By Shannon Wright

In true Shannon fashion, I’ve procrastinated on writing my very first opinion article. I’m not exactly sure why but maybe it’s fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgment… probably both. But here I am now, finally facing those fears and stepping into something new.

As I write this, I’m sitting in the labor and delivery waiting room, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my very first grandbaby. I’m about to take on a new title: Shanny. It’s a moment that has me deeply reflective about life, motherhood, and the long, winding and often chaotic path that’s brought me here.

This has already been the best summer of my life, and it’s only just begun, but just a couple of years ago, my world was very different. I was in a dark place. I had made some pretty big mistakes, lost sight of myself, and honestly wasn’t sure how I would ever dig myself out of my situation… but I did. Not because I had all the answers, but because I made a DECISION to change. 

I’m not writing this to brag. I’m writing this to remind you that no matter how hopeless your situation feels, it can and will get better with a little effort, and a lot of faith. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be better than you were yesterday. Make a plan. Work that plan. Accept that you’ll make mistakes but keep moving forward anyway. That’s the secret. Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize you’re not the same person anymore. You’re stronger. Wiser. Better. Free.

Here’s the hard part, though… and this is the part most people don’t talk about. Real change starts with facing yourself. Taking full accountability. Looking in the mirror and admitting your role in where you are. It’s uncomfortable. It’s painful. It’s gut-wrenching if you want me to be completely candid! But it’s absolutely necessary.

If you want to be a leader in your family or in your community and if you want to be a light for someone else, then you’ve got to start with truth. Your truth. Then make the decision to change. Then make a plan to change. Then, and only then, get busy doing the work.

I’ll be honest, it won’t be easy. Some people won’t understand. You might lose friends. People might say you’re being too hard on yourself, or that you’ve changed. (You have and that’s the point!) They’ll tell you to have more fun or say they liked you better before. You’ll second-guess yourself. But please don’t give in.

The only way to the other side is through.

Being a mom to two grown kids has been the greatest joy of my life. I’d do it all again, even the tough years. And now, as I step into this next chapter as “Shanny,” I carry every lesson, every failure, and every comeback with me. I’m proud of who I’ve become. And more than anything, I want to use my story to remind you that change is possible.

Forgive yourself. Learn from your past. And make it your mission to use your pain to help someone else.

That’s how we light the way forward.

(Shannon Wright is a realtor and digital journalist for the Webster Parish Journal.)