The Helpers Along the Way
September 23, 2026 | Vol. 9
My trip to Tennessee did not begin quite as smoothly as I had hoped. š I was taking a red-eye while traveling in a walking boot, and although I had decided not to request wheelchair assistance, I did not anticipate how much hobbling around Sea-Tac would actually be involved.
Between TSA PreCheck lines being closed, being directed to multiple places, and my gate changing, I found myself walking back and forth through the airport far more than planned. At one point, I was standing in one of only two open TSA PreCheck lines while nearly everyone around me was complaining. Honestly, their frustration made complete sense. It was absolutely a hot mess. š¤£
I was frustrated too, and I could feel how easy it would have been to get swept into the energy around me and allow everything going wrong to become the entire experience. So I stood there and intentionally focused on my breathing. Not because the situation wasnāt frustrating or because I needed to pretend everything was fine. I breathed because I could feel what was happening in my body, and I wanted to bring myself back to center.
The chaos didnāt disappear. The line didnāt suddenly move faster. I was still standing in an airport late at night wearing a walking boot. š But I was able to meet the situation differently.
As I moved through the rest of the trip, I began intentionally noticing the people who helped me along the way. People held elevators, allowed me to go ahead of them, offered me the opportunity to board first, and one woman lifted my bag off the luggage carousel for me. Even during my three-and-a-half-hour layover, there were reminders that I wasnāt moving through the day entirely on my own.
Two things can be true at the same time. The travel experience was genuinely chaotic, and people were also incredibly kind and helpful. One truth doesnāt cancel out the other.
I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about personal growth and nervous system regulation. The goal isnāt to reach some magical place where difficult things stop happening or nothing ever frustrates you. Itās being able to recognize what is happening, support yourself through it, and remember that the most frustrating part of an experience doesnāt have to become the entire story.
I could tell the story of that travel day by listing everything that went wrong, and none of it would be untrue. I can also choose to tell the story about the people who helped me, the kindness I experienced, and the way I supported myself through the chaos. That story is equally true.
When something isnāt going the way you hoped, what helps you come back to center and notice what else might also be true?
Hit reply and share it with me. Iād love to hear what comes up for you.
This Week on the Pure Possibilities Podcast
Whatās Your Relationship With Your Body?
We often think about changing, improving, shrinking, or learning to love our bodies, but how often do we pause to consider the relationship we currently have with them?
In this weekās episode, I explore the way we speak to and about our bodies, the āmagical numberā we may believe will finally change how we feel, and the possibility of treating our bodies with respect without requiring ourselves to love every single thing about them.
This episode begins a larger conversation about our relationship with our bodies. Next week, weāll continue by exploring what it actually looks like to care for them.
New episodes drop every Tuesday at 12:00 a.m. Pacific.
What if Weekly
I was certain I had packed the Magic of What If card decks for this trip... apparently not š«£ so we're freestyling this week based off of real life:
What if I allow myself to notice the helpers along the way?
Support doesnāt always arrive in big or obvious ways. Sometimes it looks like someone holding an elevator, lifting a heavy bag, offering directions, making space for you, or showing kindness during an otherwise difficult day.
As you move through your day, pause long enough to notice the people who make something a little easier. You may discover that youāre being supported in more ways than you initially realized.
Whatās Unfolding...
Your body is communicating with you all the time. Have you learned how to listen?
Listen to Your Body Talkā¢ is a guided experience designed to help you recognize how your body communicates, understand what influences the way you respond to life, and build the emotional and nervous system resilience to make choices that feel aligned with the life you desire.
The next live experience is coming soon, and the waitlist is now open! Add your name to be the first to receive the details when enrollment begins.
LEARN MORE & JOIN THE WAITLIST
Until next week, pause, notice, reconnect... and remember to notice the helpers along the way.
Much love š
Shannon
