It’s never too late to start planting seeds for the fruit you’d like to see, hold, and eat in the future. If you didn’t plant them 10–20 years ago, or even yesterday, you can still plant them today.
I just realized I hadn’t spoken yet! I hope you’re doing well. Me, I’m just sitting here laughing at life. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
Storytime…
A short while ago, I went to take out the trash. Usually, I’m careful when I move the trash can outside because I’ve seen lizards lurking underneath. Well, since I hadn’t seen any in a while, I didn’t hesitate to move it. Big mistake! Or more like BIG SNAKE! A long green snake came from underneath the can. It didn’t run. Instead, it raised its head and looked at me, and I looked at it. I told it that it could have the trash can. Then, I slowly backed away, let the garage door down, and came inside. By the time my son went to pull the trash can to the curb, the snake was gone.
Y’all, life is like that snake. Sometimes things will catch you off guard. However, I’m finding that the way you respond makes all of the difference. Had I started jumping and running, I’m pretty sure it would’ve reacted similarly. The key is to remain calm. Ask yourself if it’s a threat. If not, keep pushing. If it is, remove it or yourself from the situation.
Election Day is right around the corner, and things are becoming increasingly tense. Be careful and be mindful of your surroundings and who’s in your presence.
As life happens, keep this in mind—it all works out in the end.
This is all I have at the moment. Praying you have a wonderful day!♥️
Last year, I shared the following quote/image that I had saved to my phone on October 11, 2020.
I’m pretty sure that when I saved the picture I was all revved up…
Hold on! Let me go see how I was feeling that day. Gonna check my journal to see if I mentioned anything.
Wow!! I didn’t find what I was looking for, but found a gem instead.
Quick note: This is a glimpse of my writing process in real time. I start off writing about one thing, then in mid thought, stop to see if I have an experience to add to what I’m writing. Sometimes I don’t, but many times I do, whether I mention the experience or not.
Here’s the gem I found:
October 11, 2020 Shaun’s Journal Entry
Sarah Jakes Roberts “Dig Until You Get Back To Power”
Power and unbelief can live in the same place. It doesn’t mean you don’t have power, you just have to keep striking at the unbelief. God does not take back the power He’s given you because of your unbelief. You have to keep digging until you tap that power.
Sometimes we’re anointed to do something but accustomed to doing another. Sometimes what we are accustomed to shows up instead of our anointing.
Unbelief and disbelief aren’t the same thing. Disbelief means you don’t believe in something that has happened. Unbelief means you don’t believe in something never done before. When you have unbelief it’s the opportunity to believe on another level. Now is the time to grow my belief. Amen.
A whole sermon! Didn’t know I needed this message today until now. God is so good. I just love the way He loves me!
This is all for now. I am so blessed. I pray you have a wonderful Sunday. May it be filled with lots of love, harmony, and blessings.♥️
For years now, I have had LaShaundreaB’s Wellness Wednesdays on my calendar; however, I seldom take my wellness day. Well, today, I can’t take the full day, but I plan to take at least half the day to focus on my wellbeing. Yay Me!
Anyhoo… Back to the song of the hour. The song that I’m singing this morning is Yolanda Adams’ song “I’m Gonna Be Ready.” The song says—
I say a prayer every night Whatever I do, I’ll get it right With no regret, no guilt or shame this time No not this time
Once I surrender, I won’t dare look back ‘Cause if I do, I’ll get off track Move ahead in faith, and patiently await your answer What will it be?
Sight beyond what I see You know what’s best for me Prepare my mind, prepare my heart For whatever comes, I’m gon’ be ready Strength to pass any test I feel like I’m so blessed With you in control, I can’t go wrong ‘Cause I always know, I’m gonna be ready…
Y’all, God has been so good to me. I’m so thankful for sooooo many chances to get this thing called life right. I’m finally at the stage in life where I’m moving without regret, guilt, or shame—all three!
I’m so looking forward to where this next stage of my life will take me now that I’m truly committed to taking care of myself first. I know I’ve been stressing this a lot lately, and I wish that I could fully explain what this means to me. Maybe one day I’ll be able to find the words. Just know that I’ve reached another level of freedom that I never imagined possible.
Feeling grateful and blessed.
This is all for now. Remember to take care of yourself, because when it’s all said and done, besides God, you’re truly all you’ve got! Others can only do so much. The rest is on you.
I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the past post below. It’s a reminder to LIVE!
As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve always had to make an effort to put myself first. It never came naturally. One call, one sound, or one look of despair, and I’d drop everything to tend to someone else’s needs. But not anymore. I believe that last conversation with my daughter finally got my attention. She told me that I needed to focus on me, and only me. She was right. My mom’s gone; she and my son are grown; my dad and stepmom have each other; my siblings have their spouses and family; it’s just me! For the first time in my life, I’m solo.
Here’s the post I shared three years ago, when I was a new 50 year old.
You better live! Life isn’t slowing down or waiting for you to catch up. Stop putting everyone else first like they’re more important than you. Listen… and hear me good… No one is more important or more valuable than you are. No one! You’re not being selfish, self-centered or inconsiderate. Nah… You’re just recognizing your worth. Now it’s time you start living in it. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun
So far, it’s been a week since I made a conscious effort to prioritize myself and my needs. Seeing this message today confirms and encourages me to keep moving in this direction. Not sure where it’s leading me; however, I’m looking forward to meeting the woman I’m becoming. The woman God predestined me to be.
Shaun, I got you girl!😘
Just a little self-love this morning. Smile
This message is also your reminder that you matter and must take care of yourself first. Take care of YOU before you pour into others.
For a few days now, I’ve been dreading this day because I didn’t know how my emotions would be when I woke up. Would I be sad? Would I grieve? Would it just be another day? Well, today I woke up feeling neither sad nor grieving. However, after scrolling through my Facebook memories, I decided to share my experience from seven years ago.
On October 5, 2019, my brother celebrated his 46th birthday. Several days later, he was admitted to ICU, and about a week or so after that, he was gone.
While checking my Facebook memories to see if I had made a birthday post on that day, I saw the post below and decided to share it. Y’all, this particular post drove my anxiety level through the roof! I logged off social media afterward because I was so overwhelmed. You know how you can feel something is about to happen, but can’t pinpoint what? Well, that’s where I was. The caption in the post kind of explains what I was experiencing.
October 5, 2019
The confusion and tears were so real.😔
Here’s what I shared in my journal entry on the same day:
Oh, today and sometime last week, the “Everything happens for a reason” popped up on social media. When I mentioned it today, I only referred to this particular time period. About an hour ago, I remembered that this year started off with the song by Zhane, “Reasons.” For about a month, it was my theme song. I couldn’t get it out of my head. Now, here I am, close to the end of 2019, and I’m hearing it again. God is working.
In the post, I used the hashtag #GodIsWorking, and as you can see, I ended my journal entry with “God is working.” Even though I was experiencing anxiety like crazy, I still believed that everything that was happening—and, unbeknownst to me, would later happen—was still under God’s control. I trusted whatever God was doing.
Now, here I am seven years later…
A lot has happened in seven years. Y’all, I’m sooooo glad I stopped hearing Zhané’s song “For A Reason.” Talk about traumatized every time I heard it after my brother’s death.
Oh, and I had forgotten to mention that my mom (not my brother’s mom) was admitted to the hospital the day before. What a crazy time that was!
My thoughts are still the same today as they were back then— “Rest assured, God’s got you [us]. He already has everything worked out. Just trust Him.”
The other hashtag I must mention before I end is the last one in my post— “Your purpose is too great to give up.” Whew! Talk about powerful! I had no idea what was coming. I’m so grateful I didn’t give up!
Today’s going to be a beautiful day because God is in it and still in control. Despite everything that happened seven years ago, I still trust God and His plan.
I pray you have a wonderful day and week. May both be filled with love, joy, and peace.♥️
Since it’s Friday, here are two flashbacks from this day six years ago. Both resonated with me this morning.
October 2, 2026 – Facebook Memories
God placed me where He could grow me.
I feel this.
I understand this.
Fannie Lou Hamer—an American icon and leader from the Mississippi Delta. (She was born and lived not even an hour from where I was born.)
Mrs. Hamer’s statement reflects where I currently am in life.
“When I liberate myself, I liberate others.”
Even though this week has been all about me, I know this journey isn’t only about me. I’ve spent most of my life putting everyone’s needs before my own. Not intentionally. It just happened that way. However, this week, I realized I could no longer effectively help anyone until I helped myself first—until I liberated myself.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mrs. Hamer had breast cancer when she died. She suffered in silence while putting others’ needs before her own. Let that sink in…🩷🕊️
If you’d like to read more about Fannie Lou Hamer and her work as a Civil Rights grassroots leader, here’s a good source from Women’s History.org: Fannie Lou Hamer.
Yes, I was placed here to grow.🪴
This is all I have for now. I pray you have a beautifully blessed day.♥️
I love you,
Shaun
By the way… Tyler Perry’s latest movie, Doing Life, is streaming on Netflix. He said it’s his most powerful movie yet. So y’all already know I can’t wait to see it!😁
Y’all, I have gotten more rest in one day than I have this entire year! No joke. On Monday, I accepted that I must put myself first—not second or third, but FIRST! I am my only priority. Then, yesterday, I rested. And not like I had been resting before. Nothing like what I’ve done previously. I’m laughing because I actually cleaned my house and did laundry. The rest I needed wasn’t physical; it was mental. I needed to rest my mind. I didn’t listen to any podcasts, or watch any spiritual or motivational videos. I put on a random show, downloaded a random game on my phone, and did housework in between playing the game and watching the show. I also responded to a few emails. But I didn’t even check my email until sometime yesterday afternoon. Oh! And I also said a few no’s. No’s without the guilt—the guilt I would typically place on myself.
Yesterday, I broke free from the box I’d put myself in. Sometimes, we create our own stress—lol, and I was definitely creating some of mine.
Yesss… yesterday, I set myself FREE!
Here’s to me doing better and being better, because I matter to ME!🎉
By the way, I retired my “Quote of the Day” posts. There’s still a quote, but it’s now part of my daily inspiration message.
This is all for now. I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday. May it be filled with lots of love and peace.♥️
You must be logged in to post a comment.