Today, I didn’t just vote for myself, but I voted for my momma, my grandma, my great grandma, my great-great grands—mothers, aunts, cousins, godmothers… Yes, today, I voted for them.
But that’s not what has me all emotional and excited right now. Nah… that’s not it!
Listen, I just voted for five year old Shaun!!! Screaming
Yessss, I just voted for her. I just voted for that little girl who followed former President Jimmy Carter’s every word and action about peace. Yes, I just voted for her! I just voted for EVERYTHING I once dreamed possible. Listen, we will sing my song one day!! I voted for the possibility of a more peaceful, kinder world. A world where people aren’t tolerated but celebrated for their differences. I voted for equality, togetherness, compassion, justice, and humanity. Y’all, I truly believe I will see all of this in my lifetime. Even if it’s only for a moment.
No one believed we would see this day, yet here we are. So, any and everything is possible!
Y’all have a wonderful day! And even if the results aren’t in my favor, I STILL believe!!!♥️
We may not always understand what God is doing or why He has us go through certain things. However, I have learned that, at times, He gives us glimpses of possible answers. Yesterday, I received one of those glimpses. It was a glimpse of a promise, of a dream God had given me ages ago. All He ever asked of me was to trust Him completely, be obedient, and follow His lead; and I did—not always perfectly, but did (and I’m still doing).
Yes, yesterday, I received a much-needed glimpse at what God is doing and where He’s taking me. Of course, I’m not privy to the entire picture (I’ve learned to accept this), but what I see is enough to let me know I am heading in the right direction and that my dream is still intact.
Today, I am thankful for connections I made decades ago that have somehow come full circle (one of the speakers from yesterday’s event was someone I met during undergrad over 20 years ago). Thankful for recent connections (made within the past few months) that have encouraged and inspired me to push beyond my limits. Everything that has happened has been done in a way only God knew I would undoubtedly receive—from the people He placed in my path to the opportunities I have been given. I am forever amazed at how well He knows me! I know…He’s God. Smile
Y’all, I can’t stress it enough how I really did need for yesterday to happen, and to happen the way that it did. Even what I considered hiccups, needed to happen.
I just love the way God loves me.🥰
Thank you so much for reading and following my journey to becoming the person God’s created me to be. I pray you have a wonderful Sunday and extraordinary week!♥️
As I suggested four years ago, one of the truest test of our faith is our ability to stay focused on God (His guidance is best) when our current situation doesn’t match our dreams or vision. My advice is keep your blinders on at all times… ALL times. Blinders will keep you from becoming distracted by what’s happening around you, as well as prevent unnecessary delays. Listen, I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the delays, especially when they are very much preventable.
From here on, eyes forward and blinders on. God has so many wonderful things planned for you, but you must stay focused.♥️
I often share screenshots of previous posts instead of copying and pasting the captions so you can get the full effect of what was written. Sometimes, the hashtags I used are more meaningful than the text itself. Here’s what I shared two years ago (October 30, 2022).
Side note: Please feel free to let me know if you are not able to view any of my photos or links. I’ll never know unless I’m told.☺️
Trust yourself to make your dreams come true. I truly believe if God gave you the dream, then He gave you the ability to make it happen. First, you must stop trying to figure out how it will happen and start moving with what you have. Move, and God will guide you through the rest.♥️
“A culinary revival” is how I described the week I had ten years ago in October 2014. However, it wasn’t just the week I met Marcus Samuelsson, Leah Chase, and John T. Edge (the food writer and former director of the Southern Foodways Alliance) but also the months leading up to it. A few months ealier, I had been invited to a culinary event in New Orleans with Chef John Folse. So, by this time, I felt as if the culinary side of my life had been awakened, and it was finally time to use my culinary degree. Yes, I was somewhat of a chef many moons ago (2002)—degree only, never worked in the field. Let’s just say you never know where life will take you. You plan for one thing—I was set on being a personal chef and traveling the world—and life goes in a completely different direction. While doing part of my culinary internship at a local hospital, I met a registered dietitian, and the rest is history!
Honestly, I’m not sure what’s next for me and this culinary thing. It always seems to be lurking in the background. I use it when doing food demos for nutrition education, but I would love to do much more with it. We shall see.
Well, that’s all I have for now. I just love a good trip down memory lane. Thanks for joining me. Wishing you a wonderful day.♥️
Photo credit: Unknown. I shared it on October 18, 2015.
“Everything you are going thru is preparing you for what you asked for.”
Whew! Sometimes, I wonder what I asked for because I didn’t think it was much. You would think I asked God for the world. Laughing
Honestly though, what did I ask for that requires so much preparation?
Up until Year50, I thought I knew; however, at this point, I am at a complete loss. If you have been following me for a while, you know that I did ask God to make this side of 50 different from the last. Well, I guess I had one thing in mind, and He had another. This side is different, but not as different as I would have liked. Baby… I was looking for all things to be new (I mean, He is God😉), not just my mindset. But, I guess that’s where different starts.
Anyhoo…
I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me. I asked for different than what was, and I guess that’s what He’s preparing me for. However, it had to start with my mindset, first.
Right now, I’m just going with the flow. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty nerve wracking at times because I was so used to anticipating what came next. Now, I’m out here blindly following God’s lead, with absolutely no idea of what’s to come—like, none—completely clueless. Yep, I’m just out here trusting His lead, and trusting His love for me. I know He will not lead me wrong, and whatever different is, will be greater and better than I imagined.🙏🏽
Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading! I pray you have a wonderfully, blessed weekend.♥️
“Hey, You! Yes… YOU! I’m rooting for you. You will win!”
Guess what? I am still rooting for you! Just consider me your personal cheerleader. Pom poms, bullhorn, confetti and all! I know you will achieve everything you set your mind to do. Now, KEEP GOING!! Remember, great things take time. You’ve got this!♥️
This weekend was hard because it reminded me of my brother’s death in October 2019. However, now I’m remembering one of the happier moments of October 2019.
This morning I was bombarded with all kinds of wonderful memories of my fav being celebrated. Little did I know that two extremes could happen in the same month. To be on ten at one point—because I was celebrating and posting like I was there with Tyler Perry. I was so excited and happy for him! Only to hit zero—less than zero—two weeks later when my brother died. Y’all, I could scream now! Life is something else!
Anyhoo… I’m going to keep it on a happy note. No tears today.
Here’s what I shared five years ago after purchasing this magazine.
He deserves his roses.🌹
Now, here’s what I shared moments ago when I reshared it on Facebook.
Facebook Present😉: October 7, 2024
Great memory!! I believe this was one of Tyler Perry’s most memorable years of his success and brilliance being on display for the world to see. That summer he made one of his most famous speeches at the BET awards about the importance of ownership and not allowing anyone to stop us from fulfilling our dreams. It was also the same year, and around this time, that Tyler Perry Studios had its grand opening. Oh, and he also got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What a year that was!🌟
For me, it was the excitement of watching God fulfill a dream in real time. I had been following Tyler’s endeavors for a while, and it was great to see him celebrated. But, listen, Tyler’s dream isn’t the only one I’ve been following. No, I’ve been following YOURS, too! I see YOU, and I see what God is doing in your life. You may not always see it because you’re too close to it. However, God is working and doing some AMAZING things in your life. Whatever you dreamed WILL come to fruition. I see it!!
I look at Tyler’s story and his success as motivation to keep going. Yes, all of us will have setbacks, as Tyler did. However, we must not give up. Listen, cry when you need to cry. Take a break when needed. But whatever you do, NEVER give up on your dreams! Love you!♥️
**Just want to add, it’s so cool that he’s sharing the cover with baby Archie. I bet he never imagined in a million years he would become a godfather to an actual princess. How beautiful is that!💖
Again, great memory!
Y’all, as I mentioned, I’m following YOUR dreams, too. I see YOU. I see God working. I see who you’re becoming. Don’t give up!
Not only is today a new day, but it’s the beginning of a new month. Meaning, it’s the perfect time to start afresh and refreshed. Remember, yesterday is gone. You can only move forward from here.
Praying you have a wonderful day and a beautifully, blessed month. May God bless everything you touch and set out to do.♥️
Several posts ago, I mentioned a conversation with Dr. Cheryl Wood (motivational speaker) about taking a leap into the entrepreneurial world. Well, until I saw this Facebook memory (screenshot below) this morning, I had forgotten that a few years earlier I had become a sole proprietor, which became my side hustle for a few years. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking it because it—The Research Diva–RD—eventually became LaShaundreaB, Registered Dietitian and Research Consultant, the hub for all of my projects. I started with what I had.
Facebook Memory: September 30, 2017
I shared Jennifer Hudson’s song, “I Am Changing,” with the post.
As I said in my previous post, “Make It Happen, Today!”, if it’s something you really want to do, don’t put it off. Start with what you have and God will do the rest. After creating The Research Diva–RD, not even a year later, my confidence took the biggest blow. Y’all, knocked it down to ZERO. In all of the conferences and workshops I had attended, no one had prepared me for the hits. Every speaker made them seem like a small hiccup in the process. You know, “It’s just something you have to go through to get to the other side.” And to their credit, I will say, the pain or disappointment isn’t something easy to describe. All I can say is, it hurt! Had me second guessing my dreams and purpose. Didn’t even know if I wanted to remain a dietitian or in research. It was a terrible time for me, but eventually, like everyone else who’d experienced setbacks, I found my way back.
Listen, life is going to happen, and sometimes it will literally knock the life out of you. If or when it happens, please be kind to yourself, and give yourself grace and time to find your way back. Just don’t give up on your dreams. God put them in you for a purpose that’s much greater than yourself.
Well, that’s all for now. Just saw that post and thought I’d share it with you. Listen, don’t wait, make your dreams happen, now!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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