Life

Dedication

Dedication (Merriam-Webster): Self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty

Whew!! What a definition! Listen, dedication requires heart and commitment. If your heart isn’t in it, consider letting it go. However, if your heart is there, STICK WITH IT!♥️

On this date five years ago (2017), I posted my second blog. Here’s what I wrote in my journal–

Just published my second blog. Some may read it. Some may not. Either way, I have to keep up what I’ve started. We shall see. With God’s help, it’ll be done. Amen

Today’s entry will make 583 consecutive daily posts under It’s Shaun’s World. I’m not sure how many I have in total, which would include my blogs under The Research Diva/I Am LaShaundreaB and Nutrition with LaShaundreaB.

I guess you can say my heart is definitely in it! ~ Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Sometimes we win. Other times we lose.

Sometimes we seize great opportunities. Other times we don’t.

Question

How do you cope – or attempt to cope – when things don’t go as planned? You know, after you have experienced a loss or have been disappointed?

Here’s what I wrote on this date in 2018. It was in response to the following quote — “Things didn’t work out [loss, disappointment, setback] because better things are in the works.”

Facebook Memory: December 18, 2018

Good Morning! We’re two weeks away from 2019!! Can you believe how fast this year passed? It’s crazy! Here’s today’s social media find. I know you may have set goals for this year that didn’t happen. You had it all played out in your mind how this year was going to be “Your Year!” And you feel like it was everything but your year (believe me, I know the feeling). However, from years of experiencing God’s love, mercy and grace, you KNOW better is coming! Things didn’t work out because they weren’t supposed to. Whatever’s coming is going to blow your mind! Y’all know how God loves to show out!!😉💃🏽💃🏽 Here’s the thing, you cannot settle when you’re feeling down. You cannot stop believing because you don’t see anything happening. You must continue to push forward! Y’all, the best God has is on it’s way! Don’t give up!!

I like how I wrote–

“Things didn’t work out because they weren’t supposed to. Whatever’s coming is going to blow your mind!”

Looking back, I am pretty sure I was trying to encourage myself after what I considered a loss or disappointment. Transparent moment: This is one of my ways of coping. It’s how I remain hopeful.

Did it work?

Does it work?

ABSOLUTELY!

Although we still have two weeks left, I am exiting 2022 knowing that some things did not go as planned because they just were not meant to.

AND…

I’m entering 2023 KNOWING (had to make that BOLD because I’m feeling it) better is coming! Amen

Y’all, I am truly thankful for God’s love, mercy and grace. I thank Him for holding me up when I just knew I would fall. I thank Him for holding my heart together when I thought it was shattering. I thank Him for walking with me while I was afraid. I thank Him for encouraging me and restoring my hope, daily. We all know life is not easy. Y’all, I am beyond grateful God is in this thing with me. I’m Blessed

Only two weeks left in 2022! I pray you had an overall amazing year!♥️

Shaun

Life

Positive Thoughts & Vibes

Negativity seems to flow so easily and effortlessly. We don’t have to summon negativity, it just comes. Seems as if it’s always waiting to greet us with open arms, as soon as we open our eyes. Sigh

Today, I encourage you to do what I am doing from this day forward —blocking it! As soon as negativity comes in expecting to be embraced, I am greeting it with positive thoughts— “Today will be a wonderful day! You know why? Because I am going to make it wonderful.” “Life is beautiful.” “I will respond kindly to negative vibes.” “I can do this.” “I am a winner.” “I am a child of God!” “Baby, God’s got me!!” Yesss… shutting it down!

Y’all, we must be intentional about creating positive experiences.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

Feeling Some Kinda Way

Right now I’m supposed to be chatting about Tyler Perry’s Sistas. I started out chatting but my heart just ain’t in it. I’m just not feeling it. Y’all, my heart really hurts.

This morning the world found out Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss took his life. Y’all, I can’t stop crying. I didn’t know the young man. Didn’t watch the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Didn’t even follow him on social media. However, whenever I came across one of his Instagram reels or TikTok videos, he always looked so happy. I loved seeing him dance with his wife and kids. Their smiles always brightened my day. Now he’s gone. And right now I don’t feel like pretending to be happy. Life