Overall, I believe life is beautiful. It has its rough moments, but when I think about it, they have never outweighed the good ones. I have had so many more good times than bad.
Facebook Memory: April 4, 2022
How we view life is merely a reflection of what’s in our hearts and souls.♥️
Y’all, yesterday was my first day in years of feeling like I was in my zone. Like I was where I was meant to be, doing what I do best—spreading love and hope. Never knew how much I missed people, especially the students and my colleagues. I also had the opportunity to connect with a few new people. Can’t wait to collaborate with them on upcoming projects. Y’all, I am so excited about where things are headed!
Side Note: Never allow others or bad moments in life to dim your light. Whenever you feel it going out, change your environment with haste. Do not stick around waiting for things or people to change. The longer you wait, the dimmer your light becomes. Keep it glowing!
Well, this is it for now. Praying you have a wonderful day!♥️
If you have been following me for a while, then you will know I love attending conferences—mostly nutrition and public health related. Well, during the pandemic everything changed. Conferences were either canceled or forced to go virtual. Although virtual was a great alternative, it was not the same. I missed physically being in the same rooms with my colleagues. I missed catching up with old friends. I missed meeting and networking with new people.
Even though this will not be my first in-person conference since everything returned to somewhat normal, it is the first one I have felt like myself again. The year before last, I was still trying to get used to the entrepreneurial world. Although I had been consulting on the side for years, I was not very confident or comfortable representing myself or my business without being affiliated with some other entity. I was out there on my own. Y’all, I even received an award that year (because I was actually putting in the work as an entrepreneur), but couldn’t fully accept it because I had not fully accepted the space I was in—if that makes sense. Then last year I was a speaker on a panel but didn’t attend the rest of conference because Momma was sick. So, this year is the first year I truly feel like myself. I already have plans to connect with a few people. I’m excited!
Y’all, it feels so good to be back and…better!!! I can’t wait to see everyone!
Your presence is necessary. Keep showing up…and shining! (Image from April 1, 2022)
Each season comes with its own assignments, successes and challenges. We may not understand them or their significance; however, we must see them through.
Please remember this, where you are in this present moment is where you are meant to be. It may or may not be where you desire to be, but it’s where you need to be. There are opportunities, lessons, and protection that only this season can provide. Right now your job is to keep showing up. Show up fully and SHINE!
Thank You, Lord Thank You, Lord Thank You, Lord I just want to thank You, Lord
I am so grateful and thankful for life. Thankful for another opportunity to get life right. Thankful for another chance to love and be loved. Thankful for my babies, family, and friends. Thankful that we are all still here and doing well.
My daughter is home so I plan on spending as much time as I can loving on her before she leaves. She got here yesterday and we have already had a few deep discussions, listened to Cowboy Carter, sung, danced, and laughed. Hadn’t realized how much I missed her. So blessed to have her home. God is good.
Y’all, because of Jesus, I am who I am today—undefeated and blessed. It’s a wonderful thing. Amen
To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
This scripture reminds me of Commissioned’s song, “Cry On.” The song says—
When your burdens seem to weigh you down. Or the road—it seems too far to carry on. Just look to the hills, you will find your help whence cometh from the Lord, hold on. Even when you feel you can’t go on. (Even if you have to moan.) Let your soul cry out to the Lord.
Cry on. God understands your tears. He knows how much that you can bear. Your faintest cry He’ll hear. Cry on. When there’s nothing else to say. He’ll wipe all your tears away. Lyrics: Genius.com
I have good news! Your tears won’t last. They’ll eventually dry up and be replaced with joy and laughter. You will receive beauty for all of your ashes.
Here I am I’m still standing Here I am after all I’ve been through I’ve survived every toil and every snare I’m alive I’m alive Here I am
Praising God!
Listen, everything that was meant to break or destroy me was unsuccessful. It did not work! I may have stumbled a few times, but I did not fall. When I tell you God’s got me!
One of my favorite YouTubers (if that’s even a word), Shameless Maya, is BACK! Okay… She hasn’t been gone for years, but she’s been absent for months. I believe her channel was the first one I subscribed to. I was so drawn to her personality and free spirit. When she talked about feeling awkward and different, I felt it. I felt seen. I admired, and still admire, her love for life and the way she handles experiences.
Listen, y’all just don’t know how happy I was to see her pop up on my screen. I am so glad she’s doing well. Smiling.
Y’all, I truly believe if I had to do my adult years over, my life would have been somewhat similar when it comes to the carefree, adventurous part. I probably would have joined the Peace Corps like I wanted to, or gone backpacking across Europe. Today, I would probably be married to someone from another country or continent and living life abroad. At least that’s what I imagine I would be doing because that was where I was headed. BUT… God had other plans; and I know He still has more in store because this ain’t it. Laughing
Really… I needed to see her video today after the experience I had yesterday. If I told you, you probably wouldn’t understand. But it let me know this is not where I belong or where I am meant to stay.
Side Note: Be mindful of what you speak. In the 90s, when I was stationed in Florida, I would drive through Hattiesburg on my way to see family in Northern Mississippi. Every time I got to a certain area I would say, “One day I am going to retire here.” Didn’t know anything about manifestation back then. Well, even though I was referring to when I was in my late sixties or seventies, I actually retired here. Been retired for years now. Too funny. Yeah… be mindful of what comes out of your mouth because you just might get it. Hmmm… I wonder why that doesn’t happen with money. 😂
Anyhoo… Welcome back, Maya!
This was the breath of fresh air that I did not know I needed.
Shaun
P.S. My next post is scheduled to be shared at 10:30 AM (trying to stay consistent). I wrote and scheduled it last night. However, after watching Maya’s video, I am tempted to pull it, but I won’t. I am going to leave it as scheduled. I am pretty sure a year from now I will look back and say, “They tried! But God had other plans!!” Amen
I am a living witness that the saying is true, it is always darkest before dawn. I will never understand why, but it is. However, despite our darkest experiences, there’s great news! Nothing and/or no onehas the power to stop God’s purpose for our lives. Nope… not at all. Instead of focusing on our pains, disappointments, hurts, and setbacks, let’s keep our heads up and stay focused on the Son (smile). Brighter days are coming.♥️ ~Shaun
They say God’s plans are better than ours, and I choose to believe they are. For years, I tried to understand and anticipate where He might have been taking me. Big mistake! HUGE mistake! Shaking my head, laughing. It was always a waste of time, valuable time. Now, I try my best to let Him do His job with minimal interference. Yes, I am human and I sometimes believe I know best, but I don’t. After years of trying to control everything, I have finally learned God will always do what He does—the unexpected, the unpredictable, beyond anything I could ever imagine.
My advice, which I am also taking myself—stay in the passenger’s seat. Better yet, get in the backseat, put your headphones on, and enjoy the ride. If it gets scary, close your eyes. Trust Him. He’s got you. With this being said, always…always…always be prepared to move when instructed to do so. Stay prepared.
That’s all I have for now. Praying you have a wonderful week. Love you!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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