Let's not be strangers...
I'm Shannon - lover of dancing, granola, and sunsets - phobic of lima beans and frogs. And I'm so happy to connect with you!
Align began with the intention of creating more space in life. Space to respond to the adventures of life rather than the dictations of a corporation. Space to greet the people in my life with love and presence rather than exhaustion. My hope is that Align will also bring this gift of space to your life.
Through experience in document control, small business office management, and banking I discovered I have a precise eye for detail and an ability to bring order to chaos. After serving for over 5 years in the banking world, I also discovered the stress small business owners feel in managing their finances. In listening to their stories I saw the opportunity to use my thoroughness in a more valuable way while also building deeper relationships with those I serve. From here the vision for Align Bookkeep unfolded
MY STORY ...
Our stories shape our lives, giving us the gumption to go against the grain and set out on our own. I'd love to share mine with you and I look forward to hearing yours as well!
Like most, my story is both messy and beautiful, full of twists and turns and still very much in process. One of those sharp twists came in a decade-long healing journey through the maze of chronic Lyme Disease. In the midst of the chaos, I found an unexpected gift - the gift of time.
At the tender age of 21 I found myself navigating the fear, pain, confusion, and flood of emotions that come with a health crisis. I was finishing student teaching, graduating from Texas A&M University with honors and this was NOT part of my 5-year plan, AT ALL,
I'd love to say I accepted this gracefully, but that would be a lie. I'll be real - there were ugly tears and grown-up tantrums and denial and trying harder. And then... eventually... slowly releasing my control, too exhausted to cling anymore. No longer could I push through - filling my calendar, checking off my to-do list, achieving, feeling productive and, well... worthwhile. My body literally called a time out!
This ushered in a long season of slowing down - eventually surrendering, resting, letting go, and trusting. Life got quiet. And in the quiet, I found peace. In losing all that I clung to and defined as "me", I stumbled upon a deeper part of my heart, my most authentic self. She was there all along, I just had to slow down enough to hear her. From the ashes came this beautiful gift.
My perspective on time has forever changed, awakening my heart to the tender, beautiful moments present every single day if I only slow down to savor them rather than rush past. As my body healed and I re-entered the hectic pace of everyday life the inward pull to create a life in alignment with this new perspective remained persistent. It took a few years of waiting and planning but the pieces came together in the form of Align Bookkeep.
#slowitdown