Let nothing or no one dim your glow. You were born for this. Keep shining!♥️ ~ Shaun
Smile. You got this!
Side Note: Every time I hear the phrase “Keep shining,” I also hear Dionne Warwick singing “That’s What Friends Are For.”
That’s What Friends Are For
Dionne Warwick Source: LyricFind
And I never thought I’d feel this way And as far as I’m concerned I’m glad I got the chance to say That I do believe I love you And if I should ever go away Well, then close your eyes and try To feel the way we do today And then if you can remember
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’ Knowing you can always count on me for sure That’s what friends are for For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more That’s what friends are for
Well, you came and opened me And now there’s so much more I see And so by the way I thank you Oh and then for the times when we’re apart Well, then close your eyes and know These words are coming from my heart And then if you can remember
Oh, keep smilin’ and keep shinin’ Knowing you can always count on me for sure That’s what friends are for In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more Oh, that’s what friends are for
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’ Knowing you can always count on me for sure That’s what friends are for For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more That’s what friends are for
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’ Knowing you can always count on me for sure ‘Cause I tell you that’s what friends are for For good times and for bad times I’ll be on your side forever more That’s what friends are for (that’s what friends are for, ya)
On me for sure (count on me for sure, count on me for sure) That’s what friends are for
The stage is set. Now, it’s up to you to make it happen. Do not miss this opportunity. It’s already yours!♥️ ~ Shaun
It’s yours!
This was one of the first graphics I created to share on social media. I remember being hesitant to put my brand on it. I kept thinking about what others would think. Would they think I was trying to emulate someone else? I shared it on Facebook, but refused to share it on Twitter. On Facebook, I was mostly among family and friends. I felt it was a pretty safe space for sharing new ideas. However, Twitter… Twitter was a different beast. You do not post anything on Twitter and not expect criticism. It took me forever to share my blogs on my platforms, and they are MY platforms.
Anyhoo… Now I share whatever I please, and I am not afraid to promote my brand. I am finally living within my authenticity in all spaces. I am who God created me to be, and it feels so good and freeing to finally be me.
Side Note: It always amazes me how God has me leave nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for my future self. Nuggets that are always relevant for when they are needed. Forever grateful. I’m blessed.
That was one of the quotes under today’s Facebook memories. As usual, I’m in tears (always emotional).
Several blogs ago, I mentioned that it had dawned on me that I am actually living in my dreams. That, in my 20s, I was too naive to recognize it and took so many opportunities for granted. Do y’all know I could have traveled all of Europe at the drop of a hat and didn’t because 1) I did not want to be there, 2) I didn’t want to travel alone (my boyfriend didn’t want to go anywhere) and 3) I always believed I would have other opportunities. Just reminiscing about how I so carelessly disregarded my blessings and opportunities makes me cringe. I had the world in my hands and didn’t even recognize it. Y’all, I had been given what I asked for – to work for an international company and travel the world – and because it did not come the way I envisioned, I blew it off.
Side Note: So I saw myself at the United Nations. Even saw myself in the Peace Corp. But I never ever considered that the Air Force would provide some of the same experiences. I mean, two weeks after basic training I was in Germany. When I tell you God will give you what you ask for! Whew! It was just a little too much. (Laughing)
Okay… Back to my story.
I will say that my life changed after I found out I was pregnant. It was the strangest feeling (I can still feel it now). It was like the blinders fell off and everything was new. By then, I only had a little over two months left in Germany. I booked two weekend tours – one was a tour along the Rhein River and the other was a tour of the Black Forest. I so vividly remember holding my stomach, which was still flat as a rock, and saying, “Now I have someone to travel with.” And I did.
Wish I could say that after I left Germany I readily embraced my blessings and opportunities, but I would be lying. Three years later, almost to the date, God dropped me in Turkey for two years. One of my dreams was to visit the Mediterranean region. And I was there! Receipts of how God works in my life.
Well, while I was in Germany, there were weekly tours to Cyprus and Greece, but I never went. Sadly, I was placed right there in the area – only a few hours away – and still did not go!! Y’all, I was there two whole years and made up excuses of why I couldn’t go. I did travel to a few places in Turkey, though. However, I didn’t take advantage of all of those opportunities either. I was near most places I had read about in the Bible and acted like it was a common thing to be so close. UGH!!
Okay…
I’m seeing a pattern here…
“Aha” moments all over the place!
I hate that it has taken me so long to recognize I am absolutely blessed. No, nothing has ever happened the way I imagined, but it has and is happening right before my very eyes. This time, I’m living in it!! I’m taking it all in. I will admit, I have missed some great opportunities, but it’s okay. Just like God dropped me in Turkey, He’ll send more opportunities and blessings. However, THIS TIME I’m embracing EVERYTHING!
I am actually living in my dreams! Blessed♥️
Y’all, this is all I have for you today. I pray you are living in your dreams. One way to know is to block out all distractions… you know, the worries, lack of, and negative energy… and only focus on the precious things you have (opportunities, health, family, love, etc.). Are you living in your dreams? I bet you are!
Negativity only keeps us in cycles of dysfunction. Let’s change this! Today, we are intentionally blocking negative thoughts, conversations and behaviors. Positive vibes only –all day, EVERY day.
Yes, we are intentionally choosing positivity.♥️ ~ Shaun
Today’s blog is a praise song that came to mind this morning.
Listen, there is none like my God. He will ALWAYS make His presence known. I’m so blessed.
When You Praise by Fred Hammond Source: LyricFind
When you praise, when you praise, There should be a fire in your heart. Hands up raised, when you praise, Consuming every part because you know The GOD we serve will make His presence known, when you praise, When you praise. (2x)
when we think of how wonderful And merciful and kind Our GOD has been to us. Then we know every glory hallelujah He deserves, when we praise (back to chorus 1)
praise will bind, confuse And break the enemy. And cause his hands to be still. So we raise our hands in total victory We know we triumph in his will.
When we praise, when we praise, There should be a fire in your heart. Hands up raised when you praise, Consuming every part because you know (chorus)the GOD we serve will make his presence known. Oh, when we praise, when we praise, when we praise.
Let us praise, let us praise With fire in our heart Hands up raised let us praise Consuming every part because you know The GOD we serve will make his presence known.
When we praise, when we praise, when we praise When we praise, when we praise There is none like you When you praise, when we praise, when we praise When we praise, when we praise Our GOD is an awesome GOD yeah When we praise, when we praise, when we praise When we praise, when we praise Bless the lord oh my soul(repeat X2)
you can put your hands in here tonight if you want to (continue to “living word”)
Woke up singing, “O magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised.”
Y’all, I do not know what God has planned, but I do know He’s moving, and He’s moving pretty fast. I have made more connections and achieved more goals in the last month than I have over the past few years. It’s so amazing to see. It’s like I’m starring in my own movie and watching it at the same time. How cool is that?!
Anyhoo… Let me get up and get going. I have things to do. It feels so good to once again be doing the things I love. Smiling
God is so good and so worthy to be praised. Amen
Praying you have a wonderful Wednesday! Will talk to you soon.♥️
Last year’s quote is perfect for today. We must cherish every moment while we can and take nothing or no one for granted. Y’all, we are truly blessed. Enjoy your day.♥️ ~ Shaun
God is … Feel free to fill in the rest. Enjoy your day!♥️
** The second drawing is from last year. Not sure what it was supposed to be. A picture of fans, maybe? Lol. Anyhoo… it was the inspiration for today’s drawing.🙃
Singing, “God is the joy and the strength of my life …”
Our life needs balance. There is no way we can truly live our best lives without it.
Yesterday, a friend of mine shared her personal journey with being self-disciplined. How at one point she was so disciplined that it became unhealthy. If you read either of yesterday’s blogs, that’s exactly what was happening with me. Now, I wasn’t as disciplined as her, but I was on my way there. For the longest, I have been trying to force myself to stay focused on my work by eliminating “distractions.” However, all I was doing was making myself sick. I cannot eliminate things from my life that actually bring we joy. I just can’t. So I have to find a way to balance it all.
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