The Courage to Keep Becoming Yourself
Some people inspire us because they’ve always had it figured out.
Others inspire us because they’ve had to figure it out—over and over again.
A recent conversation with Sharon Harvey, founder of Shakes and Ladders in Cygnet, served as a powerful reminder that life isn't about getting everything right on the first try. It’s about having the courage to keep evolving.
Sharon has worn more hats than most people could imagine: business owner, business coach, mother, volunteer, community builder, and health advocate. Along the way, she’s navigated financial highs and lows, heartbreak, and serious health challenges—including the frightening reality of being told she had brain tumors and would need a permanent brain shunt.
Yet, one specific moment from our conversation continues to stand out.
The Question That Changes Everything
Faced with a terrifying diagnosis, Sharon asked her medical team a simple, transformative question:
"How can I help myself?"
She wasn't rejecting medicine. She simply understood a fundamental truth: healing isn't something that just happens to us—it's something we actively participate in.
Instead of allowing a diagnosis to define her, Sharon slowly rebuilt her life around what truly mattered.
Today, she has created a physical space that reflects exactly who she is. At Shakes and Ladders, people might walk in for a nutritious shake, a beautiful pre-loved outfit, or a houseplant, but they often leave with something far more valuable: connection.
It isn't just a business—it’s community, conversation, and a sense of belonging.
Intentional living isn't about creating a perfect life.
It's about paying attention.It means paying attention to:
What actively gives you energy
What no longer fits where you're going
The person you genuinely want to become
Redefining What It Means to Succeed
There was a time when success for Sharon looked like luxury handbags, frequent travel, and chasing the next big milestone.
Today, her definition looks entirely different:
Yesterday's SuccessToday's SuccessLuxury status symbolsHaving enough time for her childrenHitting external milestonesBeing present when her family needs herHigh-pressure targetsBuilding a business she looks forward to walking into every morningAccumulationHelping someone rebuild their wardrobe with pre-loved fashionIndividual achievementWatching strangers become friends over a smoothie
It is a vastly different definition of success—and arguably, a far richer one.
Becoming Aligned, Not AccumulatedThrough the Project Emerald Collective, one lesson keeps coming into focus: the women who seem most fulfilled aren't the ones who have accumulated the most. They’re the ones who have become the most aligned with themselves.
They’ve stopped chasing someone else’s benchmark and started listening to their own internal compass.
Maybe that’s what intentional living truly is. It isn't about constantly adding more to our lives. It's simply about becoming more of who we already are.
In This Episode, We Explore:
Sharon’s Journey: Navigating illness, entrepreneurship, and motherhood.
Resilience Under Fire: What serious health challenges teach us about inner strength.
The Power of Community: Why local connection matters now more than ever.
Sustainable Joy: Finding delight in pre-loved fashion and simple habits.
Redefining Success: How shifting priorities reshapes a meaningful life.
A Final Thought
As you move through your week, consider this single question:
What would your life look like if you stopped trying to become someone else... and simply became more yourself?
Enjoyed this story?
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