Hello 2024:
Please be good to us!♥️
~Shaun
Hello 2024
Tag: gratitude
Happy New Year!
Easing into 2024 with love, peace, joy and gratitude. Thankful for all that I currently have while looking forward to the blessings this new year will bring. I pray that your 2024 is filled with unconditional love, peace, joy and blessings. Love you always!♥️ Shaun
Happy New Year’s Eve 2023
Social media has been excited for weeks now for this day—12/31/23 (123123)—to come so I thought I would mention it. (Smiling). Life is interesting and people are even more interesting. Gotta love them both.
Anyhoo…
Today is the last day of 2023. I pray whatever you were hoping for happened, or somewhat happened. Below is what I wrote last year in my final blog for 2022. I will say my 2023 turned out as I had somewhat hoped it would have because I stayed true to how I approached it, with humbleness and gratitude. I did not ask for much nor expected much, and was grateful for every blessing God sent my way. Here is what I wrote last year.
Happy New Year’s Eve by Moi
Y’all, 2022 was one eventful year! I’m so grateful God was with me every step of the way. So grateful for His guidance, grace and unconditional love.
Each year, instead of a setting a New Year’s resolution, I set a theme for the year. This year’s theme for 2022 was “Unapologetically Me.” I loved and lived up to it. I didn’t set it for others to see, or even notice. It was personal. It was for me to feel and embrace, and I did. Let’s just say it’s how I needed to end this decade of my 40s. Smiling
This coming year I’m entering a new decade of life, my 50s, and want to do things a little differently. Nothing bold. Nothing deep. The energy I’m taking into 2023 is humbleness and gratitude. It’s the energy I would like to have as I usher in the next half of my life. Gotta leave the negative energy on this side of my century. Smiling. Honestly, I’m looking forward to turning 50. God is good.
Okay.. so here is the ultra-condensed, yet very significant version of my accomplishments in 2022:
• I conquered a few fears.
• I found myself again.
• I released control.
I just wanted to add, releasing control was probably the most rewarding. This year, so many things happened that were beyond my control. I had no choice but to give in and go with the flow. Then, there were the things I could control. Well, I found out they weren’t worth the headache or heartache, so I let them go. Y’all, I never knew releasing control could be so freeing. This is a whole-nother level of freedom I never knew existed and I’m loving it!
As I mentioned earlier, I am focusing on humbleness and gratitude in 2023. Not expecting much. Not asking for much. Just grateful for what I already have. If God decides to bless me with more, I will be just as grateful.
As I enter 2024, I plan to remain humble and grateful for everything I already have and anything extra God decides to throw in. The amount of peace I have experienced by doing so has been immeasurable so why change it!
Next year, my goal is to continue practicing what I recently began doing a few days ago which is to stop fighting against (worrying about) things that unexpectedly pop up in my life, and to go with the flow. To allow God to navigate through the craziness while I rest in Him. To have my listening ears open and be prepared to move when He says move and relax when He says relax. To stay at peace despite the chaos and confusion happening around me. To continue loving the way I love as well as embrace the love surrounding me. To build a stronger relationship/bond with God. To stay under His covering and protection. When I tell you God’s protection is everything! Whew!! You better try it! Lastly, to take care of Shaun. Yes, to take care of me. To love and protect myself just as much as I do others. To put myself first so that I my cup remains full while I pour into others.
Well, that’s that. Praying you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Talk to you later.
Love you!♥️
Shaun
Yes, I Am Here
Y’all, I finally got to see the 2023 version of the movie The Color Purple and I absolutely loved it!! If you have not seen it yet but have seen the original movie, play or read the book, I suggest you go in prepared to have a new experience. It was wonderful! And Fantasia! Listen, Fantasia did that!! I felt every word of the song “I’m Here.”
As 2023 ends and 2024 rolls in, I want the universe to know, Baby, I am here!!! Yessss…. I’m here!
I’m Here by Fantasia
Lyrics: LyricFind
I don’t need you to love me
I’ve got my sister, I can’t feel her now
She may not be here, but she’s still mine
‘n I know, she still loves me
I’ve got my children, I can’t hold them now
They may not be here, but they still mine
‘n I know
I know I still love them
Hey
Got my house
It still keeps the cold out
Got my chair
When my body can’t hold out
Got my hands doin things like they s’post to
Showing my heart to the folks that I’m close to
I got my eyes though they don’t see as far now
They see more ’bout how things really are now
I’m gonna take a deep breath
Hey
I’m gonna hold my head up
Gonna put my shoulders back
And look you straight in the eye
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
When they walk by
I’m gonna sing out
Sing out yeah
I believe I have inside of me
Everything that I need to live a bountiful life
With all the love inside of me
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree
And I’m thankful for each day that I’m given
Both the easy and the hard ones I’m livin’
But most of all
Yes I’m thankful for lovin’ who I really am
I’m beautiful
Yes I’m beautiful
And I’m here
Yes you are, you are here.
Thankful
The current song that’s playing in my head is Marvin Sapp’s, “Thank You For It All.”
Y’all, I am still here. YOU are still here. What a blessing! No matter what we have been through, currently going through, or eventually will encounter, we have soooo much to be thankful for.
The song says—
I thank You for it all
The good, bad, the ugly, great and small
The times of victory, and when I fall
I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall
I thank You for my tears
The pain helped me overcome my fears
You’ve been good to me down throughout the years
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing here
All that I am is because of all that You brought me through
And everything I survived, it’s all because of You
If you have not stopped to give God thanks today, I hope that this post prompts you to. You are truly blessed. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Love Is…
Facebook Memory: December 27, 2021
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4
When I reshared the post, I added–
Love does not hurt.
Embrace it. Bask in it.
Give love and be loved.
Also on December 27th (2014), I reshared God’s Fruit (Facebook page) post–
Let’s make today about love. I would say everyday, but one day at a time is a good start.
Yes, let’s be intentional about spreading love.
I will start…
I love you, unconditionally!♥️
Shaun
Updated to add…
As someone once said, unconditional love is not unconditional tolerance. Please know the difference. You can love someone unconditionally from afar. You do not have to tolerate the disrespect, hate, and/or harm. Please don’t! Also, don’t let your heart grow cold. A cold heart stops you from receiving and giving unconditional love.
Grateful
Hezekiah Walker’s song, “Grateful,” says–
I am grateful for the things that you have done
Yes, I’m grateful for the victories we’ve won
I could go on and on and on about your works
Because I’m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, it’s gratefulness
Flowing from my heart is gratefulness. There is so much I have to be grateful for including still being here. Every day on earth is an opportunity to witness God’s glory. So often we miss it because we are looking for it in something grand. Today, I encourage you to be intentional about seeing God’s glory, even in the simplest of things.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
My Relationship With God
Have you ever written an entire book (exaggerating) only to not publish it? Well, I just did. I know I wrote a good chapter describing my relationship with God starting with when I was an adult-child (yes, adult-child—smoking, shoplifting, etc. …heavy on the etc.) getting saved at eight years old; to my life as a sanctified teenager who went to church almost every day; to being a young adult who only called on God when needed; to completely ignoring Him in my 30s; to building the bond I currently have with Him now. Hmmm… I guess I could have written it like this the first time. Oh well…
As you can see, my relationship with God started decades ago. Thankfully, what began in fear (of going to hell) is now a relationship of reverence and awe. Y’all, up until this past decade, I did not know a relationship like this was even possible. As Kierra Sheard’s song, Indescribable, goes–
Indescribable, uncontainable
You place the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Although we are here to fulfill a specific purpose in the world, we are also here to glorify God; to worship and to praise Him. Y’all, He loves our praises.
God, You are so amazing!
Keep the praises going.♥️
Shaun
The Rebirth: Part 2
Below is a post I wrote last year about my Facebook memory from the year before (December 23, 2021). Guess I have been sharing my memories for a while now—smile. So, since the memory has already been shared, I will use the same quote (too good not to reshare) and piggyback off of what I shared yesterday about rebirth.
The rebirth…
The rebirth will require us to leave things behind. Things that have held us back and/or been haunting us for years, even decades. It’s time to release them so that we can move forward in our purpose.
When I started my journey on this side of 50, I had to release quite a few things (people too, some released themselves). At first, it didn’t feel good. Honestly, it felt like I was losing part of myself including my identity. If you have read any of my monthly “celebratory” blogs (one is coming tomorrow!), you know I went through a spiritual, emotional, and mental pruning phase. Baby, when I tell you it did not feel good! Had me grieving for real. But it helped me see what had to go and what needed to stay. Everything that is still with me today was meant to stay. Now, I still have some decluttering to do but it’s nothing like the pruning. Whew!
Tomorrow, I will be 50 1/2 (smile) and will share another celebratory update about my first six months on this side of 50 (woohoo!). So stay tuned…
Here is last year’s blog which contains Facebook memories from last year and the year before—December 23, 2022 & December 23, 2021. Enjoy!
By the way, I did put up my Christmas tree, played Christmas music and watched Christmas movies most of the day. It changed everyone’s mood. My babies have always fed off of my energy. It’s no different now that they are adults. I still have to set the tone for my little family despite what I may be feeling. I love seeing them smile.
I pray you have a wonderful day. Remember to love on someone today, and allow yourself to be loved on. There is no greater gift than love. Give it. Receive it. I love you!♥️
Shaun
Declare Victory and Focus on the Good
Y’all, I am really considering bringing back my Wednesday Writings. I used to share so much…perhaps a little too much. Guess you can say it’s where I shared my most transparent moments and feelings. Below is one I shared last year on this date. When I say it’s so timely and right on point!
Yesterday, I wrote about the atmosphere shift I could feel taking place, and about staying rooted and grounded in God and most importantly staying covered. Well, last year I wrote about declaring victory not defeat. Baby, I was going through some things and I had to let the enemy know that NO WEAPON formed against me would prosper!!! And I took the advice I shared yesterday, I stayed rooted and grounded in God and allowed Him to lead. Here’s a little of what I shared.
Facebook Memory: December 21, 2022
Y’all, life happens and challenges come. Be sure to VERBALLY declare victory over the overwhelming. Yes, speak your victory into the universe and watch things change.♥️
Listen, I was going through some things and at this moment, I am still going through a few things. Seems like you can never have the good without a little bit of bad or vice versa, you have the bad but there is always a little bit of good in each moment. My advice is to focus on the good, the positive. Focus on how great our God is. Y’all, He’s so good!! So very good. Honestly, I can barely remember what I was going through last year, but I know that whatever it was God handled it, and I know He will handle things again. I needed this memory. I am declaring victory over my life. What the enemy meant for harm will not prevail! My God is greater and mightier! Amen
Y’all, I cannot stress it enough, I am truly, truly blessed! I just love the way God loves me. He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. Forever grateful.
Thanks for reading. I pray that you are preparing for a peaceful and relaxing holiday break (those who have one), and spending the holidays with family and friends.
Be Blessed!♥️
Shaun
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