One of today’s Facebook memories was a reminder of when I first started creating and sharing inspirational content (2018). I updated the video to include graphics from 2023 and the one I shared earlier today, which included my first drawing for the year.
Facebook Memory: January 6, 2022
Much too often we forget to celebrate our small successes along the way because we’re so anxious for the BIG win. Well, today I’m celebrating mine. Over the years, I have watched my inspirations evolve. They are no where near what I would like for them to be, and have yet to reach millions (yeah.. thinking globally), however, I’m still making progress. I see the growth. #Grateful #Progress
2018–2024
I am so proud of myself for continuing doing what I love. I am not sure where all of this is going but I do know it’s part of my purpose and calling. Can’t wait to see where Shaun’s Daily Inspiration will be 2-3 years from now.♥️
This time next year, you will be in a better place in all aspects of life because you did not give up. You overcame your fears, mastered your challenges, and blocked all self-doubt. Yes, YOU!
You kept going despite the odds. Now look at you all glossed up and bossed up! I see you, and I am so very proud of you. You did not give up!♥️ ~Shaun
Every year around this time I usually take a short social media break. It is how I clear my head to get ready for the rest of the year. Typically, I delete all of my apps to keep me from mindlessly tapping them. Well, this year my apps are still on my phone and I have not tapped on as usual. This is what I call growth.
I wonder how long this will last. Am I finally controlling social media without it controlling me? Been saying for years that this is what I wanted. Maybe it is finally happening. Maybe…
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…
You had to leave it/them behind in order to move forward. Couldn’t progress without doing so, and cannot continue to progress by holding on to the guilt. Release the guilt and move forward.
Here is last year’s blog which contains Facebook memories from last year and the year before—December 23, 2022 & December 23, 2021. Enjoy!
Rest is good for the soul. Get some! (Speaking to myself also.☺️)
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!♥️
Decided to include two Facebook memories in this morning’s post. Even though one is about healing from hurt and the other about love, I believe they were meant to be shared together.
Facebook Memory: December 16, 2018
Today’s message: “Hearing When You’re Hurting.” Bishop T.D. Jakes
Sometimes emotional pain is worse than physical pain, and it’s harder to heal. So many people are in pain. Some of it stems from years of hurt. But God is a healer. Amen
Facebook Memory: December 16, 2022
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is understanding. Love ALWAYS wins.♥️
As I mentioned earlier, I thought the two memories should be shared together. Have you ever heard the phrase, “hurt people hurt people”? Well, I never bought into the idea until recently. I used to believe that the phrase only referred to people who intentionally hurt others. You know, the vindictive ones. I never considered the unintentional hurts.
I believe it is not until you are healed that you realize you hurt someone else because you were hurt.
Without going into too many details, that’s exactly what happened before I decided to divorce my ex. After 17 years of holding on to the pain of my daughter’s father abandoning me (and all the other craziness), I forgave him. Y’all, that was when everything changed. My entire outlook on life had changed because I was no longer in pain. Sadly, my eyes were opened and I began seeing all the damage I had caused. This included my marriage. Up until then, I honestly hadn’t realize I had married him out of pain. Little did I know, I was one of those hurt people who hurt people.
Now love…
I believe love is everything I had defined it to be—patient, kind, and understanding. However, I do not believe it is possible to fully love someone else while you are still in pain. Shoot…you don’t fully love yourself because if you did, you would let go of the pain. I still cannot believe it took me 17 years. I almost repeated the same mistake when my ex wouldn’t sign the divorce papers after almost 4 1/2 years. I had to let that pain go.
So, here is what I have learned from my experience. It’s not until you are healed from the pain that you realize—1) your pain can cause you to unintentionally hurt others and 2) fully loving someone else—including yourself—while you are still in pain, is impossible.
Life is definitely full of lessons.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful day. Love you.♥️
This post is for those currently experiencing setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments. Despite how dire life might seem at the moment, please know that your story is far from over. You cannot give up. You are so loved. Brighter days are ahead. Believe me, you will make it as you have many times before. There is no doubt that you will win!
As Pastor Joel Osteen would say, “You are the victor.” You will win as you always have. Remember, God’s got you!
I can hear Yolanda Adams singing, Victory. Can’t you? Smile
This time I remembered it was Sunday. I don’t know what I was thinking last Sunday. Laughing
I didn’t really know what to write for today’s Hello Sunday so I went searching for inspiration. Well, I didn’t have to search long. When I opened X (I really wish he wouldn’t have rebranded Twitter), I had a notification that someone had retweeted one of my tweets from months ago. It was a comment I had made during former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book tour for The Light We Carry. It was a quote from her father—“You fall. You get up. You keep moving.”
Your faith will sustain you.
That’s today’s message–
You fall.It happens. Life happens.
You get up.Brush yourself off. Your story isn’t over.
You keep moving.That was only a small part of your story. God has so much more in store. Soooo much more.
Praying you have a wonderful Sunday. I love you!♥️
As soon as I published my last blog I could hear God speaking, calming my frustration. Yes, I was a little frustrated. Here is the message He gave me. Hopefully you can use it too. It’s for all of us who have become frustrated with this growth process.
The message…
Do not be discouraged. You are exactly where you are suppose to be. You may think that you should be further along but you are not. Timing is everything.
Then I was reminded of what a speaker had said about timing. They said everything happens at an appointed time—meaning everything connects when it is meant to. I’m not sure who said it but they said what if the person you were meant to connect with wasn’t even born when you expected things to happen. What if God is still preparing that person or thing you are supposed to connect with? Do you jump the gun because you are too impatient to wait? Do you ditch the process all together because you do not see anything happening? Or do you wait, and continue waiting, until the time is right?
God has reassured me that everything will happen at its appointed time. Frustration will also happen. Unfortunately, it is part of the process. However, we do not have to give in to our frustrations or make rash decisions. No, what we must do is lean into God even more, and allow Him to guide us to where we are meant to be. We will get there. Love you!♥️
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!♥️
I’ll get there, eventually. Growing…
On another note, “Savior More Than Life,” by Kirk Franklin and The Family is still on repeat in my head. It’s been like this for days now. I can listen to music all day but once I turn it off, this song pops back up. Is my spirit on auto-worship mode and this is its worship song? Right now I am hearing that I just need to lean into God a little more as if a protection mode has been activated. Whew, Lord. I’m listening.
Well, this is how my day has started. As I stated above, growth is a process and I am still growing. Some days I have no idea if I am still in seed form or if my leaves are finally growing. When will my flowers begin budding? Sighing. Only time and life will tell. Until then, I guess I will lean into God a little more—get all comfy—and allow Him to love on me. Y’all have a wonderful day.
Do not be discouraged. This is not where you are meant to stay. God is growing and preparing you for where you are going.♥️ ~ Shaun
There is so much more to come.
Had to come back and add an update. Yesterday, I came across this exact sermon Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts had preached in Denver. All I could do was smile and shed a few tears. What if she would have given up after 2018? Just think, everything that transpired over the last year would not have happened.
Y’ALL!!! We have to keep going. I have to keep going. I know deep down there is sooooo much more God has planned for me. This is not where my story ends. Listen, I cannot afford to give up, and neither can you!! We must keep growing. Love you!
It’s Shaun’s World 
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