Mr. Shannon's Desk

In today's fast-paced world, where sedentary lifestyles and stress often take a toll on our health, finding ways to stay active and rejuvenate our bodies is crucial. One such activity that not only offers a fun and eco-friendly mode of transportation but also provides numerous health benefits is bike riding. Whether you're cycling through scenic trails or commuting to work, hopping on a bike can significantly improve both your physical and mental well-being. Let's delve into the myriad of health benefits that biking has to offer, as well as explore the key differences between road biking and mountain biking. Cardiovascular...

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, procrastination has become an all too familiar foe, lurking in the shadows and thwarting our best intentions. Whether it's putting off that daunting work project or delaying the start of a new exercise routine, the allure of procrastination can be difficult to resist. But fear not! With a deeper understanding of procrastination's roots and a toolbox of effective strategies, you can take charge of your time and conquer the procrastination monster once and for all. Unpacking Procrastination: Why Do We Do It? Fear of Failure: At the heart of procrastination often lies...

A couple of weeks back, I made a commitment to pursue my personal trainer certification. It's surprising to realize that it's taken me this long since I've been helping people with fitness for roughly 30 years now. I always called myself a "motivator" and shunned from the title "trainer" because I never wanted to take on anyone as a client. I just wanted to help people. My passion for fitness traces back to my youth, particularly during those Army days where I first encountered gym equipment. At the tender age of 19, I found myself drawn to working out so that I could score...

Parents often prioritize instilling respect in their children, emphasizing polite greetings, such as saying "hello" when meeting someone new, using "please" and "thank you," and addressing older individuals with formal titles. However, the question arises: Is the use of formal titles equally important within the family unit? Some parents, like myself, are comfortable with their children addressing them by their first names, viewing it as an expression of respect through actions rather than formalities. Today's kids are not yesterdays kids. In contemporary society, there appears to be a significant generation gap regarding the traditional "respect your elders" adage. While respect...

Ok ok... cold weather may not be your thing. And just because I love to snowboard doesn't mean you do. So let's make this article about BEING OUTSIDE!  Need an excuse to get out of the house? Research continues to demonstrate that being outside and experiencing nature can improve our mental health and increase our ability to focus. Many of us are in front of a screen for much of our day — whether that be a computer, TV, or smartphone. As a result, we spend less time outside experiencing the natural world. Here are some reasons why we all...

Us entrepreneurs all have one thing in common: we have the flexibility to choose where we want to work. Working for yourself means that you can decide where and when you want to work within limits of what would benefit your business. However, even startups should be wary of running a business in their own home. While the work from home life sounds dreamy, it may not be the best option. On the bright side, there are other options available without having to commit to a traditional office space. What Jobs Let You Work from Home? Whether you are a startup business or...

When it comes to fitness, working out doesn’t have to mean going out. You don’t need to trek to the gym to get a good workout. You can accomplish plenty without ever leaving the house. Whether you want to build your endurance, increase your strength, burn calories to keep your waistline in check, or do all of the above, you can do it in the comfort of your own home. In fact, the benefits of exercising at home are pretty impressive. IT IS CONVENIENT. Life is hectic, but working out at home makes it easy to fit fitness into your busy lifestyle. There’s no need...

Call us impatient, but here we can’t wait to get ahead of some of the biggest trends spring 2020 has to offer (colorful leather, Bermuda shorts, and polka dots to name a few). But today we’re focusing on skirts—one of the chicest items to mix and match that you can wear year-round. So what’s the biggest skirt trend to look forward to in 2020? While pleated and leather skirts will still be in the limelight, the unexpected denim skirt is back and cooler than ever. From the S/S 20 runways this year, they delighted us with vintage-inspired iterations, keeping with the season’s up-cycled vibe....

Around the 16th century, a story goes that a very bored French Queen decided to create a game in order to entertain herself. She gathered all the men and women in her court and gave them each tasks to carry out. Men were asked to write poetry and songs, and bring chocolates and red roses to the women. On the other hand, women would dress in their finest clothes, and stain their lips and cheeks a shade of red and sing complimentary words to their men. The Queen called this- the game of love. Eventually, these little practices of chivalry...

When it comes to interior decorating black has gotten a bad rap. People tend to think decorating with black is dark and depressing. But this isn't the case. The reality is that at least a little bit of black is essential in every room. It's dramatic, stylish, and provides a grounding effect that is necessary for every interior. Just like a coating of mascara on the eyelashes, black enhances the colors and shapes around it. Black can be used in any room, in any style. Whether it's a sleek and modern couch or geometric patterned rug, or an elegant and...