What’s one piece of travel advice you always follow?
Patience is something I always keep at the forefront of my mind when traveling. Whether I’m running behind (cause it happens), or unforeseen things happen (they just appear out of nowhere!), I always remind myself to be patient. There could be something I’m being protected from, or God just wants me to sit in that moment and take in everything around me. There are so many beautiful things to witness when we sit still.
Now, I’m not saying I’m always patient, but about 95-98% of the time I am, and everything works out just fine.
Two extra pieces of advice. Always carry cash (even if it’s only a $20 bill), and have snacks on hand—crackers, popcorn, nuts, trail mix, something to eat—because patience goes out the window when you’re hangry!😮💨
Anyhoo…
Those are my tips for traveling.
Oh… one more! Always keep an extra pair of underwear in your purse, backpack, or carry-on. Always!
Mara Brock Akil (television producer and writer) posted a video about how the television and film industries are changing, just as the world around us is changing. She believes this change is a good thing and necessary, and so do I. In the video, she says the old ways of doing things are slowly dying, giving us the chance to shape the future we want to see. And I couldn’t agree more!
I believe we are here in this time and space for a purpose. It’s not to sit, watch things happen, or complain, but to shape and create the future we want to see. We’ve been tasked with doing what no other generation could do, and what future generations need us to do. If you’re unsure of your task, assignment, or purpose, ask God to reveal it to you. From experience, it’s associated with something you’re already passionate about doing, or that lifelong dream you just can’t shake.
As God’s children, I believe everything we touch is a song, and we have been tasked with creating something meaningful and beautiful. What we create today will not only enhance our lives but also sustain future generations.
Sooo… Are you on board with shaping our new future—with shaping the world you want to see?
This is all I have for now. I pray you have a relaxing day. May it be peaceful and filled with joy.♥️
Father God, please send peace to those who are hurting and comfort to those who are grieving. Let your love cover them so they’ll forget the pain. Bring healing to those who need healing. Give hope to those who are struggling to see a way out of whatever they’re facing. Please guide them through the unknown. Prayers for protection from unforeseen harm.
This morning I woke up with Whitney Houston’s I Didn’t Know My Own Strength playing over and over in my head. Truthfully, how I have made it thus far is a blur. As I look back over my adulthood, I’m amazed at how many challenges I encountered and actually overcame.
Just finished reading the post that’s quoted and linked above. It’s a post I shared on this day five years ago (October 13, 2021). Smiling through tears (happy tears) because I made it through some really tough times. When I tell y’all I am so very blessed. If you need a little inspiration, click the Wednesday Writings link in the quote above. Listen, life does get better.
Yes, life does get better. I refuse to believe otherwise.
Five years ago, I was listening to Whitney Houston’s, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” The song says—
I didn’t know my own strength And I crashed down, and I tumbled But I did not crumble I got through all the pain I didn’t know my own strength Survived my darkest hour My faith kept me alive I picked myself back up Hold my head up high I was not built to break I didn’t know my own strength
Last year, I shared the following quote/image that I had saved to my phone on October 11, 2020.
I’m pretty sure that when I saved the picture I was all revved up…
Hold on! Let me go see how I was feeling that day. Gonna check my journal to see if I mentioned anything.
Wow!! I didn’t find what I was looking for, but found a gem instead.
Quick note: This is a glimpse of my writing process in real time. I start off writing about one thing, then in mid thought, stop to see if I have an experience to add to what I’m writing. Sometimes I don’t, but many times I do, whether I mention the experience or not.
Here’s the gem I found:
October 11, 2020 Shaun’s Journal Entry
Sarah Jakes Roberts “Dig Until You Get Back To Power”
Power and unbelief can live in the same place. It doesn’t mean you don’t have power, you just have to keep striking at the unbelief. God does not take back the power He’s given you because of your unbelief. You have to keep digging until you tap that power.
Sometimes we’re anointed to do something but accustomed to doing another. Sometimes what we are accustomed to shows up instead of our anointing.
Unbelief and disbelief aren’t the same thing. Disbelief means you don’t believe in something that has happened. Unbelief means you don’t believe in something never done before. When you have unbelief it’s the opportunity to believe on another level. Now is the time to grow my belief. Amen.
A whole sermon! Didn’t know I needed this message today until now. God is so good. I just love the way He loves me!
This is all for now. I am so blessed. I pray you have a wonderful Sunday. May it be filled with lots of love, harmony, and blessings.♥️
For a few days now, I’ve been dreading this day because I didn’t know how my emotions would be when I woke up. Would I be sad? Would I grieve? Would it just be another day? Well, today I woke up feeling neither sad nor grieving. However, after scrolling through my Facebook memories, I decided to share my experience from seven years ago.
On October 5, 2019, my brother celebrated his 46th birthday. Several days later, he was admitted to ICU, and about a week or so after that, he was gone.
While checking my Facebook memories to see if I had made a birthday post on that day, I saw the post below and decided to share it. Y’all, this particular post drove my anxiety level through the roof! I logged off social media afterward because I was so overwhelmed. You know how you can feel something is about to happen, but can’t pinpoint what? Well, that’s where I was. The caption in the post kind of explains what I was experiencing.
October 5, 2019
The confusion and tears were so real.😔
Here’s what I shared in my journal entry on the same day:
Oh, today and sometime last week, the “Everything happens for a reason” popped up on social media. When I mentioned it today, I only referred to this particular time period. About an hour ago, I remembered that this year started off with the song by Zhane, “Reasons.” For about a month, it was my theme song. I couldn’t get it out of my head. Now, here I am, close to the end of 2019, and I’m hearing it again. God is working.
In the post, I used the hashtag #GodIsWorking, and as you can see, I ended my journal entry with “God is working.” Even though I was experiencing anxiety like crazy, I still believed that everything that was happening—and, unbeknownst to me, would later happen—was still under God’s control. I trusted whatever God was doing.
Now, here I am seven years later…
A lot has happened in seven years. Y’all, I’m sooooo glad I stopped hearing Zhané’s song “For A Reason.” Talk about traumatized every time I heard it after my brother’s death.
Oh, and I had forgotten to mention that my mom (not my brother’s mom) was admitted to the hospital the day before. What a crazy time that was!
My thoughts are still the same today as they were back then— “Rest assured, God’s got you [us]. He already has everything worked out. Just trust Him.”
The other hashtag I must mention before I end is the last one in my post— “Your purpose is too great to give up.” Whew! Talk about powerful! I had no idea what was coming. I’m so grateful I didn’t give up!
Today’s going to be a beautiful day because God is in it and still in control. Despite everything that happened seven years ago, I still trust God and His plan.
I pray you have a wonderful day and week. May both be filled with love, joy, and peace.♥️
If you watched and loved the original A Different World back in the ‘80s, you’ll definitely love the reboot on Netflix. The creators and producers did an excellent job of blending the storylines of both worlds. Watching it felt nostalgic but also new. The original characters made the show feel like home, while the new characters offered a breath of fresh air.
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