What Is the American Dream? Shawna Coronado Proves It Is More Than You Think!

Today we are pleased to welcome a local web celebrity, Shawna Lee Coronado! A successful online entrepreneur specializing in green lifestyle living, Shawna Lee Coronado is also an author, locally syndicated newspaper columnist, blogger, energetic speaker, and environmental and health correspondent. Shawna’s business experience has helped her spread the positive health and simple living message she is so passionate about; she has readers in over 22 countries, over 10,000 followers on Twitter, appeared on national media, and is about to launch an international business built on “Making a Difference” for community on a global scale. Shawna was gracious enough to write about her journey to find the American Dream, and after you are done reading please go to www.thecasualgardener.com to learn more about Shawna’s inspiring message.

Shawna Coronado, the Casual Gardener

What is the American Dream? In my mind one phrase stands out – “the pursuit of happiness.” Many feel that living the American Dream is living wealthy; gathering an ever increasing pile of toys, things, and stuff which represents personal achievement and happiness. Yet, when you learn that over three billion humans – almost half the people in the world – live on less than $2.50 per day, you begin to see that “stuff” is ridiculously unimportant.

In fact, poverty on our globe is so predominant, an estimated 25,000 children die each day due to poverty and nearly a billion people entered the 21st century without the ability to read a book or even sign their names. Why, then, do we as Americans demand and crave so much all of the time? The pressure we put on ourselves to obtain more wealth, more stuff, more happiness has led to a society suffering from illness caused by stress.

Indeed, this mindset nearly killed me. In 1997, I was a single mother. Success and happiness were my personal goals and I, like millions of us every day, felt it had more to do with wealth and “stuff” than with personal satisfaction. However, stress was causing both my physical and emotional health to spiral out of control. Each day was controlled by chronic bronchitis and migraine headaches brought on by allergy triggered sinus infections and extreme stress. High blood pressure, constant back and head pain, as well as weekly doctor and emergency room visits were the norm. Insisting that my health was outside of my control, I demanded the doctors cure me with a pill, yet nothing worked.

Shawna in 1995

Rebuilding my family became an important life-step. I remarried in 1999, and together with my husband purchased a home and continued to enjoy a six figure income. Although I grew up on a farm, it was not until the spring of 2002, at age 36, that I finally built a garden. Discovering nature was joyful and motivating. It made me feel better than ever. Surprised, I learned that happiness was not always about money.

Continuing to work long hours, my health worsened and I was diagnosed with a severe and life-threatening case of anemia. My asthma exploded as well, and one day I collapsed on the ground unable to breathe. When my boss demanded I spend more time at the office, I knew my life had to change or I was going to die. I walked off the job and never looked back. Riding home that day, I finally realized what my priorities were in life. It was not stress, or money, or stuff; it was love, and life, and family.

From that day on, nature became my refuge and allowed me to take control of my health. Blood pressure lowered, muscles strengthened, and I felt better emotionally as well as physically. Neighbors hired me to help them with gardening and simple living. Writing was the next step, and I soon became a locally syndicated newspaper columnist. Since the day I left my stressful job years ago, I have completely changed my life. My loved ones and health are the greatest parts of my life. Having a perfect house, lots of money, and lots of toys is not.

One day I opened my back gate and realized I had sixty feet of public walking path which thousands of people pass by every week. This inspired me to transition from gardening exclusively for myself, to building a community garden for my neighbors. Every time I walk out beyond the fence, I am rewarded with hugs. My neighbors are appreciative of my efforts and leave me love letters and gifts. Connecting with the community has made a powerful impression on me and now the garden stretches over two hundred feet and has taken over my neighbor’s property as well.

Shawna Coronado in 2009 picking vegetables at her front lawn vegetable garden.

Making a difference within my community soon became as imperative to my health as eating right and getting exposure to nature. It was ultimately this community experience that inspired me to write Gardening Nude, a book about living a green and simple lifestyle. Downsizing and living greener, I am convinced, saved my life. While I still have health concerns, I have gone from taking over a dozen prescriptions per day, down to only two prescriptions per day. Every day I feel better, and my life is filled with family and love. My professional career of writing and keynote speaking is focused wholly on being able to inspire others to live better as well. Inspiring readers in 22 countries, I have a large online following. Living this new life, a successful life where I am making a global impact and helping others, is amazingly satisfying.

It is true that I live without as many extras as I used to have, but I feel far wealthier. Living life satisfied with what you have instead of forever wanting more is a far more rewarding way to live. I AM living the American Dream of happiness. It is not about being rich in money – it is about being knee-deep in family, community, hard work, love, and of course, garden.