Listen, I am on a roll today!! Usually, I try to suppress and/or contain my energy because sometimes it can be a little too much. But today I am on a 10, maybe 20! A short while ago, after I shared my last post, I saw a reel by motivational speaker, Trent Shelton (sharing it below). Here’s what I wrote when I reshared it:
One of the REALIST posts ever!🥺 This is what it looks like when you’re fulfilling your purpose. Encouragement is in Trent Shelton’s DNA. It’s who he is.
Side note: No matter how much you try to separate who you are from your God-given purpose/calling, it won’t happen. Believe me, it will keep showing up. So you might as well embrace it. Just like with Trent, it’s in your DNA.
Listen, when you KNOW what your purpose is, when you KNOW who you are, embrace it! Forget trying to fit someone else’s narrative. That’s not you. You are who you are—it’s in your DNA. You (we, including myself) will only be able to live life fully when you embrace and walk in your God-given purpose.
Listen, I couldn’t help but smile when I came across one of today’s Facebook memories (included at the end). My only response when I shared the post seven years ago was, “I’m ALL IN!”
Thinking back, I thought being committed to the process would be a cakewalk. That being “ALL IN” meant it was only up from there. It’s funny how I did not account for the unpredictability of life. Nah… when I said I was all in, I just knew I would conquer every obstacle successfully the first time. Laughing because I had no idea of the roller coaster ride that was ahead. No idea that I would go through some of the same experiences (different situations with different people) multiple times before I could actually move forward. I didn’t know that I would self-sabotage opportunities or be used or abandoned by people who I thought had my back. Nah… you see, when I declared I was “all in,” I was at a point in my life where life was good. I was finally coming out of the trenches, and I could only see up from there. And up is where life has gone, but not without a few bumps, hiccups, and lessons along the way.
So, here is what I have learned over the past seven years. Being fully committed is a process. It’s a decision I make daily. No lie. Y’all, there are so many mornings when I wake up motivated and pumped, then by noon I want to throw in the towel because this commitment thing too hard. Listen, when I tell you God loves me! It’s God’s love, patience, presence and guidance that keeps me going. He always sends me just what I need in those moments that give me the strength and confidence to press forward.
Here is something else I have learned. The product of commitment is not for display. It’s not something to take pictures of and post for others to see. No, this commitment is sacred. It’s between myself and God. It’s a space that no one else has access to. Unlike back then, and even up until a year or so ago, I felt the need to show people what God was doing behind the scenes. I thought it was more important for me to show/share what God was doing than to let it happen authentically. I did it to be transparent. I was so big on transparency. Little did I know, my transparency was limiting my experiences with God. I was so focused on sharing the process and my testimonies that I couldn’t fully comprehend or embrace what I was experiencing. Whew!When I tell you I am loving this space I’m in! I am finally in a space where only God and I reside—a space that is exclusively for two. No guests allowed.
Growth!
Anyway, I believe I have written enough. I may or may not delete a few things. However, I believe leaving it as written is probably the most authentic. So, I’ll keep it all. See how easy that decision was.Smile
Here’s the Facebook memory I have been referring to—“Are You All In?” by Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Was looking back through my Facebook memories a little while ago. I try not to spend so much time in the past, but that’s where I find a lot of my answers. Saw the following memory this morning, but didn’t pay much attention to it. However, this evening, it caught my eye.
April 18, 2019
As you can see, I had one of my “Aha” moments. This was when I realized I had been making decisions based on pivotal moments in my life.
It was in April of 1994 that I had decided to make a few life changes. Little did I know, life was about to change me. I’ll say it was around this time in April that I had received orders (a new military assignment) to go to Florida. I was about to leave Germany and my trifling boyfriend. Already had in my mind how I was going to be FREE! We had just broken up and I felt like I finally had a handle on life. Well, by the end of the month, and I know the exact date, I was back with him.
Long story, short… I really need to write a book. Maybe in my 80’s or 90’s. That night will forever be etched in my memory. It’s the night he told me he was going to give me what I wanted…a baby. I laughed it off. For over a year I had wanted to be pregnant, but it never happened. Yeah… I was young and naive, but I really wanted a baby. I wanted someone who would love me unconditionally—and she actually does (my blessing🥰).
Six weeks later, I went to the doctor’s office for one thing and left with what seemed to be the worst news of my life, I was pregnant. Y’all, I had already made up my mind that I was moving on. Then…BAM!!
From that day on, even until recently, most decisions I have made have been somewhat based on what happened for me—no longer going to use “to me”—during that time. My baby became my priority. She became my life. Then the divorce happened, and she and my son became my life. Every decision I have made has been somewhat based on them. They have been trying to get me to enjoy life for myself, but I have been hesitant. Honestly, I am not really sure how to live as a single person. However, I believe it is finally time that I learned.♥️
When I went to share my previous post, a Facebook memory from 2022, on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, I decided to change it up a little bit. Here’s what I shared.
God has given you a beautiful gift that was meant to be shared with the world. Don’t keep it to yourself. Use it and SHINE!✨
Yesterday, on my way to the beach, I listened to Lewis Howes’ conversation with Tabitha Brown, You’ve Been Blocking Your Blessings! …. When I tell you that was another conversation that was God sent. So much of Tab’s story about dreams and hearing from God resonated with me. It was so nice to see that I am not alone. I know some of the things I post may sound a bit off, especially when I start talking about feeling shifts in the atmosphere and feeling the need to pray at specific times, but it’s so real. So very real. She also spoke about being obedient to God. How important it is to follow God’s guidance. How she tried doing it everyone else’s way, but it wasn’t until she started walking in her truth that she began to see her dreams being manifested. And her dreams didn’t even measure up to the blessings God actually bestowed upon her.
Listen, I needed that confirmation—which is something she also talked about. I needed to know that I am not crazy for doing what I know I have been led to do. This year, Year50, is the first time I have fully released control and have allowed God to guide and work how He sees fit. This time I actually meant it when I said, “whatever comes and whatever goes, I will be alright.” Y’all, I’m cool. I am so loving this space I am in. It’s a place of peace and surrender. It’s knowing that no matter what happens, God’s got me.
Right now, I am currently using my gifts and being obedient to God. It doesn’t matter if I reach one soul or millions, I am walking in my purpose and calling, and it feels wonderful! Y’all, I can’t say it enough, I am truly blessed.♥️
Aren’t we all striving to exceed, excel, and/or overcome something.💙
So there’s this video trending on social media of a young man explaining how marriage has been one of his biggest adversities. He’s been married seven years and has an outside child that’s almost two years old. He said one of the ways he tried to make amends with his wife was by sending her a blue heart daily. The first day he sent one. The second day he sent two. The third day he sent three….and so forth. Y’all, he was so proud of himself.Well, he never made it past 21 days. He said sending hearts every day was just too hard to do. Listened, I tried not to laugh because he seemed so sincere, but it was so funny. How could that be difficult?
And I wasn’t alone. Most people agreed that sending hearts daily wasn’t that difficult to do nor was it special. However, he saw it as something special, as well as challenging. Who were we to judge? To him, sending blue hearts for 21 days was an accomplishment. He had achieved something he didn’t believe he could. And we don’t know, maybe his wife thought it was special too and was also proud of him.💙
Well, after searching for the young man’s name, because I had planned to use something he said during the interview as a quote (exceeding, excelling, and overcoming), I discovered he was an aspiring motivational speaker and that he truly loved his wife. When I tell you my laughter and judgment was replaced with compassion and respect. Y’all, this young man is just like everyone else trying to figure out how to maneuver through this circus called life. How many times have you wished you would have responded or said something differently? How many times have you made costly mistakes but by the grace of God you’re still standing? I believe we can agree that all of us have had similar experiences.
Listen, God’s grace is everything. I believe we need to extend more of it than be so quick to judge. Right now, that small segment of his interview has gone viral. People are in the comments telling his wife she has a loser on her hands and that she needs to find better. So many opinions…
Anyway, here’s an Instagram reel Mr. Pugh had pinned to his page: JahTheVoice. Sending prayers up for him and his wife. Praying their marriage survives this.
This memory is the perfect follow up to how Beyoncé’s film left me feeling last night. Y’all, I can’t even make this stuff up. Who knew my next memory and message (why do I hear DJ Khaled saying, “God did!”—hilarious) was going to be a reminder that I was created for greatness. Not in an egotistical way, but in a way where I have to stop playing small. It is absolutely imperative that I use every God given talent I have to fulfill my purpose—to fulfill His purpose. I keep telling y’all Year50 is different. It’s so different that sometimes it frightens me. I said I wanted the next 50+ years to be completely different and Voila! it is so.
Facebook Memory: December 3, 2022
Sometimes you have to remind yourself that you were created for greatness. Nothing but greatness follows you. Remember, YOU ARE God’s child!♥️
God’s child. Divinely made. ONE of one.
Praying you have a wonderful day. Remember, YOU were created for greatness. Stop shying away from your calling.
Listen, today I am celebrating one of many successes. Y’all, it took me forever to get out of my head. It took me forever to become confident enough to share my blogs outside of WordPress. Then, it took me forever to accept this as something other than a hobby. This is part of my purpose and calling. It may not seem like much, but I know wholeheartedly this is only a snippet of something greater that God has planned.
For everyone who continues to read and share my blogs, THANK YOU!! You are soooo appreciated. I love you!!!♥️♥️♥️
Facebook Memory: November 21, 2022
Celebrating small successes!🌟 Plus.. the 5s just look so cute!☺️
And to think I thought posting for 30 consecutive days was CRAZY! Y’all, this was my 3rd attempt at trying this, and now I’m at 555 days!🙌🏽♥️🥰🌟💃🏽
ItsShaunsWorld2.com
80 days until 1000!!!
Today is Day 920, exactly 365 days later. I am so proud of myself for not giving up. For actually trying again and again. I know it may seem small but it’s so big to me. Y’all, I am finally doing something that I absolutely love doing and I feel so free to do it. Nah…I’m not making millions and I don’t have millions of followers, but I am living in my authenticity, allowing God to use me, AND I am at peace. Whew!!! Nothing BUT GOD!!! Y’all, I am truly, truly blessed.
Soooo…I just noticed that I didn’t post a “Hello Sunday” blog. I was so excited about the memory I had found this morning that it completely slipped my mind.
Was thinking about the post I shared Friday about us showing up as ourselves. I wrote, “ALWAYS show up as YOU!” A few hours after I shared it, I attempted to show up as someone I was not, BUT…my authentic self showed up instead. My goal was to show up all polished, poised, and well-spoken. You know, all scholarly and stuff. However, I became excited about what I was discussing and the country, super expressive Shaun showed up instead. I was so embarrassed and disappointed. Thankfully, I was with a friend and colleague who told me that people really like my personality. She said that’s why they are drawn to me. For years I attempted to suppress it, and did so well for so long. Then something changed. Something happened and I began to let people see the real me and now it’s here. It’s here…she’s here…and I believe I am going to let her stay.
As my friend told me, some people will like my authenticity and some will not, and it’s okay. I agree. It is okay. I have to be me.
Y’all, THIS is Year50!♥️
Shaun
I believe I have reached yet another level of freedom. Woohoo!
“I’m in repair.” Those were the words Nicole Avant used during the first few minutes of her conversation with Jay Shetty. Y’all, that simple statement made me burst into tears because I am in repair. Yes… me!
While I was crying, I began thinking about every negative experience I had gone through. Every disappointment, heartache, loss and hurt. The feelings of grief, abandonment, neglect, unworthiness, and betrayal. Every negative thing that I had emotionally detached myself from so that I wouldn’t feel the pain, came flooding back. When I tell you I bawled!
At the end of their conversation they actually revisited the topic of being in repair, and Nicole mentioned crying. That crying was good. My 8th grade Spanish teacher used to say crying cleanses the soul. They’re both right. I needed to cry and may need to shed a few more tear.
Y’all, I am so very grateful God loves me. He always gives me exactly what I need when I need it. There was a segment during the interview where Nicole mentioned pruning a bush or tree and how it didn’t look so good afterwards; however, when spring came, it was beautiful. I’ve said it before, I know I am being pruned. It doesn’t feel good but I know the results will be beautiful.
I loved Nicole’s energy! So positive. So full of life. And y’all, she also believes we are all connected. This made me smile. Can’t wait to read her book, “Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace and Gratitude.”
Y’all, God is good. I am truly, truly blessed and loved.♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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