Remember to stay in control of the pen. Your life is your story, and you control the narrative. While you may not be able to control everything around you, you do have control over how you react or respond in different situations. This, in turn, lends to the outcome of your story. So, write your story, and make it good. Oh… and start over as many times as you please. Remember, it’s your story. Also, be sure to write the truth because lies will only limit the impact of wonderful experiences.❤️
Love you,
Shaun
Facebook Memory: June 18, 2024
Who knows you better than yourself? No one. You are the only one, besides God, who truly knows what you desire from life. So write your story. Feel free to revise as you evolve. Remember, it’s YOUR story.
A few years ago, I posed this question—“What do you want?”. Smiling as I think about it. Of course, all kinds of things popped into my head when I thought of the things I wanted. However, what I really, truly wanted weren’t things at all, it was peace. Peace within.
Well, I’m so happy to report that I found the peace I was searching for. Listen, all kinds of craziness can be happening around me and I always find myself at peace. Now, it doesn’t always happen instantaneously. Sometimes I find myself wanting to join the chaos or allow things to linger; however, God has a way of easing the peace in. Y’all, He is so smooth. I just love the way He loves me. Favored & Blessed
Here’s today’s Facebook memory.
Facebook Memory: June 12, 2021
What do you want? Simple question, yet not always easy to answer. Most of the time when we’re asked this question we respond based on our desires at that particular moment or where we are in life. Quick and easy answers will suffice in the moment; however, deep down we know there’s so much more. When was the last time you asked yourself what is it that truly want out of life?
I planned for peace. I sought it out, and God gave it to me.
Of course, I want more than peace. However, what I am beginning to see is the peace I asked for is opening doors and making room for other things I desire. Honestly, I am just letting God do His thing and bless me as He sees fit. He knows best, and His blessings are above anything I could have ever imagined or dreamed.
Last night, my son asked if this is where I pictured myself at 50. And my response was, I never even imagined 50 (from an adolescent/young adult standpoint). I had no idea I would experience life the way I have. Yesterday, I attended an event for women veterans. At even 18, I never imagined I would join the military. Had no clue I would have my first child a few years later. Didn’t know I would live in Germany or Turkey. I mean, soooo much has happened since then. So, making it to age 50 is such a wonderful blessing and feeling. I have a home. I’m healthy. My kids are healthy, and they are thriving adults. And…I am finally living in the peace I asked for.
Side note: I keep stressing the peace part because I used to let things bother me. Like really bother me. I was what people referred to as a “worrier.” Felt like if I wasn’t worried about something then I wasn’t living or I didn’t care. Oh, how life has changed. I am so loving this space I’m in, and loving life over 50.
Well, I think this is it for today unless I decide to add something later. Also, I don’t believe I sent you well wishes today. So I am doing it now. I pray your day is exceptionally beautiful.♥️
Every experience, every lesson, every tear, heartbreak, setback, and disappointment were all for a purpose. Everything we’ve gone through will be, or is currently being, used to help us along our journey, or to help someone else along theirs. So, none of it is being wasted. Be Blessed.♥️ ~Shaun
Keep journeying on.
For those who saw the original post, I thought of something better—same message, new title and image.☺️
Y’all, today was the first day in months that I didn’t wake up and go straight to my Facebook memories. Hadn’t even thought about them until now (it’s almost 9 AM). No, today was different. Today, I woke up thinking about my future, not my past. I didn’t even read past journal entries. Hmm… think I can get used to this. Anyhoo… I needed content for my second blog so of course I finally checked my memories. Here’s one from 2022. Smile.♥️ ~Shaun
Facebook Memory: June 11, 2022
God is working! You may not see it or feel it, but He is. So hang in there. Don’t give up hope. Your time is coming.
Push through feelings of awkwardness, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Push through insecurities, thoughts of inferiority, and feelings of shame. Push through the setbacks, disappointments, feelings of abandonment, and heartaches. Push through the anger, sadness, and loneliness. Push through until you make it to the other side. I can attest that it will not be easy, but it will be so worth it.
Oh… While you are pushing, make sure you are also praying. Prayer and continuous communication with God will sustain you once you get there.
Today’s Facebook memory has me smiling from ear to ear and in tears. Y’all, what are the odds of actually getting a second chance, getting a do over? Listen, and hear me good, DO NOT give up on your dreams. I can hear Yolanda Adams singing—
“I have a word to share with you. Those who feel God has forgotten you. I know you feel your time has passed. God’s only saving the best for last. And your future’s greater than your past.” Donald Lawrence’s Best For Last featuring Yolanda Adams
I know this word isn’t only for me!! Listen, it’s not over. Your dreams are still intact. If God has given me another go at my dreams, I know He will do the same for you. Your time has not passed. Nope. Not at all. God was only saving the best for last. Your future will be greater than your past.
My advice, because this is what I did and am still doing, stop trying to figure this thing called life out. Stop trying to figure out what your future will look like. Honestly, we can paint a million pictures of how our future might look and God will flip the script and do something we never imagined. We cannot predict what will happen or how things will turn out. We just can’t. So, let life flow and be open to new opportunities and possibilities, and keep your dreams alive. Don’t let them go. I’m seeing 80 year olds getting their doctorate degrees. So all isn’t lost, just delayed until the right time; and only God knows when that is. Until then, enjoy the here and now. Stay present and let God do the rest.
Love you!♥️
Shaun
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to have another conversation with the late John Lewis. However, that opportunity happened by chance anyway. I literally bumped into him as he was coming out of his office. Truly a destiny moment. This is definitely a sign that I cannot give up. I must keep going.
Decided to continue my Purpose series (didn’t know it would become one). For years, I have known what my purpose was/is; however, I have never known how to fully embrace it. My purpose is connected to my dreams and part of my DNA, and there are people attached to them.
Here is another Facebook memory (had so many gems today, some I shared elsewhere):
Facebook Memory: June 8, 2019
Happy Saturday! Here’s today’s social media find. Progress IS progress. Encourage others, but also encourage yourself. It’s true, we’re usually our own worst critic. Just because you’re not where you thought you’d be by now, doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
This is where journals come in handy. Journals allow us to look back and see how far we’ve actually come. Believe me, if you’re better off than you were a year ago (like me 🙋🏽♀️), then you’re making progress. So cut yourself some slack. You’re doing great! Remember, God is working!!
It’s definitely been slow, but continuous. Had a few setbacks but I kept going, and will keep going. Photo Credit: Unknown
This was my first time serving as President-Elect. Beyond grateful for second chances. I had so much more to give, so much more to do. Listen, even when you have given up on your dreams, God has not given up on you. Your purpose is much too great for you not to keep going.
Last year on this date, I shared two posts—one was about purpose, which I basically reshared this morning, and other was the reblog below. The reblog was based on a message written on a butterfly display —“Your life is unfolding according to The Divine plan.”
Stay focused on God, not what’s going on around you. Believe me, He’s got you!
And life is doing just that, unfolding according to God’s plan. Although we have some control over how it unfolds, it’s probably not as much as we would like, and that’s a good thing. Keeps us humble. What I have learned over this past year is to allow life to do what it’s going to do. Of course I must continue to do my part which is to keep striving towards my goals and dreams. However, I cannot get caught up in the whirlwind of things happening around me, nor allow the tactics of the enemy (because they are real) throw me off course. I must remember at all times, and you should too, life is unfolding according to God’s plan, and He is in control.
Praying you have a lovely day and wonderful weekend.♥️
A few years ago, I shared the following image with the caption, “What are you writing? Hope it’s something beautiful.”
Shared on Facebook on June 6, 2021. (Photo credit: Unknown)
None of us knows what the future holds. Most of the time we look at it through the lens of our past. If we are not careful, we will continue to write and create the same stories.
This year (Year50), and my mom’s death, forced me to stop and reflect on the limiting patterns and stories I kept repeating and creating. Some I had been doing my entire life. I couldn’t seem to let certain parts of my past go. Not so much physically, but mentally. However, once I decided this side of 50 would be different, I intentionally began to make it different. And I am still doing so. It’s an ongoing process that I am committed to continuing. Not sure where my story will take me, but I do know—not believe—it will be beautiful.
I pray your future is just as beautiful. My advice is to release control and allow God to do the rest.♥️
Love you always,
Shaun
Side note: I used to be terrified of giving God complete control. Didn’t fully trust Him with my future. (Being transparent.) I believed He would bypass my dreams and aspirations to only fulfill His purpose and plan. Now I realize my dreams and aspirations were always part of His purpose and plan. He’s the one who gave them to me. So I have to trust Him to do the rest.
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