My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
If you recall, two years ago I allowed a bad experience to stop me from moving forward. As I said in that blog, it was time for me to get back to work. Well, I am finally back!
After a two-year hiatus, or as I would like to refer to it as– my sabbatical, I am finally back and ready to get things rolling! I learned a lot …
I am Back! The Journey Continues
Shaun
The song, No Weapon, says:
No weapon formed against me shall prosper, it won’t work. . . God will do what He said He would do. He will stand by His word. He will come through.
Fred Hammond
Stay strong. God is working.
Shaun
I’m so emotional right now! You’re probably thinking, when is she not. Lol! I am just going to drop this gem right here and I dare you to use it!
Matthew 7:7. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
I DARE you to ask!
I DARE you to seek!
I DARE you to knock!
When I tell you God will give you the desires of your heart. Whew!! Gonna share this story with you real quick. I have to go soon and get my blessing!
Not even 30 minutes ago, I shared an event on Instagram that I wanted to attend this morning. After sharing it, I went to register for the event. Well, it was $97 for one day. I was like, nah.. because I only wanted to hear and support the keynote speaker, whom I have heard speak numerous times. Well… let me show you how God works! So, I decided to check my Messenger inbox that is connected to a Facebook account I rarely use. Why was there a link to a complimentary ticket to this EXACT event sitting there in my inbox?!! Talk about MIND BLOWING!! Y’all, I am registered and ready! God is so good!
This is only ONE example of how God works in my life. I have this one friend who always says that it seems like whoever I want to see I get to see. So she started putting in a few requests. Lol! The crazy thing is, she is right. I have had the opportunity to see and meet some of the most amazing people all because I asked. And it never happens because I spent days and nights praying for it. Most of the things God has given me have been based off a simple thought of wanting something. Nothing dramatic, just a simple, “It would be nice if…” Then, BAM! There it is. One day I will have to give more examples. As I always say, God is so good! All you have to do is ask. Whew!!
ASK!
Shaun
A few days ago, I decided to check my website (TheResearchDiva-RD.com) to see if I was ready to pick up where I left off two years ago. As I wrote in my most recent version of Hello Sunday, two years ago I allowed one bad experience to discourage me from moving forward.
Story time… and as always, full transparency.
So, not even six months prior (October 21, 2017, to be exact) to my botched presentation, I introduced my new business to the WORLD!! Well.. not to the world, but to fellow registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) at our annual conference (FNCE). That year was special because our association was celebrating its centennial. It was also special because I got to celebrate it with my best friend, Shawn. Needless to say, I was HYPED! New business.. 100th year celebration.. and hanging with my best friend.. PRICELESS! Oh! And not to mention, the night before I got to see the premiere of Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween. Bae-bé… you couldn’t tell me nothing! I was on cloud 9! That first day, I handed out my fancy business cards like I was a celebrity. Y’all, I was happy.
Then April 2018 happened, and it all went down hill from there. After that presentation, I began second guessing my worth, my credibility. Then July came. After celebrating my birthday with friends, I decided to apply to a doctoral program. I was eager to– 1) enhance my career and 2) prove my credibility. I felt like it was something I had to do. Was my heart in it? Honestly.. no. Recently, my sister and I had a conversation about my decision to pursue my doctorate. She said that she wondered if my failed experience led me to the doctoral program. The answer was “Yes.” Y’all, I could not lie. How could I? She already knew. Transparency.
I have written all of this to say, my two year hiatus (I like to refer to it as my sabbatical) was much needed. I can truly say I needed that time to make mistakes, expand my knowledge, and rebuild my confidence. I cannot say that I am fully where I want to be, HOWEVER, I am back on track.
Right now, I am sitting here smiling as I think about how God works. He actually builds us through adversity. I have already noticed that I am a much stronger person than I was two years ago– mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, intellectually and somewhat physically (work in progress- lol). Y’all, it was worth it.
Now, on to moving forward. Please check out my blog below, Pursuing My Purpose. I wrote it on this day, two years ago. It is the last blog I wrote under A Research Diva’s Journey. Destination– The United Nations.
I used to believe we chose our purpose. However, I have finally realized our purpose chooses us. Today I embark on a journey to fulfill my purpose– …
Pursuing My Purpose
Shaun ~ God is working!
I’m in my feelings right now. What do parents do when their children leave home? I thought I would be okay, but evidently I am not. I have always wanted my children to be independent. I do not believe in kids staying at home and leeching off their parents. I will help, but I refuse to be their caretaker for the rest of my life. Anyway.. I am not an empty nester just yet, but the time is quickly approaching. My son will be a junior in high school and he has already become so independent. Between spending time at his dad’s and with his cousins, he is only home a couple of weeks before he’s gone again. This time he was home for two days, now he’s off living his best life, again. Don’t worry, he’s not out hanging with a bunch of people. He’s hunkered down with family who are taking proper COVID-19 precautions. Anyway, here I am at home trying to adjust to being alone. I always said once my two left I would do this and do that. Well, I guess that was a lie. Did y’all hear Maury? I did! Lol. Maybe if I could travel freely, things would be different, but I’m not sure if they would. I am not going to complain too much. At least God has granted me a couple of more year to adjust. I guess I will consider this my transition period.
Anyhoo… just felt like sharing. Does anyone have any advice? Over the past month, I have signed up to volunteer for different events and serve on a couple of committees. So I will definitely be busy. I guess I’m missing him so badly because he just left a few hours ago. I am pretty sure I will be better tomorrow. Lol
Don’t feel like editing, so it is what it is. Thanks for reading.
Enjoy your weekend!
Shaun
Hello July!
What do you have in store?
Please tell me it is something good. Something that will make my heart sing and toes curl. Something that will keep me smiling all month long.
I’m not being unreasonable, am I? Nah… I am worth it because I’m blessed!
Shaun
Today I am choosing to be present. To actively live in each moment. That is what I did on my birthday; and honestly, that was one of the most peaceful days I have ever experienced in my life. No lie. No anticipations– just went with the flow. Y’all, I even worked on my birthday and did not feel the least bit of anxiety because I was not doing what I had planned. That day, I actually let go and allowed life to happen. And guess what– everything worked out perfectly. So today, with God’s help, I know I can do it again.
Praying you have a peacefully, blessed Sunday.
Shaun
It is not even 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning and I am wide awake. Actually, I have been up for a couple of hours, now. Today I was supposed to go to Mobile to continue my birthday celebration with my sisters. They had a day full of wonderful COVID-19-safe events planned. Unfortunately, the celebration must be postponed.
You see.. yesterday I began feeling sick. More than likely it is sinus issues, but I do not want to chance it. The day before yesterday, Mississippi had a spike in new COVID-19 cases. Y’all, over a 1,000 new cases were reported in one day. Yesterday there were half as many. As much as I want to celebrate with my sisters, I have to stay safe and make sure they remain safe, also. Y’all, this virus is something serious!
Right now I am having an early morning jam session. Zhané’s Vibe is currently playing.
Oh… before I go, we did decide to have a video call later today. So the celebration will continue, just not in person.
Forever Grateful
Shaun
Yesterday was so AMAZING! I laughed.. and danced.. and sang.. and ate.. took selfies.. and danced some more. Yesterday I let loose! As the old people used to say, I cut a rug!! LOL! I had no worries or complaints, ONLY laughter and love. Yesterday, I was me– authentically ME!
Before I end, I have to give a shout out to my two. Y’all, I know I say it all of the time, but I truly have the BEST children in the world. They know me so well! They embrace my quirkiness, which allows me to be free. I am so blessed to have children who love ALL of me.
Here are a few pictures from yesterday. Y’all, they made me a selfie wall. Lol. For those who know me, know I am the worst photographer but I LOVE taking pictures, especially selfies.
#Year47
Shaun
One day a princess was born. Her mother named her LaShaundrea. Today is LaShaundrea’s birthday. Now a queen; nevertheless, always a princess at heart.
My response to the UK’s #247Challenge
#NationaWritingDay
Thanking God for allowing me to see another year of life. Y’all, I am three years shy of half a century. Yay!! Yeah, that is how I view 50. It is not half of 100 but half a century. That term just makes me feel regal. Hence, I am a queen! Lol.
So, every year I set a theme for my birthday year. Last year’s was “New Beginnings.” Over the past few days, I have been trying to come up with a theme for this year. I am stuck between “Just Be” and “Being Present.” Both are about being authentically true to myself. I am who I am and I need to fully embrace me. I need to embrace my thoughts, beliefs and decisions, even if they are unpopular with others. This year, I am giving myself permission to be a little selfish and a little less selfless. Do not get me wrong, this does not mean that I am going to be rude, or disrespectful, it just means I really need to put myself first.
Anyway, looking forward to another blessed year. Yes.. a very blessed year. God is good!
#Year47
Shaun
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