Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shannon Darsow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shannon, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Hi, and thank you so much for the opportunity. I am so excited to be considered for your article. Where do I get my resilience from? I believe being resilient and adaptable is something we all have in common as human beings, some more than others. I believe it is also something we can train within ourselves. To be able to understand when life brings us to our knees we don’t have to stay there.
There is always a period of sadness and grief when life does not go our way, or something bad happens to us. When I embraced that I am allowed to feel these emotions and don’t have to stuff them down or disregard them, I realized that by feeling every emotion we are given…this is how we become more resilient…by having the courage to feel, and the courage to grow through what you have to go through. Life is never going to be less difficult or chaotic, but we can create calm within ourselves.
One of the first times outside of my home growing up I can remember being taught resilience, and having my feelings acknowledged and allowed just as they were, was in my elementary school. Our principal was Sister Andrea. She knew I was a roamer and would turn a blind eye when I dipped out of the recess area to wander in the ravine that ran alongside the school. I did this especially on days I needed some extra space and quiet time and the woods gave that to me…one of my favorite places to spend time to this day. As long as I was back in line on time with all the other students when it was time to head back in she never said a word and I never got in trouble, because she knew me and let me do what I needed as long as I respected others around me and didn’t disrupt the class or the class schedule.
Sometimes I would need to stay in from recess and just lay my head on my desk after lunch instead of going outside, and all I had to do was ask. I would not ask unless I needed to, but the feeling that I was never questioned or told that I should ignore that I needed a break meant a lot to me. I always felt so much better after my walk in the ravine or taking that short rest after lunch.
The second important lesson I can remember as the beginnings of my resilience training also came from the nuns at my elementary school. It is something I try to teach my own children, and hope it resonates with them as well. This lesson has gotten me and my headspace where it needs to be during some of my most difficult times. We were taught from a very young age that no matter how hard our day is… if we ever feel like we just can’t do it anymore…look at our hands. Literally. Then remember that there is someone who needs you to use your hands to help them today. It may be someone you know, a complete stranger, or it may be yourself but always remember that is what you have your hands for. My faith life is deep, and these 2 specific beginnings of my resilience training have been foundational in navigating my life.
Our family, loved ones, and I have gone through different difficult events like health issues, layoffs, mental health issues, tragic horrible events, death of parents, car crashes, addictions, PTSD/depression, my husband was on the brink of death with covid,…and other things. My faith helps me remember I am not ever alone going through anything in life. We also have a wonderful community of friends and we are there for each other as life happens to each of us.
The resilience training from my early years helps me remember that when I think I cannot handle anymore to honor those feelings and take a little break to rest if needed, then look at my hands and remember someone needs me for some reason today and I am blessed with 2 hands to help them…it may even be myself that needs the help.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a proud Mother and Wife, Self employed business owner since 1995 as an executive marketing and advertising consultant, Silver Telly award-winning and Emmy nominated artist for advertising, International Model, published Author and Educator, and frequent traveler, adaptive and trauma informed yoga instructor, and executive master health and life coach.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think partnering with the qualities related to resilience I would add as a third quality, a passion for learning. By this I mean things like being curious about the people around you and learning about them, finding things that interest you and exploring what that looks like. It doesn’t have to be a grand undertaking unless that is what feels right for you. Life has so much to offer and you are a special and unique wonderfully created human being and digging a little deeper into what makes you excited, curious, or brings you your unique joy is a gift we all have at our fingertips…let’s make the most of it!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was stand their ground with my 2 sisters and I. They really had their work cut out for them raising 3 vibrant daughters, and they absolutely rose to the occasion with love, tough love, unconditional love, and purposeful firm boundaries. I thank them both every single day with my whole heart! I cannot imagine how hard that was…well actually my husband and I are raising 3 teenagers right now…and they are awesome…but it could be said that my gratitude is even deeper now on the other side of things now realizing just how very important it was that my parents did that for us no matter how hard it must have been. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shannondarsowart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-darsow-92775112/
Image Credits
Jacob Darsow Paul Nelson
