You were never created to fit in. Don’t tone down your presence to make others more comfortable. No… Stand in your fullest glory and be YOU!♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Be You
Tag: authenticity
Always Show Up As YOU
God handcrafted and chose you to be different. You were never meant to fit in. You were always meant to stand out. Know that your purpose can only be fully expressed when you show up as YOU.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Embrace Your Authenticity
Good Morning!
In case you didn’t know, your authenticity is just as beautiful as you are. Don’t shy away from it. Nah… Embrace it.♥️
Love you always,
Shaun
No More Hiding God’s Greatness
Good Morning! When was the last time you publicly celebrated your achievements? Is it something you find easy to do? Asking because I have always found it difficult, until recently. Now, I celebrate even the smallest of successes.
I wish I could say that after I shared my post five years ago (see second screenshot below) that I began publicly acknowledging my achievements, but it didn’t. It took me years to finally become comfortable enough to share even a few. As you will read in my post below, I didn’t even tell anyone about my role as the president of our state’s dietetics association (2016-2017). When I tell you it felt like I was leading two separate lives. And to be honest, I guess I was. I didn’t know how to be Shaun and LaShaundrea. I believe I’ve written about this before. It took me years to find a happy medium between the two, which didn’t actually happen until Year50.
Anyhoo, today things are different. I am not hiding anymore and I am celebrating all my achievements. I mean, how can I fully represent God if I continue to downplay the magnitude of His greatness in my life? Y’all, He’s been too good to me. As I have said many times before, I am beyond blessed.🥰 ~Shaun
Facebook Memories: September 3, 2019
Everyone Can’t Handle Your Truth
This is so true. Everyone cannot handle our truths. It took me a very long time to realize this—basically, a lifetime. For years I believed people wanted to know the authentic version of me. I thought I could be free and open with people who seemed to like me. It took many heartbreaks and letdowns to learn that most people didn’t want to know the real me, they only wanted to interact with and know the version they could tolerate (not accept). This is why I only have a handful of close friends, and my closest get to experience all of me.
In one of my very first blog posts (June 2018) I wrote—
“It’s not easy being transparent in a world that glorifies what’s fake and shuns reality. Reality isn’t pretty. Reality shows vulnerability– the bumps, bruises and scars.”
This blog site, “It’s Shaun’s World,” was originally created to be a space where I could be authentic and transparent. I really wanted to share my world with others. However, over the years I learned to tone it down and only release bits and pieces of me in small doses. Not everyone likes happiness. Some don’t like quirkiness. And many don’t like when people share their vulnerabilities with the world. Those are things I guess are supposed be kept private or only shared with friends or a therapist. I believed people wanted to know the human side of people—because that’s what I want to get to know, the real—when in reality they only want a character.
Anyhoo… I could go on and on. Here’s what I shared two years ago.
Facebook Memory: August 16, 2022
“Being transparent has its limits. Our lives were never meant to be an open book for all to read. Knowing when, what and with whom to share is vital. Everyone can’t handle your truth.♥️”
Yes, unlike in 2018, I now know this is true. Everyone can’t handle my truth—which is the reason I sometimes write posts that I never share—even when they’re my true experiences. Not everyone would or could understand, and that’s okay.
Well, that’s my truth for now. I pray you have a lovely Friday and beautifully, blessed weekend. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Authentically You
There is no one as captivating as you are when you show up as your authentic self. Always show up as YOU. Love you!♥️ ~ Shaun
True Happiness
True happiness comes from within.
You can’t find true happiness in things or people, and you surely cannot buy it. Believe me, I have tried before only to end up in the same state—feeling sad, depressed, unloved—after the excitement was over. No, true happiness is God-given and comes from within.♥️
Facebook Memory: July 10, 2023
True happiness comes from within. Wishing you much happiness and peace.♥️
On another note, earlier this morning I watched Jay Shetty’s podcast with philanthropist, Melinda French Gates. It was a conversation I was already interested in hearing. However, I did not know it would end up being one I needed to hear. Yes, needed to hear. I can’t say it enough, I just love how God loves me. He always sends the right messages at the absolute right time. Always.
Here’s the link, if you are interested: Jay Shetty with Melinda French Gates.
Praying you’re having a wonderful day this far.♥️
Take Care,
Shaun
In Case You Forgot
Simple reminder—
You are enough.
Wishing you a wonderful day and fabulous week!♥️
Love you,
Shaun
You Are Special
As Lizzo sings—
In case nobody told you today
You’re special
In case nobody made you believe (nobody, no, no)
You’re special
Well, I will always love you the same
You’re special
I’m so glad that you’re still with us (so glad, so glad, so glad)
Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect (you’re perfect)
Special by Lizzo
Lyrics: LyricFind
Facebook Memory: June 19, 2023
Brighten someone’s day by doing something that lets them know they are valued, appreciated, and loved. Make sure they know that they are special.♥️
In case no one has told you, you are valued, appreciated, and loved.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Authentically Me
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Earlier today I shared a picture from a few days ago. I had taken it after my cousin’s 70th birthday party and right before I removed my makeup, which was already wearing off. I decided to share this particular photo—unedited, without posing, just looking directly in the camera—because I felt it was my most authentic. I was exhausted, but felt so blessed (hence the reason for the photo). This little girl is now a grown woman. A 50 year old woman who is here, aging, and not afraid to be. No longer afraid to share her authentic, most vulnerable self.
I’m sharing this because a very opinionated friend of mine posted a response that only they could and would. Shaking my head, laughing. Honestly, it was a response that would’ve made me feel awkward for sharing, and would have had me second guessing my decision. However, today, I’m free. As Fantasia sings, “This is me.” It’s me and I absolutely love me.
Here’s my post. Those who get it, get it. Those who don’t…not my problem. I’m living!
That’s all. Just felt like sharing. Praying you have a wonderful night. Listen, don’t be afraid to let people see the real you. It’s you! Love you.♥️
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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