My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
Today’s a new day – Smile! Can’t you hear Kirk Franklin’s I Smile? Well, I can! Lol
Y’all, smiling does something for my soul. It makes me feel alive. It makes me feel hopeful. It makes me feel loved.
When I smile— I am present. I am in sync with the world. I am loved. Yes.. I am loved.
Self-love. It falls right beneath God’s love. Y’all, there is nothing like it. I have discovered that when you love yourself, smiling comes naturally.
So, I smile.
Shaun
Grateful
Thankful
Blessed
Loved
and
Humbled
Sometimes you may feel like what is will always be. Not so! Trust God and keep believing. He is working. He is always working.
Here is my blog from this day a year ago: June 17, 2019. Even in the midst of my doubts, God was still working.
Grateful
Thankful
Blessed
Loved
and
Humbled
Shaun
Feeling a bit frustrated with my hair. About two years ago, I decided to say goodbye to my short, relaxed hair and go natural. It was not my first time going natural. In 2011, I decided to try the natural thing and was natural for about three years. Then one day I woke up and relaxed my hair. I hate to say it, but I am at that point again. Ugh!!
When I was natural before, I allowed my hair to grow out. Which allowed me to wear it in different styles. This time, I decided to keep it short. Then COVID-19 happened and I could not get it cut. Plus, when I was getting it cut, my haircuts were never consistent. Y’all, I am so cheap when it comes to getting my hair done. Mainly because I do not have the patience to sit in a hair salon for more than 30 minutes. So, whoever could get me in and out in less than 30 minutes was who I went to. Anything longer was a waste of my time. Again, I do not have that kind of patience, which is the main reason I decided to keep it short. What I failed to realize is that short hairstyles are just as high maintenance because they require frequent haircuts. It is like I cannot win when it comes to my hair. What am I to do???
I guess things would be different if I wore wigs, braids or locs. But I have never worn them. They look cute on other people, but probably would not look cute on me. Plus, they require time and patience. Y’all, I do not even have the patience to try to find a wig. I really feel hopeless. I am honestly considering putting this box of Dark & Lovely in my hair. I have had it on standby for two years, now. Hmm…. Wonder if relaxers expire. Lol.
On another note, did I mention how much I spend on products? Y’all, I spend so much money on products. People are always recommending one product or another. I try them, then find myself back where I am today– feeling hopeless.
I am trying very hard to stay natural because my hair is so much healthier, now. It is also thicker and I have less breakage. All of the things that I loved the first time around. However, the maintenance is too much. Y’all, I need help! FOR REAL!
Shaun
Hellooooo Sunday! Y’all, in 10 days I will be 47! Like.. really.. almost 50. Like, almost half a decade! WHAT?! Y’all, I’m finally excited!!!
This month started off very depressing. I did not feel like celebrating, at all. All I wanted was for this month to pass. Actually, I wanted this year to hurry up and pass. Over the years, I have always said that I loved adventures. Well, 2020 has been one great adventure, and I am ready for this adventure to end. Honestly, I don’t even think we have reached the apex yet. I believe we are still climbing. I just pray that whatever is to come does not rock this world more than it has already. Hopeful.
Okay… that was getting dark. Back to my birthday. Last year, I spent my birthday volunteering at a summer camp teaching 4th graders about the benefits of choosing healthier snacks. So when asked if I could teach a class on that day, I immediately agreed. Y’all, I was on cloud nine! I felt like a kid again. Like I was a little girl preparing to play school with my siblings and little cousins. It brought out the child in me. I could not wait to start planning.
That was my celebration with the kids. At the end of the week, I celebrated with friends and family. I called it my freedom party– 46 & FREE! Exactly seven days before my birthday, the judge signed my divorce papers! I was FINALLY free!! So I celebrated!
A little over a week later, my best friends came down and we took a girl’s trip to Essence Festival. Talk about a wonderful birthday! I had so much fun.
So, what will I do this year? I am finally excited enough to start planning. My children and sisters have been asking me all month what I want to do. Happy to say I have made a few decisions. I plan to spend the day of my birthday at the zoo with one of my sisters and her children. I really want to see them have fun. Children tend bring out the kid in me. Y’all, they have me acting all crazy and I love it! Then, that weekend, I plan to spend it with another sister and niece. Not sure if I will do anything in between. Will definitely spend time with my two babies.. umm.. I mean– young adults. Lol
Y’all, I am truly blessed. God has blessed me to live this long, so why not celebrate. Oh… before I end, last night I dreamt I had dyed my hair cotton candy pink for my birthday. Hmmm….
Y’all, I might even surprise myself for my birthday! Lol. NOW, I’m excited!
#Year47
Shaun
Mary J. Blige’s My Life has been playing over and over in my head since yesterday morning. Can’t turn it off. This one part seems to be stuck on repeat. Mary is singing–
Life can be
Only what you make it
When you’re feeling down
You should never fake it
Say what’s on your mind
And you’ll find in time
That all of the negative energy
It will all decease
My life . . .
Blessed
Shaun
Sitting here reminiscing about events that took place in the Summer of 2014. Y’all, so many wonderful things happened that that year. Like the memory I am about to share.
One day, out of the blue, I received an invitation to attend a culinary media training event in New Orleans. It was an all-expenses paid trip. All I had to do was show up. At first, I was hesitant about going because I was afraid. I was afraid that I would not live up to what was expected of me. I was afraid that I would make mistakes. I was afraid I would not fit in. I was afraid of where it could possibly lead me. I was afraid of the potential– my potential. Then, I remembered God’s favor. He would not have presented the opportunity if He believed I could not handle it. I mean, EVERYTHING was paid for. All I had to do was go. So, I went. Here is what I wrote afterwards:
New Orleans was definitely a great professional experience. I came back with a sense of worth. I felt like I could actually accomplish my goals. I now have a different outlook on life & my role in this universe. I am destined for greatness & there’s nothing wrong with it. Thank you God for helping me realize my potential. Please give me the knowledge, strength, courage, and intelligence to do things the correct way. I thank you so much for the favor!
Shaun’s Journal: June 2014
Can’t you hear Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers singing, God’s Favor? I can! The song says, “God’s favor is more precious than life.”
Favor.
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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