My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
As you can see, the screenshot above is from last year, May 23, 2023. When I tell you that caption is a word, for real!
“Be sure to check your ego at the door. It’s not charity. It’s God’s favor.♥️”
And the hashtag!
“Don’t miss your blessing”
Whew!! Y’all already know I’m shouting!! Listen, timing is everything! It is not charity. It’s favor!!!
Okay… I believe I am done for the day. However, if God keep on moving and revealing like He’s been, I’ll definitely write more.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Before you say “I do,” check your motives or reasons for getting married. Here’s what I wrote five years ago when reposting a video that motivational speaker, Trent Shelton, had shared. His caption was, “Marriage will change the title but it won’t change the person!”
Facebook Memory: May 20, 2019
Not sure if I shared this video before. If so, I’m gonna share it again, because it’s on point! Before you get married, ask yourself why you’re getting married. And be honest!
For me (I KNOW I haven’t shared this before), I got married because: 1)I had a set timeline – had to do it before I was 30, 2) listening to others’ thoughts of what was considered a “good” spouse, 3) I was a single mom- single moms rarely found men who would treat someone else’s child like their own, so I thought (learned this from others and from my experiences with step fathers), and 4) I wanted to be seen as someone who was worthy of marriage, because I didn’t feel worthy. I felt like my past mistakes had made me unworthy and I should’ve been happy that someone wanted to marry me. I had no clue of what I was getting myself into. It wasn’t like God didn’t send warnings. Just thought I knew best.🤦🏽♀️
Before you say “I do” be honest with yourself. Don’t let the thought of getting married, or wanting to feel “worthy,” have you make the wrong decision. That one mistake can be costly- financially, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Here are some of the things I learned. Heed God’s warnings. Believe me, He’ll send plenty. Trust your gut. Don’t try to make the person fit your future. If they don’t fit, THEY DON’T FIT! And if you weren’t happy before you said “l do,” you definitely won’t be happy afterwards. You can only pretend for so long.
Lastly, I knew things were off when I could never picture us growing old together. I could never see a future with him. Honestly, I tried, but I just couldn’t. Life. Life lessons.
That was actually written 11 days before my ex finally signed the divorce papers. Whew!! What a time that was. Here’s what else I have learned since I have had years to reflect:
Marriage is sacred (for real) and shouldn’t be entered into without love. Period! So many marry for reasons other than love. I know because, as you can see, I did. Then, reality sets in. It’s when you realize you made a lifelong commitment to someone you 1) didn’t love and 2) it’s for a lifetime (you don’t go in with divorce on your timeline). So here’s what you do. You first try to make things work to save face, especially if you’ve made sure everyone knew it was the best decision you ever made. However, no one knows you are slowly dying on the inside because you entered a commitment you knew you shouldn’t have. Then, you long for the real thing. You want to love and be loved, but now you’re stuck. Ha!! Oh, to be stuck or feel trapped is one of the worst feelings in life.
Listen, the next time I get married (because I will remarry—ain’t no doubt about it) it’s a decision I will not take lightly. Next time I am marrying for love, AND that love must be mutual. No more one sided relationships. I was once fooled when a person who had been married for years had told me “that love thing wears off so do not marry for love.” Well, that was definitely a lie. What they should have said was the newness may become a little dim (if you allow it to), but love doesn’t go away. If it does, it was never true to begin with. It was either infatuation or all for show. And I say this because for one I have been there, and secondly if that were true, love in all relationships would eventually fade away. Nah… it was never love.
Here’s part of my marriage story I don’t believe I ever shared.
If you know me, you know I love a great love story. Well, my ex and I were in his aunt’s wedding—a little over twenty years before we got married—as ring bearer and flower girl. We were on pictures together. Y’all, when I tell you it was the perfect story. You see, we briefly met that summer in Jackson, MS. My mom and his aunt were good friends. We participated in the wedding, then about a month later my mom moved us to Kansas. A little over 20 years later, we reconnected through the same aunt. Talk about the perfect Hallmark story. Ha! But it wasn’t a movie, it was reality. Y’all, believe me when I tell you reality will always trump the fantasy.
Again, think long and hard before you say “I do.” Listen, marriage is a realm of its own and should be kept sacred.
Guess what?! I’m getting married!! (Manifesting it!) Smile
Wishing you a wonderful week.
Be Blessed♥️
Shaun
If you do not heal, you will not grow.
I repeat…
If you do not heal, you will not grow.
Meaning…
You will never reach your fullest potential if you do not heal. You might get a glimpse of it, but you will never reach it.
Heal so that you can grow.♥️ ~Shaun
Listen, I couldn’t help but smile when I came across one of today’s Facebook memories (included at the end). My only response when I shared the post seven years ago was, “I’m ALL IN!”
Thinking back, I thought being committed to the process would be a cakewalk. That being “ALL IN” meant it was only up from there. It’s funny how I did not account for the unpredictability of life. Nah… when I said I was all in, I just knew I would conquer every obstacle successfully the first time. Laughing because I had no idea of the roller coaster ride that was ahead. No idea that I would go through some of the same experiences (different situations with different people) multiple times before I could actually move forward. I didn’t know that I would self-sabotage opportunities or be used or abandoned by people who I thought had my back. Nah… you see, when I declared I was “all in,” I was at a point in my life where life was good. I was finally coming out of the trenches, and I could only see up from there. And up is where life has gone, but not without a few bumps, hiccups, and lessons along the way.
So, here is what I have learned over the past seven years. Being fully committed is a process. It’s a decision I make daily. No lie. Y’all, there are so many mornings when I wake up motivated and pumped, then by noon I want to throw in the towel because this commitment thing too hard. Listen, when I tell you God loves me! It’s God’s love, patience, presence and guidance that keeps me going. He always sends me just what I need in those moments that give me the strength and confidence to press forward.
Here is something else I have learned. The product of commitment is not for display. It’s not something to take pictures of and post for others to see. No, this commitment is sacred. It’s between myself and God. It’s a space that no one else has access to. Unlike back then, and even up until a year or so ago, I felt the need to show people what God was doing behind the scenes. I thought it was more important for me to show/share what God was doing than to let it happen authentically. I did it to be transparent. I was so big on transparency. Little did I know, my transparency was limiting my experiences with God. I was so focused on sharing the process and my testimonies that I couldn’t fully comprehend or embrace what I was experiencing. Whew! When I tell you I am loving this space I’m in! I am finally in a space where only God and I reside—a space that is exclusively for two. No guests allowed.
Growth!
Anyway, I believe I have written enough. I may or may not delete a few things. However, I believe leaving it as written is probably the most authentic. So, I’ll keep it all. See how easy that decision was. Smile
Here’s the Facebook memory I have been referring to—“Are You All In?” by Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Facebook Memory: May 5, 2017
My answer is still the same—Yes, I’m all in!
Praying you have a peaceful Sunday. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Never give up on your goals or dreams. They may not happen when or the way you envisioned them to, but they will happen.
This has been my prayer, lately:
Lord, please let me be able to recognize and receive what I dreamed. Please let my ego and stubbornness die so that I can enjoy every blessing You have for me. More of You, less of me.
I know my purpose is too great for me to keep getting in my own way. Yes, sometimes I get in the way of my own blessings, dreams, and goals. Not anymore. It’s time for me to see my goals and dreams fulfilled. There’s so much for me to do!♥️
More of God, less of me…
Shaun
Wise words from last year… and I wrote them. Smile
Facebook Memory: April 28, 2022
Set yourself free! Release past hurts, guilt, disappointments and shame. Harboring even the smallest resentment can make it difficult to receive and enjoy blessings. Release opens doors for receiving love, joy, opportunities, and success. Let go and be free!
It’s true, if you want your life to change for the better, you have to let things go. Holding on to past hurts, grudges, disappointments, and even shame, only hurts you. It also stops you from fully growing and receiving all of God’s wonderful blessings. Listen, I don’t know about you, but I don’t only want some of my blessings. No… l want all of my blessings. Every last single one. Smile. Let it go!
On another note— My daughter came home yesterday for her friends’ wedding and is leaving this afternoon. So, I am going to spend as much time as I can loving on her before she leaves. Smiling
Praying you have a wonderful Sunday!♥️
Love you,
Shaun
You may not feel it, might not even believe it, but you were chosen for a reason and this season. God could have chosen anyone else, but He chose you. You already know what you have been called to do. God did not call anyone else to fulfill your purpose. No, He called you. It’s time for you to step up and walk in your calling.♥️ ~Shaun
Shaun’s Daily Inspiration: April 5, 2022
Smile. God is still working. Whatever He began, He will finish. Hang in there.
It might take years, but God always finishes what He begins. Unlike us, He does not get tired or give up. Even when we have given up, He continues working. So, do not be discouraged by the wait or setbacks. I believe it is His way of making sure we are prepared to properly accept, handle, walk in, and live in the finished product. We have to be ready for it.
Y’all, I am so grateful God is patient and allows us time to process our fears and doubts. That He overlooks the countless times we self-sabotage opportunities because of our feelings of inadequacy. Yes, I am so grateful that He does not allow our egos to win. I don’t know about yours, but I know my ego can be a bit much at times. Grateful He does not give up on us when we have given up on ourselves.
Grateful and blessed.
Remember, whatever God began—even in your childhood—He will finish.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Let me guess. You are waiting for the perfect moment to get started. Waiting until you have everything you need, or believe you need, before making your big move. I know. I know because I have been there, and in certain circumstances I am still there. Yes… I am still a work in progress.
Well, from what I have learned from past experiences, there will never be the perfect time to get started or make your next move(s). You just have to do it. You have to do it without seeing the entire picture. You have to do it without knowing the outcome. You have to do it because if you don’t, your life will never change.
Just take the first step and allow God to guide you through the rest. I promise you, you will not fail. Now, I am not saying everything will be smooth and easy. However, I do know God won’t let you fail. He won’t. Trust Him and move.♥️ ~Shaun
Facebook Memory: March 15, 2023
Embrace where you are at this current moment. No, it’s not where you are meant to stay. It’s where you need to be for a specific purpose as well as for growth. Find out what you can glean from this experience.♥️
That was a year ago. Here are a few lessons I have gleaned:
Spend as much quality time as possible with the people you love. They could be here today and gone tomorrow.
My superwoman days are winding down. I am not as strong as I used to be…or as strong as I once thought I was. I must—not an option anymore—take more care of myself than I do others.
Obedience, patience and trust. To be obedient even when things do not make sense. To be patient while God works. To trust God with all things. Again, it’s time for me to hang up my cape.
Honestly, I feel like I am exiting a place I have been in for a while. I have outgrown it and am now entering another phase of life. I do not know what it holds; however, as I mentioned before, I am trusting God with all things. Expecting greater.
I pray you have a wonderful day and beautifully, blessed weekend. Please take care of yourself. Love you!♥️
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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