KISH: Tell us about you
I am a communicator and influencer who is intentional about making a positive difference in people’s lives. My career path has been one of service in the fields of hospitality, transportation and higher education. Most recently, I became a cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor which allowed me to write and publish my first book, ‘Destiny in Disguise’. I am also the founder of ‘I Choose To Bloom’ which is a ministry, mindset and a movement with a message of hope, health and healing.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Shannan: My dream is that the ‘I Choose To Bloom’ brand and ministry will inform, instruct, influence and inspire lives in tangible and intangible ways. It is my desire to educate, edify and empower with the messages and practical information contained in ‘Destiny in Disguise’, through my blogs housed on www.ichoosetobloom.com and my video messages shared on social media channels.
Currently, I provide a social media platform for survivors and Brave Warriors to share their story in order to inform and inspire others about major life challenges that they have overcome or are currently experiencing. ‘Warrior Wednesday’ is my weekly featured stories of courageous men and women who are, or have, experienced sickness or other major life challenges. The goal is to acknowledge, applaud and affirm their bravery during and after the journey, while inspiring readers with messages of hope, resilience and courage.
Another significant dream is to brighten people’s day by sending a surprise floral arrangement or gift basket with an encouraging card. When I was a cancer patient, I received timely, thoughtful and touching greeting cards and flowers. It made me think of the many people in the world who may never receive a thoughtful surprise floral arrangement or gift basket. I wanted to make sure Brave Warriors battling sickness or courageously doing life while dealing with great difficulty are celebrated and encouraged during their journey. These special deliveries are international to ensure that my focus and reach extends beyond the local community and connections. My hope is to gain the support of floral sponsors who will help me enhance people’s life experience with a special surprise.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Shannan: I am not easily impressed by the things that many would consider stupendous or successful. Instead, I am inspired, intrigued and impressed by people who are showing up in the world in authentic ways and bravely doing life with the resources at their disposal while choosing to make a difference. Consequently, I felt that my dreams of enhancing and impacting lives would enable me to acknowledge those kinds of people who may not be significant to others, but to me, they are the real Brave Warriors in life.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Shannan: Quite frankly, sometimes I get in the way of the pursuit during the moments when I doubt my ability to reach the lives that I am supposed to. However, I have a solid support system and a faith walk with the Lord that allows me to get back on track in order to passionately pursue my destiny driven dreams and desires.
Secondly, I have not yet received the response that I had hoped for when I initially requested floral sponsors. While I was able to bless and brighten people’s day in Jamaica, Orlando, Canada and England, I am not yet able to provide these surprise floral arrangements and gift baskets when I hear of a situation and I instinctively want to do something tangible to provide encouragement. However, I believe that in time, others will come alongside to help me with this vision as they recognize how wonderful it is to brighten someone’s life.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Shannan: At the age of 17 years old, I lost my father to cancer. His death at 42 years old became my main motivation to live a passionate purpose-driven life. In 2020, during the covid-19 global pandemic, I lost 2 cancer warriors who were my sister friends while I was going through my own cancer journey. Their departure weeks apart became added fuel that fanned the flame of fervency and urgency regarding the pursuit and execution of my dreams. On challenging days when I feel down, discouraged or doubtful, I imagine my heavenly cheerleaders, daddy Rev. Eric Lewis, Pastor Lace Taylor and Pastor Michelle Reynolds. Their memories and others help to keep me focused and inspired when the challenges of life become overwhelming and daunting.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Shannan: Dream in color! Be bold, daring and audacious with your dreams because you never know which ones will actually become a reality. I had no way of knowing that a leukemia and lymphoma cancer diagnosis would result in my first book being published and my ministry being launched. I always knew that I was a writer but had no idea what message would become the written text. My encouragement to the reader is simply this; do not be too quick to doubt, dismiss, discard or delay your dreams. You owe it to yourself, your past experiences, your future and the world to investigate and invest in your dreams. There are things in this life that only you are equipped to do, so get on with the business of learning, navigating and actualizing so that your dreams will deliver all that they are meant to accomplish.
