Saw this quote and thought I’d share it with my natural nurturers—those who can’t help but love on others and put them first.
“This year, your assignment is you. Water you.” – femalempire.co
As the quote says, we are the assignment this year and must water ourselves. Whatever we’ve poured into others in the past, we must now pour into ourselves. This doesn’t mean we’re being selfish or will love others any less. It just means we are making our purposes, dreams, and aspirations a priority so they can finally grow. It’s our time to flourish.♥️
Good morning, and Happy Veterans Day to all who have served in any branch of the military. Thank you for your service!🫡
Thirty-two years ago, when I enlisted in the Air Force, I was clueless about the path my life would take. It was a journey I was definitely not prepared for, but one I’m glad I took. Until today, although I always hear “Thank you for your service,” I never considered “service” to be service.
Since childhood, I always wanted to be of service to others. However, I thought I would do this through the Peace Corps, volunteering, or later working for the United Nations in some capacity. I never considered the military as service, mostly because it was not what I had imagined as service. Hmmm… I guess taking an oath to sacrifice our comforts and possibly lives for the freedoms of others and our country is an act of service. The ultimate act of service.
Here are a couple of photos from the beginning of my official service career.
I was tired, but I made it! I didn’t know my own strength.Smiles were not permitted. We meant business.😁
Y’all, I still can’t believe I was in the Air Force. Forever an airman—always aiming high.🇺🇸
Shaun
A thought…
Thinking about my life and my lifelong mission to serve, does anything ever look like what we imagined? Or happen the way we imagined? When I really think about it, I have been serving in some capacity since childhood. As the oldest child, I served my siblings. As a teenager, I served as our church’s historian. In high school, my sister and I started the first recycling club (this was in the late 80s—we were going to save the planet 😊). I have been doing the work, but never considered it service.
What were/are some of your lifelong dreams and aspirations? When you think about it, have you already been doing them in some capacity? Have you already been living out your dreams?
Have you been limiting God? Limiting Him to only what you see, know, and have experienced? If so…STOP! Stop limiting Him. He’s not a genie, but you have Him confined to a bottle as if He were one. Instead of allowing Him to work freely, you have limited Him to what you believe you want. The funny thing is, God already knows what you need to reach your fullest potential. And whatever that might be, may not even be on your radar at this moment. Remember, God knows and sees all.
Listen, I am receiving this message as I write. It’s definitely for me too! Whew!!
Open the bottle and let God free! Let Him do His thing! I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited!
Thanking God for loving me like only He can. I am definitely blessed. Y’all, I needed this revelation.♥️
Every time I share this quote, I am reminded that I am living the life I imagined.
Facebook Memory: February 20, 2022
And so, she decided to start living the life she’d always imagined.
Author Unknown
The last time I shared this quote was a little over 2 years ago. Back then I thought I was living the life I had always imagined. Little did I know that was only the beginning. I’m not sure if I’m quite there yet, but it definitely feels like it. That’s what peace will do for you. God is good.
Are you living the life you’ve always imagined—spiritually, emotionally and mentally?
Now, here I am two years later (2024), again saying I am living the life I have always imagined. Of course, there is so much more to what I imagined, so many more aspirations and dreams to achieve. However, here and now, and even back then, the life I imagined was about peace and freedom. Basically, the freedom to walk in my truth; create my own path; and embrace my uniqueness. It’s about setting boundaries and creating an environment that fosters peace and love. Therefore, I am living the life I imagined.
I pray you are living the life you have always imagined or getting there. Wishing you a beautiful day. Love you always!♥️
In 1992, my goal was to help end world poverty. Carol Moseley Braun was my inspiration. I had so many goals. When you’re young you tend believe that you have all the answers. Well, poverty is still here and will always be here. My goal is to help improve the quality of life of those living in poverty. I may not be able to save them, but I can help them.
Oh, I also wanted to be the Surgeon General of the United States. Boy did I have goals!😊
Carol Moseley Braun – First Black woman elected to the United States Senate (1992). In 1999, she became the Ambassador of the United States to New Zealand and Samoa.
Transparent moment…
My decision to return to school was not one that I made rashly. I know myself, and I know that this would have been something that would have hung over my head for years. I would have been okay with not finishing; however, I also would have wondered what would have been had I finished.
Today, I have a little over one week left in this term. I am mentally drained and a little discouraged. I am doing well, but not my best (yeah… I know this). I needed to see this memory today. I needed to be reminded of my “why.” I can do this!
That’s all for today. I may or may not make a second post today. Praying you have a wonderful weekend.
Was looking through Facebook memories and old journals to find inspiration for today’s blog. I could not find a journal entry from this date 20+ years ago, so I decided to include my Facebook post from last year, June 4, 2022.
“Just me being me.🤷🏽♀️😁 Y’all, life is good and God is sooo amazing. I’m so grateful for His mercy and grace. And the way He loves me – INDESCRIBABLE!! Whew! Getting emotional just thinking about it.☺️ Twenty days until #Year49, and I’m going to enjoy every minute because I KNOW #ImBlessed! 🙏🏽♥️”
As I mentioned, I could not find an entry written on this date over 20 years ago. However, I did find several entries between 1991-2002 written either the day before or after June 4. Y’all, I weep for that young lady. She was so lost, hurt and broken. For years, even decades, she accepted any and everything that was thrown her way because she felt unworthy and unlovable. When I tell you her self esteem was shot. I can see now that she was punishing herself for that one decision she wish she had not made. That one decision caused her to enter a downward spiral that led to self hatred and mental abuse. She consistently punished herself by allowing others to misuse and abuse her. She felt she deserved the pain because she had not lived up to the dreams and goals she had set for herself. Y’all, she did not know she could recover. Sadly, it would be decades before she realized that one mistake did not define her and that all of her dreams and aspirations were still in tact.
Now, here I am 20 days before Year 50. As I mentioned last year, I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, it is truly INDESCRIBABLE! Today, I can happily say that my life is drastically different than it was 30 years ago. That young lady is finally a woman who understands that that one decision was just part of her (my) story. Smiling
Year 50 is loading. Excited to see where this next journey takes me.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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