Happy Monday! Not sure why I fell asleep with Cry On by Commissioned stuck in my head. Then woke up with Ain’t No Need to Worry by The Winans and Anita Baker playing over and over in my head. I shared both songs on social media. The first one last night and the latter, this morning. Both songs imply that problems, heartaches, disappointments and pain are only temporary. That if we would just hold on, it would all be over in the morning. Honestly, it’s hard to believe the pain will ever subside, especially while we’re deep in it. However, over time, the pain eases and life gets better. Please, hold on!
Sending prayers and love to those who need it. 🙏🏽♥️ ~ Shaun
Overall, this month has been pretty good! I am excited to announce that I have adopted a new favorite pastime – Drawing!
I have always loved art and spent countless hours drawing as a child (no cable television– lol). While in middle school I took art classes as electives but wasn’t really serious about it. In adulthood, I have spent years admiring others’ work while secretly wishing I could tap into my artistic side again. Well, as the saying goes, “There’s nothing to it but to do it.” Smile.
So that’s exactly what I am doing. I am drawing again! Every day I draw something. Anything. The finished product doesn’t have to be perfect, look good or even be recognizable, as long as I am drawing something. My intention is to become a better drawer/artist over the next year with the ultimate goal of one day becoming an renowned artist. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about legacy and what I want to be known for. Well, besides love, kindness, compassion and being an overall good person, I want to be known for my writings, quotes and artwork. If you have been following my blog over the past month, then you have seen some of my work. I am calling my collection Shaun’s Smile because it’s what makes me smile. Feel free to follow me on Twitter: Shaun’s Smile or Instagram: It’s Shaun’s World to view more of my work.
I used the following drawings with my quotes. Enjoy! ~ Shaun
On this date last year, I woke up with the word “Steadfast” on my mind. I wrote that’s all I kept hearing. So today I’m sharing the same word and message with you. Remain steadfast – immovable; not subject to change; loyal. As I wrote last year, DO NOT give up!! God is working. ~ Shaun
So, how was your February 22, 2022 or 2.22.22? Mine – it was FABULOUS! I received an email for the virtual premiere of A Madea Homecoming!! Y’all, I was so excited! I was running around the house SCREAMING like I had just won a million dollars. Anyone who follows me on Facebook or Twitter knows I LOVE Tyler Perry’s movies. And anytime a new movie comes out, I always make plans to see it the day before it opens because it makes me feel special. You know, I get to preview the movies before everyone else. Yes.. I’m smiling. BIG grin!!
Anyhoo.. About three years ago, while I was preparing to go see A Madea Family Funeral, my house flooded. Y’all.. no lie.. I was in my bathroom putting on makeup, thinking about how I was going to be laughing (yeah.. I could see myself laughing), when my son runs in my room and yells for me to come out of the bathroom. Of course I ignored him. Lol! I was in my own little world. Well, since he wouldn’t leave me alone, I opened the door to see what he wanted (still not sure why he didn’t just say the house was flooding) that’s when I saw water all over my bedroom floor. As I entered the kitchen and living room, I was devastated. I had about 2-4 inches of standing water everywhere!! Luckily, most of it disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. Needless to say, I did not go to the movies that night. However, I did laugh. Like really laughed. Instead of laughing at Tyler’s movie, I was laughing at my own. Y’all, God really does have a sense of humor, and the majority of the time we’re the only ones who get it. I actually laughed harder than I would have had I gone to the movies. Anyway, everything was good. I called my landlord at the time and he had someone to my home in less than an hour. A few days later, my house was dry, the baseboards were replaced and I had new drainage systems installed in the backyard and on my roof. A year later I purchased the house and haven’t had any problems since. God is good!
Okay.. back to yesterday. Y’all, last night’s premiere was everything! It made up for me missing the first showing three years ago. Now I’m in tears. I just love the way God loves me. I’m blessed.
Well, I hope your February 22, 2022 was just as wonderful. Thanks for reading and have a fabulous week!
I’m currently reading – The Life You Long For: Learning to Live From A Heart of Rest by Christy Nockels. So far, so much of her story has resonated with me. Especially the part about being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life trying to achieve goals and the lifestyle you have always dreamed of that you neglect to live. The funny thing is you believe you’re living until you actually begin living. As Christy calls it, it’s living from a heart (place) of rest. In other words, living from a place of peace and contentment.
As Christy has noted in her book, it takes a moment to get to a place of rest and once you get there, it’s still challenging to remain in that space. Because as we know, we cannot control the things that happen around us, but as pastor and author, Joel Osteen would say, we can control how we respond.
For a few weeks now, more so the last two weeks, I have been thinking about the freedom of choice. As we know, socially and economically, everyone does not have the same level of freedom when it comes to choices; however, all of us do have the freedom to make choices, even small ones. Although it is impossible to control others’ actions or events happening around us, we can control our reactions and actions, which is a choice. So when I refer to the freedom of choice, this is exactly what I’m referring to. Nothing intense. Nothing political. But personal choices that we make daily.
Since I have been living from a place of peace, I have noticed that my choices are different, they’re better. I respond to situations much differently than I used to. The things that used to make me anxious, no longer bother or upset me. I’m also learning to be kinder to myself. Which is BIG! Y’all, I really was my own worst critic. I’m also less judgmental. I have always loved people’s uniqueness, even my own, but that didn’t stop me from judging. Yes, I’m human. Overall, life is so much better than before and it’s all because I have chosen to make it better – I have chosen to live from a place of peace. Now, I would be lying if I said my life is always peaceful, that nothing happens that throws me for a loop. Y’all, every day.. yes, EVERY SINGLE DAY I’m faced with things that challenge my peace; and every day I make the choice of how I respond. To me that’s freedom! And I’m loving it.
Word of advice – which is what has gotten me to this place of peace – if it disturbs your peace it’s too costly. Let it go.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Praying you have a peaceful week.
Before I forget, Happy Galatine’s Day to all of my Gal Pals! You are loved and forever appreciated.💘🌹
Y’all, life is good and God is awesome! Came across the following post in my Facebook memories from a year ago. Basically, it sums up how I’ve felt over this past year.
Facebook Memory: February 13, 2021
January was pretty awesome! What a way to start the year. Listen, I’m still amazed! I believe God just loves loving on me in public sometimes.☺️🥰
Y’all, never did I imagine I would be an author. I love blogging and journaling, but I never pictured seeing my name in a book. Never!! Well, besides my thesis, which I still need to have bound.🤦🏽♀️
Seriously, last month I stepped outside of my comfort zone and did something else I never imagined myself doing– I promoted myself. I promoted my work. It’s one thing to do it here, among family and friends, but completely different doing it among peers and strangers. First, there’s the fear of being noticed. Then, there’s the fear of being imperfect. Yeah.. over the years I’ve allowed those two things to keep me from moving forward. Well, today I can happily say, writing, promoting and launching the book gave me the confidence I needed to step into the next dimension of my purpose. Believe me, the fear is still here. However, it’s not stopping me from moving forward because there’s so much God has for me to do.
Also, I want to thank everyone for your support. I truly couldn’t have done this without you. I appreciate you giving me the space to be me. Thank you!🙏🏽❤️
That was the beginning. Since then, I have launched LaShaundreaB, LLC, createdShaun’s Daily Inspiration and expanded It’s Shaun’s World to include my love for food, travel and fun (follow me on Instagram and TikTok). As I stated earlier, I never knew being part of the book anthology (Finally Free) would give me the confidence I needed to step into the next dimension of my purpose. Never once did I imagine I needed that boost. Honestly, I thought I was good where I was. Although I’m not completely out of my shell, and sometimes still retreat to my comfort zone, I’m on a totally different level than I’ve ever been and ready to go higher. God is good!
If you would like to follow my journey, you can find me on TikTok (2 accounts):
It’s Shaun’s World 
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