Eight years ago, I was listening to J. Cole’s song “Foldin Clothes.” I know, an odd song for a Christmas morning, but perfect for me and two.🥰
Fast-forward to today. Since I woke up hearing Whitney Houston’s song, “Who Would Imagine a King,” we decided to watch the movie The Preacher’s Wife. Now, we’re listening to R&B Christmas music. Who knew Luther Vandross and Babyface had so many Christmas songs? Lol.
We have two more must-see movies for today—“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” and “This Christmas.” Oh…And we will try not to break Netflix trying to see Beyonce’s halftime performance during the Ravens and Texans game. Believe me, this will probably be bigger than the Tyson vs Paul fight.🤭
So, what are you doing today? Are you listening to Christmas music or watching Christmas movies?
“I guess my prep time is up,” is what I wrote in my notes on December 24, 2020. I’m smiling because this message will forever be relevant, whether it’s next year or five to ten years from now. When you think about it, we are always preparing for something because God is always moving. He’s not a stagnant God. So, today, this message is for whatever God believes we are prepared to receive.
Smile, your preparation time is up. You’re ready!♥️
For several years now (since December 24, 2018), I have shared the same quote from Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming”–
“Am I good enough? Yes, in fact I am.”
For years, I questioned my worth. Seeing Michelle Obama (who’s #4 on my infamous list of people to meet) mention it in her book gave me hope. If she also questioned her worth at times and still surpassed her wildest dreams, then I could, too.
In 2018, I began a doctoral program to earn my DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) degree. I decided to pursue this degree after experiencing one of my most crushing moments professionally. Before then, I was always on top of my game. Personally, my life was in the pits, but professionally, it was taking off. Y’all, I was “The Research Diva!” I was so confident and sure of myself and where my career was going. Other professionals and organizations had begun contacting me because of my experience and expertise. However, I hadn’t accounted for some only reaching out because of the fact that I was Black. Once I realized I was only being used because of the color of my skin and my ability to reach populations some couldn’t, I was crushed.
After this realization, every project I was asked to work on, I questioned why I was asked. Was it because of the color of my skin? Did they truly recognize my worth? That’s when I felt if I had my doctorate, my race wouldn’t matter. But I already knew the answer to that, too.
So, for six years, I pursued the DrPH degree. I started strong, but then life happened…COVID happened…then life again. Last year, when I shared her quote, I had just finished another semester of the program, and I had a decision to make—spend more money working towards a degree that I was only pursuing to be deemed worthy or to withdraw. In May of this year, I finally withdrew from the program. Part of me felt like a failure because I couldn’t push past the fact that I was only doing it to prove my worth. Like girl, still get the degree! Then, the other half felt relieved because I could finally focus on the things I wanted to pursue, my real goals and dreams. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be referred to as Dr. LaShaundrea B.; however, I know I am worth more than a title and credentials.
Soooo…
Am I good enough?
Baby, YES! I’m more than good enough!
I now realize I needed to go through all of that craziness to get to where I am today. I can see where my ego and pride could’ve eventually been my downfall and at a higher level. Life is truly a journey.
Well, that’s all I have at the moment. Listen, if you are currently questioning if you are good enough, this is assurance that you are. You are more than good enough. You’re the best!♥️
On this day ten years ago (December 23, 2014), I was listening to “Be Blessed” by Yolanda Adams. The song says (which is also my prayer for you)—
“I want you to be blessed. Don’t live life in distress. Just let go, let God. He’ll work it out for you. I pray that your soul will be blessed. Forever in His hands. For you deserve His best, no less.”
As we wind down for the night and prepare for the upcoming holiday week, be sure to surround yourself with love. Love and be loved.
My daughter arrived home this morning. I’m looking forward to loving on her and my son this week and allowing them to love on me. Yes, I’m going to sit back and take it all in. We’ve already had a lot of laughs today. Y’all, they crack me up. I just love them!🥰🥰
I pray you have a restful night and a wonderfully blessed week.
I believe successes are just like blessings; no matter the size, each should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Each success means that you are one step closer to achieving your dreams. I know the tiny ones may feel like drops in a huge bucket that seem impossible to fill. Believe me, I am right there with you. However, I also believe that one day, that bucket will overflow with success. You just have to keep filling it. You must stop looking at the size of the bucket—it’s a distraction. Instead, lean into the size of your God. With Him, what might be considered a tiny success could be enough to fill that one bucket, then some. But the only way you’ll know is if you keep going and keep adding to the bucket—adding to your dreams.
Please, do not give up. Keep going. The impossible is possible with God.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
P.S. I’m ditching my posting schedule. It’s way too limiting. I have too much to share in between scheduled times that never gets posted. As I have said before, some people make videos, I write. Looking forward to sharing more!
Hmmm… I think I just reached another level of freedom.
I’m not sure if this new routine of getting more sleep is going to work. I feel like I’ve gotten too much sleep. It’s new so I will allow myself time to adjust. The real test will be how I perform throughout the day. Will I need to take a nap this afternoon or not?
Anyhoo, here’s a message I found in last year’s journal entry. I wrote I found it on LinkedIn.
The LinkedIn quote—
“Your new life is going to cost you your old life. You ready to make that trade?” –Author Unknown
The cost.
There’s always a cost associated with change.
When I declared that this side of 50 would be different than my last 50 years of life, I had no idea of what it would cost me. On some days I feel like I have lost so much more than I’ve gained. My life isn’t the same. (Just being honest.) Then, on other days—most days—when I’m working on my own projects or spending time with my loves (which is what I really wanted—the freedom to move and spend time as I please), I’m on cloud nine. But it did cost me.
Yes, I made the trade because I desired something different. I wanted to experience something different. I’m only a year and a half into it so it’s very new. I know that in time I will adjust and one day the things I lost will feel like a gain. Giving myself time, grace, and space to process it all.
That’s all for now. Not sure if 6:00 AM CT will be my new post time or not. We shall see. I did wake up around 3:30, but forced myself to go back to sleep. This is another thing I will eventually adjust to. I know in the long run it’s for the best.
God is restoring everything! Everything you lost. Everything you thought you lost. This is restoration season. Can’t you feel it?! If you can’t, I surely can. I can feel it, and I can see it. It’s happening. Allow it to happen—yes, you must allow it to happen in order to experience the full effect.
I can hear the Winans singing, “Restoration has finally come. Been restored back to my place in God.”
What a wonderful feeling!
You are God’s child. Covered and restored.
Y’all, God is so amazingly good. There is absolutely none like Him. We are truly blessed!
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Have you been kind to yourself lately?
Remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. Nothing in life ever remains the same. You are growing and evolving like everyone else and deserve just as much grace. So please, be kind to yourself.♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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