<![CDATA[ShawnnaSilvius.com - Awards & Honors]]>Sun, 30 Apr 2023 17:41:47 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[NREDA President's Award Presented to Silvius]]>Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:27:32 GMThttp://www.shawnnasilvius.com/awards--honors/nreda-presidents-award-presented-to-shawnna-silviusPicture
Denver, Colorado, July 15-17, 2015 – A delegation of nearly 100 members of National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) attended the Association's annual conference in Denver, Colorado, July 15-17, 2015 at The Warwick Hotel Denver. Honored at the NREDA Awards Luncheon was Shawnna L. Silvius, “2015 NREDA President’s Award” recipient.   

“Shawnna L. Silvius was chosen for this honor for her service to NREDA on the Public Relations and Marketing Committee and her diligent, creative work on the twice monthly newsletter, the NREDA News Brief.  Shawnna works tirelessly at the annual conferences taking photos, writing articles for the newsletter and working with volunteers to capture the learning components from various presenters and allied partners.  Shawnna is a champion for rural America and stays updated on economic development matters.  She has an eye for information that would be beneficial for members,” stated Rand Fisher, NREDA president.  

The President’s Award recognizes outstanding support of NREDA and its mission and purpose. Recipients are those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their own economic development position, shown leadership through committee work or at the board level and have gone above and beyond in their efforts on NREDA’s behalf to grow rural America.

NREDA is an organization of economic development professionals focused on the issues and opportunities of rural America. It is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of its membership through ongoing education and networking programs, while serving as an information source and conduit for business retention and expansion efforts for NREDA members and the areas they serve. For more information about NREDA visit www.nreda.org or contact NREDA headquarters at (515) 284-1421.
]]><![CDATA[Following the Dream In Your Heart - In Memory of Lady Jane]]>Sun, 25 Jan 2015 04:56:45 GMThttp://www.shawnnasilvius.com/awards--honors/following-the-dream-in-your-heart-in-memory-of-lady-janePicture
After nearly 20 years, I'm finally practicing what I preach. I woke up and turned on Joel Osteen one morning and what he said literally changed my life. I have always love animals and always felt a deep connection to them...I'd go so far as to say, I have a highly intuitive connection in which I've rarely been wrong.

Growing up as a young girl spending the summers with my dad and step mom who is a veterinarian, I've spent a good deal of my younger days inside the clinic, behind the scenes taking in what I could observe and more than anything, trying to give love to the animals in the back room. I thought I wanted to be a vet until I realized I cannot give a shot or do anything (even hold them down if unpleasant) to cause them to feel scared or pain. So I did not pursue a career in animals as I didn't know how I could make a living just loving them. Well, over all my adult years, I've rescued opossums, rabbits, birds, cats and dogs, chickens, squirrels, frogs and toads, fish, even helped herd cattle, pigs and sheep. I willingly and anxiously offer my money to help an animal in need which drives my husband crazy.

So after countless trainings where I share my hearts passions, I finally met my match when someone asked me why I'm not pursuing my hearts passion and doing more for animals. I thought about that for some time, over a year in fact. Then a number of crazy circumstances led me to meet people and learn things that eventually had me trying to educate the community about mistreatment of animals, particularly one dog.

Then my first "rescue cat" entered my life...Lady Jane will always be one of those "identifying moments" when I realized my heart is sure to break a million times but knowing I made her life better at the very end was so worth it...to be there as she took her last breath and ended her tortured life with grace, offering her a loving, warm, embracing touch showing her unconditional love...this I realize IS INDEED my purpose in this life and the legacy I want the world to remember me by.
I had to let Lady Jane go on February 5, 2014 - the 8th anniversary date of the death of my baby brother. It was a double-excruciating day for me, but one that left paw prints on my heart...a senior kitty I first saw in the picture above, then met and brought home for just 2.25 days. I pureed soft food and help feed her as she gagged it down, choking with every swallow...I held her and loved her even though she was so frail and looked mangy. I offered her love in a warm, cozy inside home and I made her feel special. The morning of the 5th, she looked up at me as if to say, "thank you for all you've done, but please end my suffering"...her eyes pierced me like a knife. The lump in my throat and the tears began to pour down my face...she told me she needed me to give her a graceful passing so she could be free from all her illnesses (FELV+ and FIV+, parasites, tumors, and so much more)...my heart melted, my stomach ached, I felt sick to the core because I then knew what I had to do. But I also had to hold onto the moments of grace, love and care I was able to provide. Here she is looking pretty alert. She literally could fall over if the door opened causing a breeze. She was skin and fur.
So Lady Jane became my savior...she showed me the true meaning of possessing a compassionate heart and she opened my eyes to all the injured, ill, neglected, abused, abandoned, stray and homeless animals that I am called to help...and so...I am dedicated to a cause...the enhance and improve the lives of all animals. I've decided that beginning in January 2015, my primary purpose is just this. I'm in the process of setting up a Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation called Homeward Bound Companions. I'm also establishing two ventures that am using to help fund my rescue, care, advocacy and re-homing efforts while also enhancing the lives of animals. I'm pursuing my certification and I will soon be a professional pet sitter through FurPals N Critter Sitters AND I'm helping my 11 year old daughter grow her all natural, healthy pet treat and novelty business, Ali's Critter Cakes & Treats. I'm simply amazed at how so many doors are opening and therefore, I will continue to train people on how to follow their passion and purpose...and I will leave them with "the proof" that it is so much more rewarding! The sparkle in my eyes and the energy I have says it all!

Some of the other animals who've impacted my life the past year...

]]><![CDATA[Live Life On Purpose]]>Wed, 08 May 2013 19:24:13 GMThttp://www.shawnnasilvius.com/awards--honors/live-life-on-purposeAre you living purposefully? or are you stuck in the same daily routine or living life over-committed, over-stressed and.or over-whelmed wondering what you can do to change your life? What is driving you to do what you do day after day? Is there something burning deep in your soul that just won't go away?

If you had no obstacles and you could do anything you wanted, what would you do? What is it holding you back?

I recently came across a quote that sparked deep consideration and thought in me. "Dreams delayed can become a life un-lived" is quoted in the book, Fully Engaged, How to Do Less and Be More by John Busacker. I believe, as does Busacker, that each and every human being is blessed with specific and unique gifts and talents they are created to give and share. You have a dream inside of you that if planted will bloom into something beautiful. Are you following your dream or this nudging? Do you know what it feels like to live on purpose?

As women, we struggle with the various roles we must play - loving and 'present' mother and wife, diligent homemaker, involved and engaged volunteer, dedicated and reliable employee, healthy self, loyal friend, daughter, sister, aunt, etc. I would guess, if you are living up to your and/or others' expectations in one to three of these roles, you are falling short, and maybe severely short in others. So how do we juggle all these roles, meet our expectations and feel satisfied and happy? One key is living life on purpose.

Take the next week to find time to sit in silence for 10 minutes and allow yourself to dream. Find a comfortable, cozy and peaceful place that makes you feel happy, content and relaxed. Grab a notebook or journal and start writing down all the things that bring you joy, especially the things you enjoy doing that bring you joy. Ponder what you would do if money and concerns were not obstacles? So what is the dream inside of you? And how will this dream help you live life on purpose?
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