Today I would like to ask you to take a moment of silence to remember those who have recently lost their lives to mass shootings in the United States (May 14 – 24, 2022):
Buffalo, New York (Supermarket) May 14, 2022 10 lives taken
Laguna Woods, California (Church) May 15, 2022 1 life taken
Uvalde, Texas (Elementary School) May 24, 2022 21 lives taken
Prayers for their loved ones who are heartbroken and confused. Prayers for those who are saddened, hurt and angered by those who fail to recognize and address the racial and ethnical issues we have in the U.S.; as well as the gun violence that continues to plague the United States. As much as I desire to see the good in everyone, I’m actually beginning to believe that some people are incapable of love, empathy and compassion. Because if they were, they would care more about lives than their agendas.
I have to remain hopeful or I will become like them.
It’s so easy to become distracted and discouraged by what we see; and what we see changes daily. This is why we must focus on the promise, God’s promise. If HE said it, it WILL BE. Period! ~ Shaun
I’m learning this more and more. Take the first step and God will do the rest. I’m not going to lie, taking the first step isn’t always easy. Sometimes you have to take it afraid and sometimes you have to take it alone. However, in the long run, you’ll look back and realize it was all worth it.
Yesterday I posted my first blog! I’m excited because I’m following through with something I love. I have NO idea where I’m going. None. All I know is that I’m moving and I can’t stop. – Journal entry dated December 7, 2017
So far I have published almost 450 blogs between this site and my other. Yesterday, I posted the quote, “Success requires sacrifice which requires discipline.” I added the following to the post I shared on Twitter:
After reading #WillSmith’s memoir, I truly believe anything’s possible. Too often we allow others to define what our success should look like. But it’s personal and should only be defined by us.
Align your sacrifices and discipline with what you truly want and it will happen.✨
I added even more to my Facebook and Instagram posts. For me, success is not based on financial goals or popularity. It is based on the ability to do what I love, which includes making positive connections and spreading love, kindness and hope. These are the things that fulfill me. And believe me, each of them requires sacrifice and discipline.
It’s almost 4:00 AM. This time I fell asleep in the recliner. Woke up about an hour ago and can’t go back to sleep. So I guess I’ll write and share one of my Facebook memories.
Two years ago, I was on cloud nine. Life seemed so surreal. Two days before I had written the post below, the judge finalized my divorce. I had waited over four years for that day. I remember being so nervous as I entered the courthouse. I tried not to expect the worse but I did. The night before, I had googled everything that could possibly go wrong. What if my ex changed his mind? What if the judge decided not to grant the divorce? Sooo many what ifs. Y’all, I was a nervous wreck. I remember my lawyer telling the judge that I was really nervous. The judge assured me that I didn’t have anything to be nervous about. That I had waited long enough, she was signing the papers. After it was all over, all I wanted to do was hug my babies. They knew what that day meant. They knew what I had been through because they went through it with me. I always tried to hold it together around them. Never wanted them to see me sad or cry, but they knew. They were my rocks. I’m so grateful they allowed me to love on them over that four year period. The love I gave them they reciprocated, which has continued to this day. Honestly, I have never been loved so unconditionally. They are my blessings.
Y’all, I’m forever grateful I listened to God. Despite how crazy people thought I was for getting the divorce, I listened to God, let go and haven’t looked back. In April of this year, I did the same with my career of 15 years. I left it all behind and haven’t regretted it once. Unlike when I separated from my ex– all nervous and afraid– this time I wasn’t nervous or afraid. I happily let everything go knowing I was following God’s lead and that I was safe in His hands. I guess you could say the divorce and that four year period of only relying on God prepared me for where I am today. Without going through what I went through back then, I would not have been able to make it today. Y’all, I have been jobless since April 1st and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. God assured me He would provide and He has. Grateful.
Okay.. I’ve written enough. Here’s what I shared on June 19, 2019. By the way- Happy Juneteenth!!
Happy Hump Day! Here’s today’s social media find. Take the leap! TAKE THE LEAP!! I guarantee, if God said He’ll catch you, you have NOTHING to be afraid of. Words of caution– it’ll be a bumpy fall. You’ll have some scars. Mostly because you decide to trust yourself and not God. But it’s all good. Those bumps will help you grow and become stronger. Just know, in the end, when God catches you!!!.. Whew!.. You’ll KNOW it was well worth the leap.
Unlike that particular leap, this one hasn’t been bumpy at all. As I said earlier, I believe the first leap prepared me for where I am today. I learned from the first one to trust God, COMPLETELY! Forever grateful and blessed.
As always, thanks for reading my early morning ramblings.
No one knows what tomorrow holds, not even the next moment. Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed life changing moments (good and bad) happen in a blink of an eye. Y’all, one move, one decision, really can change everything. Some decisions were planned while others happened unexpectedly. I have learned that the key to maneuvering through changes is to completely rely on God.
Before I started writing this blog, I watched a video by motivational speaker Trent Shelton. Within the last month, Trent has lost his mother and grandmother. And just two days after his mom died, his baby girl was admitted to the hospital where she spent four days in ICU. In the video he spoke about faith, purpose, and the value of time. I’m so grateful I haven’t experienced any losses in the last few weeks, but I have learned a valuable lesson about faith, purpose and time– most importantly, time. If you would have asked me a few weeks ago which of the three was most important, I would’ve chosen faith then purpose. Today my answer is time, not as it relates to death but as it relates to life.
So, I just spent an entire week in my hometown. Something I haven’t done in at least 20 years. I went to celebrate my dad’s birthday and ended up staying longer than planned. As usual, God had a purpose. While there, I had a rude awakening about time. Because of the circumstances of my stay, I was forced to throw my schedule out window and go with the flow. I have always considered myself a flexible person, able to adjust to anything; but y’all, I’m not as flexible as I thought. It seemed like the more I tried to control things the more frustrated I became until I finally decided to let things be. Let time be. Honestly, I needed to spend time with family. I knew everyone was aging because… well… I’m also aging. However, I guess I never realized how much they were aging. My parents, aunts, and uncles now remind me of their grands and great grands. Seems like it was only yesterday that they were my age or younger. Now they’re in their 60s and 70s. All I can say is I’m so grateful God granted me the opportunity to spend time with everyone.
Now I’m back home. Y’all, I missed my babies. They leave me all the time, but this time was different, I left them.Being gone so long (yeah..I know it was only a week) made me appreciate the time I spend with them even more. Made me cherish the hugs a little more. My next move is to spend a little quality time with Shaun. I’m always promoting self-care but rarely do it. I have a few things scheduled for the first part of next week, but afterwards it’s all about me.
Here’s what I’ve learned. Time should be appreciated as well as respected. From the time God’s given us for self-care, to the time He’s given us with others, it must be cherished.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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