Who Is Shannon?

When I book a tutorial with a mentor, I receive an email notification from Shannon. “Who is Shannon?” I ask myself. Perhaps I’ve seen Shannon, maybe she’s a mentor and I’ve foolishly forgotten her. I check the SCA website. No Shannon in sight.

Ok, so Shannon isn’t a mentor. Then maybe she only works digitally, like the lovely Vanessa who runs the behind the scenes with the equally lovely Marcia. Ah, I don’t see a Shannon on our messaging service Slack either. Then who is Shannon?

I think further: maybe Shannon used to work here and the system needs updating. Yes, that’s it, that must be the logical answer. Except, there’s one problem… I’m not logical. Perhaps, in some sort of strange world like this one, Shannon is a part of my conscience. Maybe there is no Shannon and I simply make it all up every time I book a session with a mentor. But why would I do that?

I look at the lamp in my room and wonder: what’s the difference between me and the lamp? The lamp sits here, and I sit here. The lamp stays a lamp all day and I stay me all day. Then it hit me… I’m Shannon… you’re Shannon… we’re all Shannon! We all seek validation, we all crave acknowledgment, we all want to be seen! Every time I book a session, every time I click that button confirming a 20 minute window with a creative, I really just want to say to myself “WELL DONE! YOU DID IT! YOU DID SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE TODAY”.

That’s who Shannon is: she’s the part of us that loves to see us do something, anything, that changes the course of our lives. Shannon congratulates me when I push a button to wait for the green man. Shannon says “nice one” when I decide to buy broccoli instead of peas. Shannon pats you on the back when I simply make a decision, as if to say “you’re a human, you make choices, and that’s beautiful” because no other living thing on this planet can do it quite like us!

So that must be it. Shannon is all-seeing, all-hearing, all-knowing… Shannon is god.

By the way, I’m raising funds for my new nature documentary: finding Shannon, all proceeds go our lord and saviour, Shannon.

I’m also designing an app called “Shannon” where you get a notification that says “nice” any time you do anything on your phone.

(Shannon if you’re reading this, I apologise and wish the best for you).

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