hope, trust God

Seven Years Later

Hello and Happy Monday!☀️

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.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

empowerment

Hello Sunday (296)

Happy Sunday☀️

Facebook Memory: October 4, 2022

Where you begin rarely looks like what you envisioned. Give yourself space, time and grace to grow. Don’t give up. You’ll get there!♥️ 

Recently, I decided to prioritize myself and my needs first. In doing so, one of my goals is to get 5-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Right now, it’s about 3-4 hours. When I wake up, I usually stay awake for 1-2 hours before falling back asleep. Then, I only sleep for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Y’all, this new self-focused version of me is something I must be intentional about working on because it’s definitely not something that is happening naturally.

Yes, growth is a process.


This is all for now. I pray you have a wonderful weekend. May it be filled with lots of love, laughter, peace, and joy.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

empowerment, Life

The New

Happy Thursday☀️ And Happy October!

Today is reserved for all things new.

It’s Time For The New

New month.

New things to do.

Last night I decided to start reposting on Substack (Shaun Inspires). Thought I’d give it another try. Hadn’t realized I made so many posts before I abandoned it. I was struggling with figuring out how to connect. Today, I’m not too much concerned about connecting. I’m at a point in life where I just want future generations to know I existed and that I held a space in this point in time.

Yes.

I’m here.

I exist.

Feeling like Miss Celie from The Color Purple— “Dear God, I’m here!”

Blessed to be in this space in time. Taking nothing for granted. Purposefully and intentionally setting out to do something new for ME.🥰


I pray you have a wonderful month. May it be filled with lots of love, joy, peace, and happiness.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

trust God

Thank You, God

Stopping to say, Thank You, God. Thank You, for being You.


Be sure to take a moment to thank God for everything He’s done and is doing in your life. The things you know about and those you don’t. Thank Him for His love, mercy, and grace. For His kindness, covering, and protection. Amen

Always stay in His presence.🙏🏽♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

Life

I Had To Rest My Mind

Good Morning☀️ and Happy Wednesday!

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.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

empowerment, self love

My Journey With God, No. 150

YOU are your priority. Not another task. Not another goal. Not another mission. Not another person. YOU, my friend, are your only priority. Everything else is secondary.

Your Priority

My kids have been telling me for the longest that I am my only priority. The last time my daughter was here, she kindly told me that although she’s glad I still consider her and my son when making decisions, they should no longer be a factor in whatever I choose to do. She said that I need to reimagine my life not centered around them.

So what did I do? I started taking on tasks and putting other people’s needs, goals, and interests before my own. Not like I hadn’t been doing it before. Smile. But yesterday was my breaking point.

Yesterday, by noon, I had become so overwhelmed by everything I had taken on that I could literally feel my blood pressure rising—plus I was having hot flashes like CRAZY! Y’all, hot flashes are no joke!! Then, yesterday evening, I saw a post about one of my step-cousins passing from an apparent stroke. He was only a year younger than me.

After finally taking time to sit and breathe, I remembered what my daughter said, I am my only priority.

Today, I need to focus only on myself and what I want to achieve. I live to help and be there for others, but who’s here for me? Who’s helping me? Umm… no one besides ME! So I need to make sure I put myself first and do it daily, not just today. I’m not being selfish. I just want to live a long, healthy life. I have at least 50 more years of life to live.😊


This is all I have for now. Thanks for allowing me to share/ramble. I pray you have a beautifully blessed day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

God’s plan, hope

This Message Is For YOU

Good Morning☀️and Happy Monday!

This message is for YOU!

It has your name written all over it.

You may not have known you would need this reminder today, but GOD DID! Who else heard that last part in DJ Khaled’s voice? Smile.

Eight years ago, God knew you would need to read this message today and at this particular time.

And I’m so glad He chose me to deliver it to you.😊

Here’s your message:

Best For Last

Your time has not passed. Your future will be greater than your past. Amen


This is all I have for now. Keep your head up. God has great things planned!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

gratitude

Hello Sunday (295)

Happy Sunday!☀️

Singing— “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Amen

God, thank You for allowing me to see another day and experience Your grace and blessings. I never want a day or moment to go by without acknowledging Your presence in my life.

Feeling thankful…


I pray your weekend has been lovely thus far. Wishing you a beautiful rest of the day. May it be filled with lots of love, laughter, and joy.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

empowerment

Your Future Is In Your Hands

Good Morning☀️ And welcome to another Self-Love Saturday.🌸

Today’s quote is—

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” –Pope John Paul II

Quote of the Day – 9.26.2026

Your future starts today, not tomorrow. God’s already equipped you with everything you need to begin working towards your goals and dreams, today. All you have to do is start.

If you’re like me, with hundreds of ideas floating around in your head and unsure where to begin, ask God for clarity and guidance. Then, allow Him to walk you through the process. From experience, it may not always be the process you’d like to go through, but in the end, it will be worth it. I’m sure of this.

Again, it’s Self-Love Saturday! Do something that makes your heart smile and future self proud.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

By the way, the song that’s currently playing in my head is Marvin Sapp’s “You Are God Alone.” God is good.

You Are God Alone by Marvin Sapp

empowerment, Life

Perfection Is An Illusion

Good Morning☀️ And Happy Friday!🌸

Decided to check my Facebook memories this morning. Something that I rarely do nowadays. And this memory/quote hit me like a ton of bricks!

“You’re not a perfectionist, you’re just scared.” –Gary Vaynerchuk

When I tell you I felt called out! THIS is how God usually gets my attention.

You see, perfectionism is what I’ve been dealing with lately. It’s the real culprit in me feeling drained this past week. It’s not the amount of projects I’m working on or me overcommitting. It’s me overthinking and constantly revising things to make them perfect, when perfect was never possible. Smiling because my daughter said this very thing after I submitted something I was working on.

I just love her!🥰


Here’s a sneak peek at today’s post under Shaun’s Daily Inspiration:

I believe Gary Vee is right. Perfectionism is more about fear than being perfect. Gotta overcome that fear.

Anyhoo… I’m going to take a quick nap before I start my day. Today I’m releasing perfectionism. No more reviews and revisions. Only submissions, publishes, and sends.

Happy Friday to me!☺️


This is all for now. Wishing you a beautiful day and lovely weekend. Be sure to do things that make your heart smile.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.