A year ago, I took a short, self-care trip to New Orleans. I stayed a few days to get some much needed rest, and while I was there, I went to a Van Gogh Exhibition. Here are a few photos.
I left inspired.♥️
Shaun
I Left Inspired
My Heart Is Filled With Praise
The song, “I Love You Lord Today,” has been playing over and over in my head since I opened my eyes. I guess you can say my spirit is setting the mood for the day.
The song says–
I love you, I love you
I love you Lord today
Because you care for me in such special way
That’s why I praise you
I lift you up and I magnify your name
That’s why my heart is filled with praise
Praying you have a wonderful day and beautiful weekend.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
God Is Always Working
Here is what I shared earlier on my social media platforms:
God is forever working behind the scenes on our behalf. Our job is to be patient and trust Him while He works, even when we don’t see anything happening. Eventually, everything will work out in our favor, and it will be better than we imagined.♥️
Moment of transparency…
Since the end of June 2022, I had been struggling to secure contracts as an independent consultant. Even applying for jobs did not work. Then, in August of that year, my mom had a stroke and I became her primary caregiver. Even though I was with her 24/7, I was still looking for work (even remotely) and nothing panned out. I kept hearing to rest and just spend time with her. That I had enough to sustain me. I did not need more.
Sadly, it wasn’t until almost the end of her life that I actually understood what was meant by resting and spending time with her. I am so grateful I eventually listened. I needed that time with her.
After she passed last May, seemed like nothing was working in my favor. Everything was just “blah.” And it was also during this time that I was experiencing the greatest spiritual pruning of my lifetime. I mean, I did ask for this side of 50 to be different. I just did not know what that entailed. Basically, patience, trust, faith, hope, and endurance. Lots of endurance!
By the end of last year, I had completely surrendered control to God because nothing I attempted to do was working—nothing. And that’s when things began to change. I started receiving job offers out of the blue. I felt like Celie in The Color Purple after she found Nettie’s letters. There were so many of them. Unfortunately, most were not a true match but I kept an open mind.
Fast forward to today. I just secured another contract as an independent consultant. God is so good!
Listen, even when things appear to be falling apart, they are actually falling in place. Most of the time it happens when we cannot feel or see God working. As I stated earlier, our job is to be patient and trust Him to work things out in our favor. Amen
God’s got us!♥️
Shaun
Smile, It Happened and Is Still Happening
Life is forever evolving and changing. Instead of crying over what was, smile because it was. Smile because you had the opportunity to experience it. Then, smile even bigger because you now have the opportunity to experience something even greater.
Facebook Memory: January 11, 2019
Happy Friday! Here’s today’s social media find. So, I’ve been reading old journal entries from 20+ years ago and reminiscing about the good old days (BTW: Today’s MJB’s birthday🎉). It’s amazing how time flies. If I could go back, I would definitely handle some situations and relationships differently. There were people in my past I wish I would have kept in touch with (grateful for FB reconnections 🤗). There were opportunities that I let slip away because I thought I was “oh so” brilliant 🤷🏽♀️ or because of fear. Either way, I lived and learned. One thing for sure, I can’t continue to look back on what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, or might’ve happened. I can only look forward and enjoy the present ride.
I’m truly grateful for all of my wonderful experiences, whether they lasted for years or only a few seconds (that smile did something to me 😉).
Make the best of every moment. Don’t spend too much time thinking about how the story could’ve ended or will end. Enjoy the here and now.
Just because a particular experience ended doesn’t mean something new is not already happening. God is forever working even when we cannot see it or feel it. Remember that every new day brings new opportunities and experiences. If we continue to dwell on what was, we will miss the beauty of what’s happening now. So, keep smiling. Our story is far from over. The best is yet to come!♥️
Shaun
Change Is Necessary
Sitting here thinking…
Just watched a new episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. It’s a new season with new writers and new characters. A lot of “new,” and many fans are not feeling the changes. It’s funny because many of the same people were complaining because they wanted change. Hilarious.
Anyhoo… That got me thinking about change. Some people like change while others do not. Some people adjust to change quicker than others. Personally, I always try to find the positive within the change. Whether people like it or not, change is inevitable and so necessary. It’s necessary for growth. New opportunities are born from change. Just imagine what the world would be like without change. Imagine what our life would be like without change. Scary, huh?!
Yes…change is necessary.
Looking forward to the new opportunities this change will create. Gotta keep the bigger picture in mind. There are so many great things to come.
That’s enough thinking for tonight. Time to wind down. Praying y’all have a wonderful night. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Protect Your Peace
Listen, protect your peace at all costs. Do not let the craziness and chaos that’s surrounding you get to you or inside of you. It’s not worth it.
Facebook Memory: January 10, 2022
One of the keys to living a healthier, stress-free life is protecting your peace. Sometimes this means cutting ties with certain people and/or avoiding spaces that cause stress. Listen, your life depends on it. #ProtectYourPeace
NOTE: Symptoms of stress – excessive worry, uneasiness, tension, headaches, body aches, high blood pressure and loss of sleep. (National Institute of Mental Health)
There’s only one YOU. Protect your peace and stay healthy!♥️
Love you,
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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