It makes no difference What you’re going through You’re going to make it God’s going to see you thru Hold your head up Put a smile on your face This is another test It won’t last always
Get ready for your blessing Get ready for your miracle Get ready for your blessing Get ready for your miracle
Smile and hold your head up! God’s got a blessing with YOUR name on it. That’s right! He sure does. And that blessing is called life, and it has your name all over it.
I know 2024 is coming to an end and you may not have achieved everything you wanted to, but this is not THEE end. Tomorrow’s a new day and a new year, and it’s filled with all kinds of blessings with your name on them. Listen, God’s got you!♥️
While looking through an old notebook that I was using as a journal and as a study guide (not sure why I was using one notebook for both😩), I found a letter I had written but never sent to my sister. Here’s a snippet of what I wrote.
30 January 1993
At the time, I was 19 years old and stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany. Y’all, I was just a baby. However, even back then, I made note of gems that I still live by today:
True happiness can only be found within. (Thanks, Master Splinter)
God will place us where we desire to be, but it’s our responsibility to make things happen. (A good one, right?!)
Life isn’t easy… but it’s so worth living.
As I mentioned in the letter, I was where I had always dreamed of being, but I wasn’t doing anything with the opportunity I had been given. Looking back, I realize no one in my circle had the same or similar goals or dreams. So, instead of venturing out and doing my own thing, I adapted to their world. From what I had written—“I don’t have any goals anymore.”—I believe I had lost hope.
How sad…
But very eye opening.
It’s so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people or our dreams and aspirations will suffer. Or…we must be strong enough to venture out and do our own thing to keep our dreams alive.
Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2024?! This year flew by, but by the grace of God, we’re still here! Hallelujah, we are still here.🙏🏽
On December 29, 2021, I shared—
“Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!”
I’m smiling because I spoke it, received it, and now I’m owning it. I’m not sure when I stopped viewing my life as chapters in a book. Maybe it was during or after the COVID pandemic, or maybe it was last year, my Year 50. All I know is I haven’t thought about another chapter or looked forward to something AMAZING in years. I don’t have to because I’m already living in it. My life is already AMAZING—it just keeps getting better!
Y’all, I am absolutely loving this side of 50! Thank You, Lord, for making this side different and better than I ever imagined.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with viewing your life in the context of chapters. As you can see, I also did. However, I’ve reached a point where I try to find the AMAZING in everyday moments instead of waiting for it to miraculously show up in the future. Life is just too precious and short to keep waiting for something amazing to happen when it’s already happening now. Just look around and you’ll see it. Then, once you see it, receive it and own it. It’s yours!
That’s all I have for you now. Wishing you an AMAZING, relaxing Sunday.♥️
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.
It’s Shaun’s World 
You must be logged in to post a comment.