Is This for Real?

September 2, 2026 | Vol. 6

I went out a few times over the last several days to listen to live music, and I found myself feeling so genuinely happy watching people do what they love.

This isn’t entirely new for me. There’s something about seeing someone share their talent, follow their passion, and become fully immersed in something they enjoy that brings me so much joy. I love witnessing people doing the thing that makes them come alive.

It felt kind of silly but, at one point, I actually checked in with myself: Is this for real? Is this true, authentic joy?  Yep. Sure is. 😂

And apparently it isn’t only live music. I felt it again tonight while watching the Mariners. One of the kids (Lazaro Montes) had just been called up to the big leagues, and he hit his first major-league home run. His excitement was so genuine that I couldn’t help but feel happy with him. During his postgame interview, he said, “This is even better than the dream.”  There it was again: the joy of watching someone experience something they’d dreamed about and allowing myself to feel it right along with them. 

I think sometimes we become so accustomed to checking in when something feels uncomfortable that we forget we can also pause and notice what feels really good. We can let ourselves recognize the moments when we feel open, connected, energized, and fully in the moment.

Joy doesn’t always need a reason or have to lead somewhere. Sometimes it’s simply the experience of being there, listening to the music, watching someone light up, and allowing their joy to awaken something in you too.

Maybe part of expanding our capacity to receive is allowing ourselves to fully take in these moments instead of rushing past them or questioning whether they’re significant enough to matter.

What brings you the kind of joy that makes you pause and think, “Oh, this is real”?

This Week On The Podcast

What If You Don’t Have to Hold On So Tightly?

There’s a space between taking the next aligned step that feels connected to who you are and trying to control exactly what happens afterward.

In this week’s episode, I’m exploring surrender, releasing our grip on how we think something has to unfold, and allowing room for possibilities we may not have imagined. We can know what we want, listen to our bodies, follow the nudges, and take meaningful action while also acknowledging that we don’t control everything that happens next.

Click here to listen to the Pure Possibilities Podcast

New episodes drop every Tuesday at 12:00 a.m. Pacific.

What If Weekly...

What if I easily expand my capacity to receive?

Some of us are really good at giving and then completely shut down when it comes to receiving. Whether it’s a compliment, help from someone we love, support when we need it, or even the abundance available to us, receiving can feel surprisingly uncomfortable.

We may brush off the compliment, insist we can do it ourselves, or worry that accepting help means we owe someone something in return (this is a BIG one!) Sometimes giving feels safer because it allows us to remain in control. Receiving asks us to soften, trust, and allow something to come toward us.

There is a balance between giving and receiving. Constantly pouring out without allowing anything back in can leave us depleted, disconnected, and wondering why support never seems to arrive, even when we haven’t made space to accept it.

Expanding your capacity to receive doesn’t have to begin with something huge. It might look like simply saying “thank you” when someone offers a compliment, accepting help without apologizing, or asking for assistance before you’ve reached your limit.

What’s Unfolding...

Sometimes we know something needs to change, but we’re too close to it to see what’s actually keeping us stuck or which next step matters most.

I’m opening a limited number of complimentary 30-minute Clarity Calls for anyone who would benefit from a supportive conversation and another perspective. We’ll explore what’s happening beneath the second-guessing, avoidance, or uncertainty and identify a connected next step forward.

Book a Complimentary Clarity Call

There's no pressure or expectation. Just space to chat and talk through what’s feeling unclear and see what becomes possible.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to receive help or asked for the support you needed?

Hit reply and share with me. I’d truly love to hear. 💜

Until next week, pause, notice, reconnect... and remember that kindness and receiving can both begin with allowing yourself one small pause.

Much love,

Shannon💜