My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
Good things do happen.
Dreams do come true.
It is possible to love and be loved unconditionally.
Beauty can be found in even the darkest moments.
Do not allow anyone to convince you otherwise.
Keep hope alive by remaining optimistic.♥️ ~Shaun
Hello!
Confession… Before writing this particular blog, I had written another one. Right in the middle of writing, I heard that that particular message was only for me and not to share it at this time. I am learning that the enemy will often use your own words as fuel to attack you. Listening and learning.
On another note, here are a few memories from July 8th. I had so many memories I wanted to share but will only share a few. Will begin with last year’s and work my way back.
Facebook Memory: July 8, 2022
In case you forgot–YOU are enough.♥️
Facebook Memory: July 8, 2021
Facebook Memory: July 8, 2021
This was in response to a post someone else made–
THIS!! Most people won’t understand. I’m learning more and more that sometimes you just have to be quiet. God’s really been working with me about over sharing. I want to tell EVERYTHING! “Guess what God showed me!” Umm… be quiet Shaun. Lol. I’m so grateful for God’s love and patience. I’m learning.
I still want to tell EVERYTHING! However, I know that I can’t. There are things I must keep sacred.
Facebook Memory: July 8, 2019
Facebook Memory: July 8, 2019
I am going to end with a quote from a video I saw earlier today. It’s by track star Sha’Carri Richardson–
I’m here to stay. I’m not back, I’m better!
Sha’Carri Richardson after gaining the title for the women’s 100 meter race.
Yes, I am here to stay and I’m better. As I keep saying, this side of 50 is already different. God is good.
That’s all I have for you today. I pray you have a fantastic weekend. Love you!♥️
Shaun
I did not draw anything this morning. I actually slept in. Had a few crazy dreams but slept really well. Guess I needed a change of scenery or to be with my parents. I miss my mom. Her ashes were buried in a cemetery near here. I don’t usually visit graves after people die, but I have to go see my momma. I miss her so much.
Well, since I do not have anything new to share, I will share a few past gems from this day, one of which I reshared this morning on Facebook.
Facebook Memory: July 7, 2022
Facebook Memory: July 7, 2019
I reshared this memory this morning with the following quote:
Still enjoying BET Plus, a vision that came to fruition. A couple of months before I snapped this picture at Essence Festival, I had attended Madea’s Farewell play. During the intermission, they played a video of Tyler Perry celebrating 25 years in the industry. I believe it was in this video that he mentioned Tylervision, which is very similar to BET+.
Y’all, we really must stay the course! If God has put a dream in your heart, I don’t care how impossible or outlandish it may seem, stay the course because IT WILL HAPPEN. You may have setbacks and become discouraged, but stick with it. Sometimes you have to put blinders on so that you are not constantly comparing your growth to others. Celebrate them, then put those blinders on and keep grinding. IT WILL HAPPEN!♥️ Tyler Perry is THE GOAT!
Facebook Memory: July 7, 2018
Okay… that’s it for today. After I make a few posts on my other platforms and respond to notifications, I’m shutting things down for a while. I need to be present and enjoy my family. I love y’all!♥️
Shaun
Over the years, I have discovered one of the keys to knowing who you are is knowing who you are not.
I hate to admit that my road to self-discovery recently wrapped up–at least I believe it is over–during the last few days of my 40s. Maybe it was because I was so determined not to bring uncertainties and baggage into this half of my life. At the very end, up until a few days in, there were things I had to let go of, things I had held on to much longer than I should have. What I discovered was those things were hindering me from fully knowing and embracing my authentic self. Even though I knew God had made me different from others, I constantly questioned my worth and abilities. I also kept feeling behind or as if I had missed out on valuable opportunities.
I know I have only been on this side of 50 a very short while, but life really does seem different. I finally feel like I am dancing to the beat of my own drums. I no longer feel the anxiety and pressure of not being who or where I imagined I would be at this time in life. I contribute all of this to this year’s/half century’s theme–“Being present while residing in a space of peace.”
Y’all, just thinking… Christy Nockels’ book, The Life You Long For, really did prepare me for this.
Forever grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, He really does love me.
Thanks for reading. Wishing all of you a wonderful day!♥️
Shaun
Your dreams are important, too important to let die. No matter what comes or goes, or how much time passes, never give up on your dreams. Everything will happen at the appropriate time.♥️
When I was in high school, my English teacher gave our class personalized, handwritten notes. Mine was written inside of a card that a former student had given her. On the cover was a painting of “The Lady of Shalott.” I was drawn to that painting. It was like I could feel her pain and agony.
Here is the inside of the card with an additional note attached. The words from the attached note have keep me inspired, encouraged and hopeful for more than 30 years.
Was looking through Facebook memories and old journals to find inspiration for today’s blog. I could not find a journal entry from this date 20+ years ago, so I decided to include my Facebook post from last year, June 4, 2022.
“Just me being me.🤷🏽♀️😁 Y’all, life is good and God is sooo amazing. I’m so grateful for His mercy and grace. And the way He loves me – INDESCRIBABLE!! Whew! Getting emotional just thinking about it.☺️ Twenty days until #Year49, and I’m going to enjoy every minute because I KNOW #ImBlessed! 🙏🏽♥️”
As I mentioned, I could not find an entry written on this date over 20 years ago. However, I did find several entries between 1991-2002 written either the day before or after June 4. Y’all, I weep for that young lady. She was so lost, hurt and broken. For years, even decades, she accepted any and everything that was thrown her way because she felt unworthy and unlovable. When I tell you her self esteem was shot. I can see now that she was punishing herself for that one decision she wish she had not made. That one decision caused her to enter a downward spiral that led to self hatred and mental abuse. She consistently punished herself by allowing others to misuse and abuse her. She felt she deserved the pain because she had not lived up to the dreams and goals she had set for herself. Y’all, she did not know she could recover. Sadly, it would be decades before she realized that one mistake did not define her and that all of her dreams and aspirations were still in tact.
Now, here I am 20 days before Year 50. As I mentioned last year, I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, it is truly INDESCRIBABLE! Today, I can happily say that my life is drastically different than it was 30 years ago. That young lady is finally a woman who understands that that one decision was just part of her (my) story. Smiling
Year 50 is loading. Excited to see where this next journey takes me.
Shaun
Today I have decided not to focus on what is going on around me. Instead, I am focusing on good memories and positive experiences. Yes, today I am blocking all negative vibes.
Here is an excerpt from a journal entry that was written the day my ex-husband finally moved out of the house. I guess you can say that was the official beginning of the 4+ years of the separation/divorce process. Seems like an entire weight was lifted off our family that day. Yes… that was a good day, a very good day.
Journal Entry: March 26, 2015
“One last thing. Ki and KeShawn got my back if no one else does. Ki keeps me encouraged. It’s nice to have someone to bounce professional goals off of especially when we both have so many. Just talking to her makes me want to do more. Last night when I got in, KeShawn said I woke him up out of a good dream. He said that he was at a restaurant eating coconut shrimp, crabmeat sautéed in butter, lobster, and rice surrounded with eggs and bacon on top. He said he had a tuxedo on and me and Ki had on long pretty dresses. I told him that that sounded great. I want him to dream. I want them to dream. I’m so happy my dreams are in full force again. This time I won’t let them go. I can’t let them go. I saw one more post last night by Joel Osteen- “It’s not over. You’ve got to get in agreement with God. Start dreaming again. Start expecting again.” Hallelujah!!”
Can’t believe that was eight years ago. Forever grateful I am on the other side of that craziness! At times I did not think I would make it, but I did. God is so good.
Well, that’s all I have for y’all today. It just started raining and I need to get ready to get on the road. I’m going to see my mom today. She’s back in ICU. We (myself and my sisters) did get to video chat with her last night before she was transferred. I can’t wait to see her and love on her a little more.♥️
Also, I am heading to see my dad afterwards. I have an event to attend tomorrow afternoon and his house is at the halfway mark between my home and the event’s location. So I get to love on him and my stepmom this evening.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Also, thank y’all sooo much for your kind words and prayers. I really do appreciate you. Please have a wonderful day and enjoy your week!🙏🏽♥️
Shaun
Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.
Maya Angelou
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!
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!
Have a blessed day!♥️
Shaun
Much too often we limit ourselves to what is familiar… to what we know and see.
When I was in my twenties, God gave me a taste of what I said wanted but I was too naive to recognize it. For decades, I saw myself in international spaces. Wrote in my Senior book (high school journal) that I wanted to work for an international company. God gave me the Air Force. Said I wanted to travel to different countries. I lived in Germany and Turkey. Shoot, even said I wanted to live in the city I’m living in now, eight years before I actually moved here; and the move was not intentional, it just happened.
So, here I am actually living in all I have spoken… in all I have dreamed. No, nothing is or has happened the way I envisioned, but everything has happened and is happening.
For years, I have seen myself standing in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland admiring the flags of different countries. I have seen myself walking its halls and interacting with people from all nations. Well… I am already doing it through my blogs and social media platforms. No, I am not physically at the U.N.; however, everything I saw myself doing, I’m doing from the comfort of my home. Now, this does not mean I don’t want to go to Geneva, Switzerland because that’s still a dream of mine. What it does mean is I now recognize the gift I have been given and I am eternally grateful that I am living in my dreams.
I am truly blessed.
I would like to thank all of you for reading my blogs and helping me fulfill my dreams. I so appreciate you!♥️
If you don’t mind, please leave a comment and let me know where you are reading from. Thanks
Shaun
News Flash!
Our dreams and goals require that we work for what we want. We must also be patient and trust God’s timing while we work. Eventually, our hard work and dedication will pay off.
Have a blessed Sunday!♥️
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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