My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
Learn to see yourself as God sees you, His beautiful creation. What you consider flaws, He considers flawless. What you see as imperfections, He sees as perfect. Be mindful of how you treat yourself. What you say about yourself. When you disrespect yourself, you disrespect God.
Just something to ponder.
Shaun
I have so much on my mind. Trying not to overthink everything and just go with the flow.
About two months ago, my supervisor decided to step down from a project and make me the project lead. It wasn’t something I expected or wanted, but I’m here still trying to adjust. Since I was already doing most of the work, she said I would be able to handle it. Well, I am, because that’s what I do, handle it. But now I have more responsibilities on top of my other projects. I love multitasking. I tend to thrive on it. However, things have become a little overwhelming.
And then there’s the book anthology. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about this new venture and telling my story; however, I’m not as excited as the other authors. I keep trying to pump myself up, but it’s not working. I guess you could say I’m not excited about my part in it all. Listen, don’t misunderstand, I’m excited for the other authors, and I love their excitement, but I don’t share their same feelings. Although the book is about being an overcomer, most of the authors are entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs. So they’re super excited about the opportunity to promote their businesses. Which I completely understand because I was there a few years ago. I was just like them, all enthused and ready to make money! Today I’m in a different space. My goals are more service driven than financial. I enjoy hanging out with them because I love hearing about the services they provide. It’s information I am able to share with others.
Just had to throw this in– Y’all, there are some fascinating people in this world who offer amazing services. I’m always in awe of their stories as well as their services. To me it represents God’s manifestations.
With all of that said, I do have my baby, Mississippi Thriving. I’m so happy I created this social media platform. It allows me to share resources and information with other Mississippians. In my mind, I’m bridging gaps by connecting Mississippians to one another as well as resources and services. It’s my way of giving back.
So what am I going to do?
How do I plan to move forward?
I guess, I’ll do what I always do, go with the flow. My projects will be handled, and I will continue to participate in promotional events for the book. Y’all, I’m trying to get used to the interviews. Ugh! At the end of the day I know that I can always find solace in Mississippi Thriving. Grateful.
Why is my alarm about to go off?!! Ugh!! My life…
Fear. According to the New Oxford dictionary, fear is as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Two years ago I shared the following Facebook post– “Fear is only temporary. Regret lasts forever.”
Fear.
Fear causes anxiety. It causes people to make irrational decisions. It creates chaos. It paralyzes. It is the root cause of hatred. Fortunately, fear is only temporary; however, it can cause a lifetime of harm and pain. Listen, if it is not addressed or managed, it can be deadly.
Yesterday we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Ruby Bridges becoming the first African American student to integrate newly desegregated schools in the South. Y’all, little Ruby was only six years old when she took her historic walk through a crowd of hatred. Can you imagine the fear she must have felt walking through an angry mob just to attend school? It reminds me of Psalm 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Talk about POWERFUL! And let’s not forget the unfounded fear of the angry mobsters. Why were they so afraid?
Well, here we are 60 years later and some of those people and/or their children are still alive. Many attended school with Ruby. Some attended schools where other African American students were the first to integrate. I wonder if any of them regret their actions, anger, or fear, or are they still holding on to it and passing it along to other generations?
Here is my prayer. I pray God calms all of our fears so that we are able to think clearly, move forward, and live our best lives. Living in fear is not only detrimental to our health but to the survival of humanity.
Be Blessed
Shaun
I was 19 years old when I joined the Air Force. Believe me, I had no idea of what I had gotten myself into; however, I knew I had to do something. At the time, I was heartbroken, too grown to continue living with my mother, and I was failing my first semester of college. Yeah.. I needed to do something. So I spontaneously joined the Air Force. Really! I put no real thought into it. As Nike says, “Just do it!” Well.. I did it!
Up until my first full day of basic training, I had no clue of what I had done. I had actually signed eight years of my life away– four active and four inactive, and it was all because I wanted to get away from home. Little did I know that I was giving up my freedom for the sake of others. That at anytime within those eight years I could possibly go to war. So no, I did not join because I was patriotic, I joined to get away.
Anyhoo.. It was during basic training that I discovered my true strengths and weaknesses. For instance, I had no idea my left arm was so strong! Well, I found out my first night/early morning at basic training. You see, my recruiter told me I needed to pack for basic training and technical school (which was to come afterwards). And pack I did! I brought two bags with me, one of which contained laundry detergent and an iron. I had clothes, makeup, shoes and purses. For some reason I had packed like I was going on vacation instead of boot camp. For years I blamed the recruiter when in reality it was all me! All Shaun!! I was like, “I’m not buying stuff I already have.” Too funny! Well, I paid for it.
That night (which was the only time) my training instructor/drill instructor got in my face and yelled at me. She asked me what was I thinking bring all that s**t with me. Y’all, I was soooo embarrassed. I was this 5’1 3/4”, 100 lb, sleep-deprived female being yelled at by a woman at least twice my size– okay, might be over exaggerating, but just a little–in front of over 100 airmen in my section. There were even more airmen further down. Well, of course I wasn’t the only one being yelled at, but it sure felt like it. As I said, I had no idea my left arm was so strong. She made me pick up both of my bags with my left hand and carry them around the building (which I later learned we were already at the entrance but they had to make everything DRAMATIC) and up five flights of stairs without dropping or dragging them. She put me at the end of the line because she didn’t want me “holding up” her line. That was the day I learned to pack light. Carryon luggage, only! Bae-bé, I can pack several days in a carryon. Skills!!
I have so many other stories about my eight weeks at Lackland AFB. To this day, I have no desire to revisit San Antonio. That one stay was enough. Overall, I am so grateful for the experience. Joining the military was like extending my family. The people I worked with, lived with, went clubbing and church with, toured with, all become part of my family. As many of you know, Ramstein, Germany was my first duty station. I knew absolutely no one when I got off the plane. However, I was greeted with so much love and camaraderie. Everyone, from my Chief to my roommate, made sure I had everything I needed. They were my family.
I could write sooo much more, but I don’t have time. Maybe one day I’ll write my memoirs. I’m so grateful God granted me that opportunity and experience. So grateful for all of the wonderful people I met along the way. We really had some good times.
For the past few years I have celebrated Veterans Day with my little sister, who served in the Navy. This year, because of COVID-19, and a few other things, I won’t be able to spend it with her. Our ritual is to get as many freebies as possible. We usually spend the entire day hitting up one restaurant after another. It’s pretty awesome, and even more awesome because we spend the day with our fellow veterans. So I am dedicating this blog to her. Thank you for your service, Shartese! And you too, Sarah!! She’s my other little sister who served in the Army but acts like she didn’t. Lol!
Happy Veterans Day to my fellow veterans; and from one vet to another, thank you so much for your service!
Shaun
Today’s a new day! Time to get up and get going. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised. Stay present and always stay focused.
Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way. Remember, you have control over what you allow into your space. Take time for a little self-care. Turn off the television. Log off social media. And relax. Meditate. Stream a good movie or show. Read a good book. Dance. Take a walk. Play a game. Love on your family and friends.
Listen, life is short, and stress literally kills. So please do something that makes your soul happy and your heart smile. Remember– You matter!
As always, this message is for me, too. Believe me, every time I write something inspirational in the morning, I always have to reference it a few hours later. Lol! Guess that’s how God works.
Staying present. Positive vibes, only!
Shaun
Equality
What’s At Stake
Equity
Human Rights
Civil Rights
Justice
Civility
Compassion
Empathy
Love
Hope
Humanity
If you notice, I did not mention religion. God is …
Today’s Election Day!
VOTE!
Shaun
Today is the first Sunday of the month and the first day of November. Which means today is extra special– new beginnings all around!
Today’s blog is very short…
Stay focused on God– not others, or your surroundings, or your situation– God. Anytime negativity comes into your space, set your focus on Him. If you don’t remember anything else, remember– God’s got you!
Praying these last two months of 2020 bring you love, joy, peace and indescribable happiness. You deserve it!
Shaun
Evolve – develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form
Oxford Languages
Evolution is necessary for growth and sustainable success. Times are changing. Mindsets are changing. Technology is forever changing. What once was the best way of doing things 10-20 years ago, no longer works well today.
This is also true with relationships. What once was, no longer is. Meaning, we change, we evolve. Unless you live in a bubble, or are dead set in your beliefs and ways, admit it, you have change. Think about it, there are things you enjoyed years ago that you no longer enjoy today. This is the same with relationships. Most of us love the person we first met. Something drew us to them and things just clicked. However, over time, the relationship became a little more complex. We began to notice our differences in personalities and preferences. Then one of us, if not both, began to change and grow– evolve.
Believe me, evolution can be difficult to accept in relationships especially when you are not growing together. In the end, it is up to us to decide whether or not we accept the other person’s change or resist it. Caution– resistance will cause problems, even result in failed relationships. Honestly, when you think about relationships they are no different than businesses and companies. When businesses and companies do not evolve, they fail. So, if you are in a relationship (any kind of relationship) where someone is evolving, ask yourself if you are willing to accept their evolution or resist it. Just know that resisting it might be the end of your relationship, or the end of what once was.
If you are not evolving, believe me, someone around you is. Face it, evolution is inevitable. You can either accept it or resist it.
Note for those evolving– Evolve! Even if it risks relationships, evolve! You owe it to yourself and God, not to remain the same.
Shaun
Wednesday is the apex of a typical work week. Y’all, I live for Wednesdays. Especially Wednesdays after 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays make me feel like no matter what Thursdays or Fridays hold, I will make it.
With that said, I know Wednesday does not have the same meaning for everyone. And for many, it is not the apex of their work week. It’s just another day. You see, I was a shift worker throughout my active duty career. When I worked eight-hour shifts, they were a mixture of day shifts, swing shifts, and mid shifts. Twelve-hour shifts were either 12 hour days or nights. I never had a consistent schedule or many weekends off, so I longed for regular work weeks. I longed to feel normal. So today, I am grateful for this privilege. So grateful for Wednesdays.
It’s the little things that makes me smile and Wednesdays make me smile.
Shaun
Trust the timing of your life.
Trust your intuition.
Trust your journey.
– Author Unkown
I saw this quote on Facebook this morning. It reminded me of my life and my journey.
Trust the timing of your life…
Around the end of August I was invited to write a chapter in a book anthology. I said yes before I could talk myself out of it. I knew if I thought about it, even for a second, I would have said no. This year I promised myself that when opportunities presented themselves, opportunities that I knew I was capable of but afraid of doing, I would do them. I guess you can say I am finally seizing opportunities. Carpe diem!
Trust your intuition…
If it does not feel right, I am not going to do it. Period! My chapter is about my marriage and divorce. So far I have written several versions of the story. Some are more detailed than others. Right now, I am not sure which one to submit. Although it is my story, it also involves my ex-husband. I do not care how our relationship ended, and this is with any relationship, I refuse to publicly humiliate a person. We all have flaws and issues. Umm… Just thinking… this is probably the reason it took me over four years to get a divorce. I refused to be ugly. Ugh! Okay… enough about this.
Trust your journey…
Going with the flow and allowing God to lead. As we all have seen with 2020, life is so unpredictable. No matter what comes or goes, I must always remember that I am in God’s hands, and He is always in control. Whatever He has planned for my future is meant for my good. I will always be victorious!
Well, that’s all I have. Wishing you a fabulous Sunday! Remember to trust the timing of your life, trust your intuition, and trust your journey. God’s got you!
Be Blessed
Shaun
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