Shonah Marie – Steady in the Storm

Shonah Marie had a fairly sheltered upbringing, and would now admit that she was quite removed from what she would call real-world issues. However, it wasn’t too long before some very real issues invaded her life.

Shonah is my guest on my podcast, Bleeding Daylight, this week.

I don’t know how people get through tough things like that without community and without Jesus. I just don’t have an answer outside of those two things. – Shonah Marie

It was the tough times that helped her to become the person that she is today but the lessons she learned during those times haven’t been easy.

I could feel God’s heart breaking for what was going on. I could feel his sorrow for what we were going through and learning to sit with Jesus in that empathy was probably the greatest gift. – Shonah Marie

As part of our conversation, we opened a window into her life, discussing her early years living in a very protected environment before finding herself facing struggles she had no idea how to navigate.

I feel like I remained in that childlikeness for quite a long time, which I feel benefited me in some areas in the long run, but also left me somewhat naive and innocent towards how to handle navigating real-world circumstances. I kind of call it the bubble. – Shonah Marie

You can hear Shonah’s story by listening to Bleeding Daylight, wherever you find podcasts, or by clicking play on the audio player below.

She has also written a book that describes her life so far titled Steady in the Storm.



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Putting Alcohol on Hold

The first month of 2011 is over and we’re into the first day of February. It’s also the start of FebFast for thousands of people across Australia.

FebFast is a fundraising campaign that invites people to participate in an alcohol free February, and at the same time raise funds to support organisations working in research, prevention and service delivery concerning the use of alcohol and other drugs by young people.

Our annual health and charity event encourages people to forgo alcohol in February while raising vital money to support young people with alcohol and other drug related issues.

The event creates an opportunity for people to ‘press the pause button’ on their busy lifestyles and create a clear space to plan for a more balanced year ahead.

Over the past three years we have seen more than 10,700 people take up the FebFast challenge to live February alcohol-free. Collectively these people have raised more than $1,700,000.

FebFast funds are distributed to organisations that work to reduce alcohol and other drug related harms amongst young people through research, prevention and service delivery programs.

So what do you think? Could you give up drinking for a month?

I find that whole months can go past without me having a drink anyway. I’m not what you’d call a big drinker. 🙂 I enjoy a glass of red wine now and then and an occasional beer (especially Beez Neez) but I’ve never been drunk.

I wonder how many people would find that they’re more hooked on drinking than they thought if they had to give it up for a month.

What are your thoughts on drinking? Do you only drink to get drunk? Do you prefer not to drink at all? I’d be very interested in your thoughts.



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