Mountain Climbing: It’s not just a metaphor

There are many things I’ve learned from climbing mountains. I expected the challenges, but I never imagined the lasting impact it would have on my thinking, and how I do other things.

Sometimes the shifts are big, like a new perception of what’s really life threatening and what just feels that way. Sometimes they . . . → keep reading

Playback: Life is Like a Spin Class

Shannon's Specialized Dolce Road Bike

This was originally posted over six years ago. Last night I returned to spin class for the first time since the great concussion of 2013. While I’m not really starting over, it feels like it in many ways. Re-reading this post reminded me of how far I’ve actually come. Notice there’s not yet any talk . . . → keep reading

The Shadow of Accomplishment

I climbed a mountain last Saturday. And I don’t mean metaphorically.

I stood on the summit of Mt. Hood at 11,249 feet. Give or take a few feet.

There’s nothing like getting yourself to the top of a mountain to experience a visceral feeling of grandeur and accomplishment.

And yet.

Not long after I’m off . . . → keep reading

I need a challenge! Oops, already have one!

We’ve been in personal challenge mode around here. My beau was feeling a little down, a little lethargic, a little like he needed a kick in the pants. So he signed up for the Portland Triathlon. Now, despite being a couch potato for about twenty years, I’ve taken on a few physical challenges in the . . . → keep reading

Change Artistry: Get Active!

a group coaching program for people who want to get more active (and have fun while doing it).

It’s something like this . . .

You want to be more active. Feel comfortable in your body. Heck, just stand up from your desk once in a while. So you promise yourself to make a B . . . → keep reading

That other life-changing thing that I probably haven’t told you about – and a chance to do good

Remember when I shared with you how envy brought me to coaching? Part of the reason I could hear what the envy had to tell me was that I was looking for something different. I knew something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t sure what to do about it. I’d known something wasn’t right for awhile. . . . → keep reading

Worth Repeating: Sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to, and it’s even better

This post was originally published four years ago. It was an event and a feeling I haven’t forgotten, although sometimes, day-to-day, I could use a little reminder.

I thought maybe you could too.

* * *

In the summer of 2007 I climbed my first mountain. It was Mt. Saint Helen’s our local . . . → keep reading

Good | Bad | Rad #30 – Even the Bad Wasn’t so Bad

The Oregon Zoo's new baby elephant, Lily

A look back at some of the best, hardest and most surprising parts of my week.

The Good

Baby Elephant. The Oregon Zoo has a world-renown Asian elephant breeding program, although it’s not without controversy. At the end of November, the last member of the elephant tribe was born. This past weekend, I got to . . . → keep reading

Starting 2013 Proud

Shannon Wilkinson, Summit of Mt. St. Helens New Years Day 2013

I’m really proud of myself for how I started 2013. Yesterday, I climbed Mt. Saint Helens, our resident Pacific Northwest live volcano.

But that’s not the whole reason why I’m proud.

I did it solo. My first solo climb in fact.

I’m proud of that, but that’s not really why either.

I’m proud because I . . . → keep reading

Here I Am (New Year or Not)

The clamor of Christmas has quieted, only to be replaced by the clamor of the New Year. (Not) Resolution-making. Goal-creating. Three word-choosing. Theme-picking. Year-reviewing.

I’m feeling an urge to join in, as I have in different ways in years past. To look towards the year ahead and consider what I want it to look like. . . . → keep reading