Category: Uncategorized

Have you ever wondered why you have to face so many challenges to get to where you desire and deserve to be? I know I have. I think about it all the time. This morning I came across a quote, “Don’t give up. Great things take time.” After thinking about for a while, and sharing it with a few people, something clicked– I’m being groomed.

God has been grooming me since the day I was born. Everything I have gone through was preparing me for what is to come. I’m really emotional right now because I can see it. It all makes sense. I’m not saying I enjoyed the challenges and setbacks. Not at all! What I’m saying is, I made it! Y’all, I’m still amazed at some of the things I’ve accomplished!

Tomorrow my next big adventure begins. I’m excited! However, I’m also a little nervous. Been blocking out all of the negative thoughts that have been trying to surface. Thoughts like– Are you sure you can do this? Are you good enough? Are you smart enough? Do others believe you’re smart enough? It’s amazing how your own thoughts can stop you from moving forward. Not this time!

My goal is to tackle every challenge as I have in the past– PRAY, then suck it up and do whatever needs to be done. That’s how I made it through basic training. That’s how I made it through labor. It’s how I make it through daily challenges.

I’m pretty sure I’ll write about my journey. I know there will be challenges; however, I’m ready for them. God has paved the way and it’s time for me to move forward. As they say, “Pray my strength in the Lord” because I know I’ll need it. Some of you know what I mean. For those who don’t, just pray for me.

Y’all, I’m excited!! The best is yet to come. As the song says, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”- Donald Lawrence “The Best is Yet to Come”

Smiling,

Shaun

I had to share this because I didn’t realize extreme fatigue was a symptom. No one told me I would be tired all of the time.

It’s been three and a half weeks since my hysterectomy. The first couple of weeks I never thought about how tired I was. I guess the gas and abdominal pains overshadowed everything else. Ha! The pain was real!

Well, last week I noticed I was more tired than usual. Last weekend I started napping a lot. I just assumed it was my body telling me I needed to rest. So I napped. Then one nap a day turned into two naps. Now I’m up to three naps.

I’m not going to lie, I started freaking out. I automatically assumed something deadly was happening. Did I have some kind of internal bleeding going on? And it couldn’t possibly be anemia because that was supposed to be cured with the hysterectomy, right? Hmm…

Yesterday, I started back taking my iron pills because they always gave me more energy. Today I decided to google (something I despise doing for medical symptoms) extreme fatigue after a hysterectomy and guess what popped up? Hundreds of testimonies and a WebMD confirmation that it’s an actual symptom. Say what? I’m not being lazy. I’m actually tired.

I have a follow up appointment next week. I’m going to inform my gynecologist of the symptoms and suggest that he includes extreme fatigue in the list of symptoms they provide patients at discharge.

I thought I was on my last leg, y’all! I always thank God for waking me up, but last night when I went to sleep I wasn’t so sure I would be here today. As I write this blog, I’m about to fall over. I just had to get this out. Extreme fatigue is real! Getting ready to listen to my body (I know I need sleep because I wake up every morning before dawn) and take a nap AND I refuse to feel guilty about it.

Peace!

Shaun

This is going to be short. I’m feeling some kind of way. Someone tweeted that their vision has always been to never have their mother, sisters, future wife and children have the need to know the price of a carton of milk. I understand the “have the need to know” part. I know what he’s saying. He wants his family in a position where they can afford their needs. Understandable.

I want the same for mine. I want to be able to provide for my family to the point where they don’t have to worry about if they’ll have money to buy food or pay bills. I believe that’s what we all strive for. However, I want my children to know how much a carton of milk costs. I want them to know that there is someone walking around wondering if the $10 they have in their pocket will be enough to buy food for the next few days. I want them to be aware that everyone can’t just put items in a shopping cart without paying attention to the price.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against people living their best lives and enjoying the fruits of their labor. My concern is when they forget everyone can’t afford the same lifestyle. There are millions who can’t afford food for the entire month. So, yeah, they pay attention to the price of everything. Every penny counts.

One of my pet peeves is hearing someone who has started eating healthier tell others how to modify their diet. The ones who can afford fresh or organic foods, or go on these fad diets, start to preach health to those who can’t afford the food. They make others believe that they don’t have a chance at being healthy because they can’t afford certain food items. This drives me crazy because it’s not true. A person doesn’t have to eat organic food to be healthy. Anyway… that’s a-whole-nother story.

As, I’ve said before, my blogs are very random. This one was really random. That tweet struck a nerve. I never want my children to have so much that they can’t understand why a person has to choose canned green beans over frozen.

Good Day!

Shaun

I finally found the rest and relaxation I needed. Now I feel rejuvenated.

This past weekend I celebrated my 45th birthday with my best friend of 43 years and made a new friend, who I believe will in my life another 45 years. Yes, we plan to live a long time. Believe me, it was so rewarding to be in the company of like minded women. The spiritual connection we have is unbelievable. Simply mind blowing!

As many of us believe, God places people in our lives for a reason– to teach us a lesson or be a blessing. Often we overlook the timing of the placement. Timing is always significant. You see, this is our 45th year of life, our year for growth. It’s our time to shine and sow into others.

I used the word shine for a reason. Each of us have been holding back on the talents God has blessed us with because we’ve become comfortable with where we are. Don’t get me wrong, we are using our talents, but not stretching those talents. We have so much more to give. This weekend we declared it’s our time to step out of the background and into the spotlight to allow our God given talents to shine. As Cheryl Wood put it, we encourage our children to be fearless and conquer the world but we don’t follow our own advice. Well, now we’re following our advice. The three of us are ready to shine, sow and conquer the world!

Feeling rejuvenated!

Shaun
#Year45
#MovingForward

Good Morning! My 45th birthday is finally here! When I tell you I’m blessed and highly favored, believe me!

I have always loved birthdays. I’m a summer baby. When you’re a kid, and born in the Summer, you don’t have to wait until the weekend to celebrate your birthday. Well…not if your grandmother is the babysitter and your cousins and neighborhood kids are around. Shoot, I didn’t need presents. No one had money to buy presents anyway. Lol! All I needed was a cake and unlimited playtime. Those were the days!

Over the years, my enthusiasm for birthdays has never left. I’ve never fretted getting older. I have rejoiced no matter what age and I’ve never been ashamed to tell my age. These are years God has blessed me with. I will not deny Him the glory by refusing to move forward. I’m 45 and blessed!

I woke up this morning so full! Full of praise! Full of gratitude! I can’t emphasize it enough– I am blessed! I’m here! I am 45! Now can somebody shout with me!! Glory!

Before I end, I would like to thank everyone who has planted seeds of growth into my life. Every positive interaction has helped me move forward. Every “hello” and smile has fed my soul and I’m forever grateful. God places people in your life for a reason. If you’re reading this, and we’ve had some kind of interaction, you were placed in my life for a reason. Y’all, I’m truly blessed!

So, all year I’ve been saying I need a porch to sit on. God got me that porch!!! Did I tell y’all He loves me?

Happy birthday to Me!

Shaun
#Year45

Why am I up and why am I writing? I’m supposed to be resting. Resting… rest– freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit.

Honestly, I don’t know how to rest. To be even more honest, I don’t believe I truly want to rest. It’s like there’s something inside of me that equates rest with laziness. If I’m resting, I’m being lazy. Does that make any sense? Why would the doctor tell me to rest, if he thought I’d become lazy?

Boy, the mental struggles I’ve been having. The day after my surgery, I was responding to work emails and answering phone calls. I had accomplished every goal the doctor had set. The worst thing they could’ve done was keep the list of goals in front of me. It was like a to-do list– shower at 9:00, walk at 10:00, walk again at 2:00. Finally my doctor had to tell me I wouldn’t receive gold stars for accomplishing my goals so quickly. I heard him, but in my mind I just had to do these things within a certain timeframe.

Today makes two weeks since my surgery. Everyday I struggle with the idea of resting. It’s not something that comes easily. It’s something that I have to make a conscious effort to do. It really is mental. One part of me is saying, “your body needs this to heal properly.” While the other is saying, “girl, you should be doing something.” Y’all the struggle is real.

My advice to myself is, stop telling other people to rest if you’re not going to do the same. Oh…the best advice ever (and I’m taking heed), turn your notifications off! I would say, put down that phone for a day, but I know that’s not going to happen. Lol!

Another random.

Enjoy!

Shaun
#Year45