories…

please remember those who made those moments possible.

Never forget the sacrifice behind the freedom. ❤️🤍💙

05/17/2026

🔥 SUNDAY SERIES

Healing is a Verb.

And wow…

That can be SO HARD. 😂

Apparently “verb” means action.

And action means exercise.

And let me tell you something…

I am NOT one of those people who exercises because they LOVE it.

I exercise because apparently my knees, blood pressure, age, and the voices in my head are all in a group chat against me. 😭😂

Healing takes work too.

Honestly?

It takes so much work that sometimes I’d almost rather exercise…

And if you know me, you know that’s saying A LOT. 😂

Because truthfully…

I’d really like the RESULTS of healing
without having to go through all the hard stuff required to get there.

But now that I’ve gone through some of it?

I can honestly say…

it’s worth it.

And if you need somebody while you’re going through it…

I won’t let you do it alone.

And I’m not the only one who won’t. 💛

⸻

Because if there’s one thing I want people to understand, it’s this:

You are not crazy.

You are not alone.

And if you hang on long enough…

the good days really are worth it.

I’m living proof of that.

⸻

But I’m also going to tell you something important:

Healing is not something that just magically happens one day.

You don’t suddenly wake up “fixed.”

Healing is a verb.

It’s something you continue to do.

Over and over again.

⸻

Especially after trauma.

And I don’t mean tiny little inconveniences.

I mean the kind of trauma that changes your nervous system.

The kind that changes how safe the world feels.

The kind that makes your brain stay alert even when nothing is wrong.

⸻

Healing from emotional, mental, or spiritual wounds
isn’t that different from physical therapy.

If you break your leg…

you don’t just magically heal overnight and go run a marathon.

You go to therapy.
You practice.
You strengthen the muscles again.
You retrain your body.

⸻

Healing emotionally works a lot like that too.

It takes work.

Practice.

Awareness.

Rest.

Support.

And choosing yourself
over and over again.

⸻

Sometimes healing sneaks up on you quietly.

Sometimes it knocks you flat on your butt out of nowhere.

Sometimes old feelings come rushing back when you thought you were “past it.”

That doesn’t mean you failed.

That means you’re human.

⸻

And one thing I say all the time is:

You have to FEEL to HEAL.

A lot of us spend years trying to avoid hard feelings.

Distract ourselves.
Numb ourselves.
Stay busy.
Stay funny.
Stay strong.

But healing usually starts the moment we finally allow ourselves to feel what we’ve been trying to outrun.

⸻

It’s important to sit in it.

Face it.

Grit your teeth through it if you have to.

Because avoiding pain doesn’t heal it…

facing it does.

⸻

And something else I’ve learned?

How we FEEL
is not always what is TRUE.

⸻

It’s okay to FEEL worthless sometimes.

That does not mean you ARE worthless.

It’s okay to FEEL defeated.

Just don’t become defeated.

⸻

It’s okay to be tired too.

Strong people get tired.

Actually…

sometimes the strongest people are the ones carrying the heaviest things quietly.

⸻

And strong people also know when to stop and rest.

Rest is not weakness.

Taking care of yourself is not weakness.

Healing is not weakness.

⸻

You are important.

Your peace matters.

Your healing matters.

And if all you did today was survive something hard quietly…

I hope you still give yourself credit for that.

⸻

Because healing isn’t about becoming perfect.

It’s about learning how to keep going
without abandoning yourself.

And another important part of healing —
at least for me personally in my journey —
has been reaching back and reminding someone else
they can survive too.

Because I know what it feels like
to think you’re alone in it.

We really are better together.

⸻

— Sunday Series with Shannon 💛

05/10/2026

🔥 SUNDAY SERIES

Being a mom is SO HARD.

And I’m not just talking about labor and childbirth…

Because let’s be honest…

That part’s just a little uncomfortable if you know what I mean. 😂

Honestly, labor pains are probably like getting punched by Mike Tyson…

Except without the luxury of being knocked out.

You just stay awakeand experience every ounce of pain. 😭😂

And somehow…

You survive itfor one of the greatest little humansof all time.

The GOAT, if you will.

And yes… I mean Greatest Of All Time. 🐐😂

And WOW…

Nobody really prepares you for the rest of it.

Nobody tells you that one dayyour entire brain will be replaced with:

Birthdays.Snack schedules.Appointments.Homework.Anxiety.Tiny socks.Random school theme days you forgot about until 10 PM.And unconditional love so overwhelmingit actually scares you sometimes.

I used to get frustrated with my dad growing up.

He’d ask:

“What’s your birthday again?”

And I’d think:

HOW do you not know my birthday?!

Fast forward to becoming a mom myself…

Now I’m occasionally asking my own kids:

“Wait… what’s your birthday again?” 😂

And suddenly I got it.

Because when you become a parent…

Your brain becomes crowded with love.

And approximately 47,000 other things.

Being a mom means somehow knowing:

Everyone’s favorite foods.What blanket belongs to who.Who hates what texture.Where the missing shoe probably is.And exactly which child is yellingbased solely on the sound of the scream.

And let’s talk about food for a second.

Because apparently motherhood means:

Figuring out breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert…

Every.Single.Day.

For the rest of your life.

FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

Tiny people.

People who suddenly hate spaghettieven though yesterdayit was their favorite thing on Earth.

“It’s too crunchy.”“It’s too soft.”“The texture is weird.”“I don’t like this anymore.”

EXCUSE ME, TINY HUMAN.

I have prepared 14,000 meals for this familysince Tuesday. 😂

And somehow moms survive entirely on:

Cold coffee.Leftover chicken nuggets.Anxiety.And bunny trails of unfinished thoughts.

And let’s talk about mistakes for a second…

Because one of the biggest fears I have as a momis making one.

Making the wrong decision.Saying the wrong thing.Not protecting them enough.Protecting them too much.

You question yourself constantly.

Should I have said yes?Should I have said no?Should I have handled that differently?

And honestly?

I think one of the hardest parts of being a parentis learning to let go.

Not giving up…

Just understanding that you cannot control everything.

You do your best.You love them fiercely.You teach them what you can.

And then you trustthat if they fall…

you’ll be there to help pick them back up.

Because it’s not your fault if they fall.

Being there afterward?

That’s what matters.

And no matter how many times they say:

“I KNOW, MOM.” 😂

Just smile.

Because deep down…

you know they don’t always know yet.

And honestly?

That’s one of the funniest and most beautiful parts about being a parent.

The little moments.

The quiet moments.

The moments they don’t even realize you’re watching.

Like when you’ve told them 700 times:

“Please pick your towel up off the floor.”

And then one random afternoon…

You watch them walk past a towel on the floor.

They stop.

Turn around.

Pick it up.

And throw it in the laundry.

And suddenly you realize…

Oh my gosh.

They WERE listening.

It may seem small.

But those little moments matter.

Those are the momentsthat make your heart explode.

The hugs.The “I love yous.”The lessons finally clicking.

That’s the magic.

Being a mom is exhausting.

Beautiful.Messy.Funny.Heartbreaking.Rewarding.

All at the same time.

And motherhood is so much biggerthan simply giving birth.

To the stepmoms…bonus moms…grandmas…foster moms…chosen moms…single moms…grieving moms…

I see you too.

And as a mom…

I’m hard on myself.

Probably too hard sometimes.

Because I want more for my kids than what I had.

I want to know they’re going to be okay when I’m not here someday.

I want to know they’ll be safe.That they’ll make good decisions.That I prepared them for life.

And honestly?

I don’t know if you can ever fully know that.

I think at some point…

you just have to trustthat you did your best.

You did your bestwith what you knew.With how you were raised.With the experiences life threw at you.

And somehow moms learn how to juggle15 different parts of life at one timewhile pretending they’re not overwhelmed. 😂

So to all the moms out there…

I see you.

You’re doing a good job.

Even on the daysyou question everything.

Even on the daysyou feel exhausted.

Even on the daysyou feel unnoticed.

Keep going.

Because it matters.

You matter.

And being a mom?

Is so hard.

But wow…

it’s also so worth it.

Happy Mother’s Day 💛

— Sunday Series— Shannon

05/03/2026

🔥 SUNDAY SERIES

⸻

Everything is SO HARD.

And maybe that’s exactly why I keep talking about it.

⸻

Because sometimes I wonder…

Am I repeating myself?

Am I saying the same thing
just dressed differently?

⸻

But then I remember…

No.

⸻

Because “hard”
isn’t just one thing.

⸻

Letting go is hard.
Boundaries are hard.
Knowing your value is hard.
Speaking up is hard.
Growth is hard.

⸻

But so is…

Getting out of bed.
Taking out the trash.
Cleaning the bathroom.
Figuring out what to wear.
Making dinner every day
for the rest of your life. 😩

⸻

Going to the gas station is hard.
Trying to please everybody is hard.
Self-care is hard.

⸻

Keeping track of everything is hard.
Being a parent is hard.
Having a broken toe is hard.
Having gas is hard. 😂
Being constipated is hard.

⸻

And crying alone on the bathroom floor
wondering if anyone else
has ever felt this broken?

Yeah…

That’s hard too.

⸻

And while some of these
might sound silly…

They still count.

⸻

Because hard
is hard.

⸻

And not every hard thing
has to be life-altering
to feel heavy.

⸻

Sometimes the little things
pile on top of the big things…

Until suddenly
you’re overwhelmed
and don’t even know why.

⸻

That’s why I keep talking about it.

Because I know
what it feels like
to feel alone.

⸻

To feel like maybe
nobody else could possibly understand
how exhausting life can feel.

⸻

To wonder:

Am I too much?
Not enough?
Broken?
Lazy?
Why does this feel so hard?

⸻

And maybe…

You’ve wondered that too.

⸻

So no…

I’m not repeating myself.

I’m naming different struggles.

⸻

Because life
can be beautiful…

But let’s be honest—

Life can also be really freaking hard.

⸻

And I think it matters
that we talk about it.

The big things.
The deep things.
The silly things.
The embarrassing things.

⸻

Because people need to know
they are not alone.

⸻

You are not the only one struggling.

You are not the only one hurting.

You are not the only one
trying to hold it all together
while your stomach hurts,
your toe is broken,
your house is a mess,
and dinner still needs to be made.

⸻

And you are definitely not crazy.

You are human.

⸻

Life is serious enough.

We need to talk.
We need to laugh.
We need to heal.
We need to remind each other…

That hard seasons
do not mean
you are broken.

⸻

You are more than that.

We are more than that.

⸻

So maybe I’ll keep talking
about all the things
that are so hard…

Because maybe someone out there
needs to hear
they’re not the only one.

⸻

Everything is SO HARD.
But being alone in it?
That’s even harder.

⸻

— Sunday Series
— Shannon

⸻

04/29/2026

✨ THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! ✨

FREE. Fun. Family-friendly. 🎶

Come hang with Eugene & Springfield Greeters, enjoy Daydream Derby, connect with great people, and grab your FREE raffle ticket for the swag bag giveaway! 🎟️🎁

End your week right and kick off your weekend with us at Gratitude Brewing!

We are better together. 💚

✨ WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS FRIDAY NIGHT?! ✨

End your week. Start your weekend RIGHT.

Join Eugene & Springfield Greeters for a FREE, family-friendly night of fun, connection, and the sweet sounds of Daydream Derby at Gratitude Brewing! 🎶

Interesting people. Live music. Great vibes. Amazing community.
PLUS… FREE raffle tickets will be handed out for your chance to win the swag bag giveaway! 🎟️🎁 $500 value!!! 👀

Come make it more than a dream… make it a DAYDREAM all night long.

📍 Friday, May 1
⏰ Happy Hour: 5–6 PM | Music: 6–9 PM

We are better together. 💚