Life

Dreams

Just woke up from my second or third weird dream. The first dream felt so real that I woke up as if it was happening at that very moment. I could see it so clearly. I could also feel it. I wrote as much as I could remember in my journal. The dream was very straightforward, nothing to interpret. However, I kept hearing, “You woke up too soon.” Hmmm

Now that I have written about it, perhaps the dream shouldn’t be my concern but the message I received afterward. I woke up too soon. Was there more to see? Guess I will never know because I did not stick around to find out.

The dreams that followed were not related or quite as interesting. But that first one had me a bit shook. Most of my dreams are just dreams; however, some are pretty real. Since childhood, I have witnessed some version of my dreams happen. I even dreamed my mom would suffer from paraplegia only months before it happened (it’s journaled). So, I don’t take my dreams lightly, especially not the ones that wake me up like this one did. The crazy part about this one and the message I received after I woke up is I actually forced myself to wake up. I did not want to see any more.

Well, this is how my week has started. I pray your week is pretty normal. I am going to tuck that dream away and focus on something else, which goes so well with this Facebook memory from a year ago. Was going to save it for my second blog but I’ll find something else to share.

Facebook Memory: November 20, 2022

Focus on the good.♥️

Enjoy your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Ask! It’s That Simple

It’s really that simple. Ask!

That was the post I shared last year—November 19, 2022. The segment below is what I also shared that day when I reposted a picture of me meeting Senator Cory Booker at a political event on November 19, 2018. Not going to share that picture (laughing) because I was cheesing so hard that gum was hanging out the corner of my mouth. Y’all I was so happy about that meeting and here’s why.

Facebook Memory: November 19, 2022

I’m going to share this memory EVERY time it pops up because it’s a reminder for me that God does listen and answer. Sometimes I find myself focusing so much on the big things I’ve asked for and received that I forget about the smaller things in between.

About a week or so before this picture was taken, I casually mentioned to a friend that I wanted to meet Cory Booker. The next thing I knew, he was making a quick stop in Hattiesburg. I needed this memory, this reminder that no request is too big for God to fill.

Y’all, God hears us and He does answer. We don’t have to beg for what we want, just ask and leave it alone. We don’t have to find ways to help Him make it happen. Just ask and leave it alone. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.

That meeting was pretty cool because it showed me the power of a simple ask, as well as the love, kindness and grace of God. Y’all, I just love the way He loves me. His gifts are always tailored just for me. They make me feel like a child opening gifts on Christmas morning—I be so giddy.

A year earlier, I wanted to meet someone else and a few weeks later I met them—in Hattiesburg. I didn’t even have to leave town. God sent both of them to me. How wonderful was that!

Anyhoo…I am so grateful for that memory and reminder that nothing is impossible. All I have to do is ask. That’s love.

Okay…now I’m crying.

My prayer for you is that you experience God’s love as well. Those were examples of pretty big gifts; however, every day I receive gifts. Every single day. And I attempt to acknowledge all of them such as being alive, safe, loved, and healthy. My kids are safe and healthy. These are amazing gifts! I am truly blessed.

That’s all I have right now. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and blessed week.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Be Inspired

This week I have been seeing and hearing “Be inspired!” everywhere. Little did I know I would see it again this morning. Life is so very interesting. Can’t help but love it. Smiling

Facebook Memory: November 18, 2022

Today’s a new day! Be inspired to do, create, build or try something new. I love y’all!♥️

The message speaks for itself—Be inspired!

Last year, when I shared this message on my other Facebook page, I added the following:

Be inspired to do that thing you’ve been wanting to do but been too afraid to do.😘

Hmmm…

Well, that’s it. That’s the message. I pray you have an amazing weekend!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Take the Leap

Facebook Memory: November 15, 2022

A few years ago, I shared this quote – “Fear is only temporary. Regret lasts forever.” I’m not sure if regret lasts forever; however, I do know fear is only temporary.

Your vision is clear. Don’t allow fear to stop you from fulfilling your purpose. Do it afraid!♥️

As Nike says—Just Do It!

Lately, my messages from last year have been much needed messages for today. Seems like whatever I post in the morning is needed sometime during the same day. I guess it’s God’s way of preparing me for what’s to come. Today’s message is, “Do it afraid.” Well, whatever “it” is, I am going to do it. Yep…I am going to do it afraid. Whew!! Gotta remember God’s got me.

I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday. Listen, take that leap that frightens you the most. God’s got you. He will not let you fail.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

I believe I will make the following Facebook memory my screensaver. I am finishing up two papers that are due by the end of the day, and I need the encouragement.

Facebook Memory: November 12, 2022

YOU were born to WIN! I love you and God loves you too. Have a blessed day!♥️

I was born to WIN, and so were you!

On another note, so many exciting things are happening this week! Besides this being the final day of this term (Woohoo!), two of my besties are turning 50 this week. One has a birthday tomorrow, November 13th, and the other on Tuesday, November 14th (friends since age 2 –♥️). Then on Friday, November 17th, a documentary about my fave (added the “e” for those who cringe when I write “fav”), Mr. Tyler Perry, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video – Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story. Woohoo!

This is going to be some week!♥️

Shaun

Life

Prayers are Being Answered

Now is not the time to lose faith. Everything you prayed for is happening. You may not see it yet, but it is happening. So, stand still and stand strong. God is working.♥️ ~Shaun

Rejoice!

Life

The Beginning

What may seem like the ending is actually the beginning. Prepare to fly.♥️ ~Shaun

There are so many wonderful things awaiting you. Do not give up.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

YOU are Powerful

Your voice is powerful. Your heart is powerful. Your mind is powerful. Your uniqueness is powerful. Your entire being is powerful. YOU, my friend, are POWERFUL!♥️

Yes… YOU!

Always use your power for good.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Your Time is Coming

Facebook Memory: October 28, 2023

NEVER give up! Keep grinding. Keep working towards your dreams, goals and purpose. Believe me, your time is coming.♥️

Hang in there!
Life

The Storms

Storms are designed to make us stronger. They’re preparing us for something greater.

Moi. October 26, 2022. Facebook Memory

How many of you have experienced storms that you now look back on and know you are stronger because of them? I know I have. Now when I look back, I see how those storms made me a stronger person.

Story time…

Here is one example of a storm I honestly thought I would never make it through. It wasn’t until a recent conversation with my daughter that I realized that storm was only one small part of my life. Guess I should give her credit for that revelation. She reminded me that that was only two years of my life. Now, those two years did have lifetime consequences but they were worth it because she’s here.

So, thinking about the quote above and Karen’s situation on Tyler Perry’s Sistas, here’s a real story.

Back in 1992, I met this guy I was attracted to. I pursued him and we became a couple. (Giving y’all the short version.) Well, about two months into this relationship I discovered I was actually in an situationship—I guess you can call it an entanglement. Yep… I discovered he had a pregnant girlfriend. We were stationed in Germany at the time and the girlfriend was in the U.S. For years I blamed myself for not leaving when I found out. Why the heck did I stay? When I asked him about it (found out through someone else), he confirmed it and asked if I was going to stay or leave. I chose to stay. I mean, I really liked him. Y’all, that ended up being the craziest two years of my life.

A year later, he went home on leave and married the other girl. He blamed his parents for pressuring him into getting married because of the baby. Said he was getting it annulled but never did. He apologized. I stayed. Then just when I couldn’t take it anymore and was about to leave—had just gotten orders to Florida—I found out I was pregnant. What a crazy time. Of course the drama didn’t end there but that’s all I am going to write about. One day I’ll write a book because that was one wild ride.

Now, about Karen and her situation. One night she and her ex, Zac, had sex and now she’s pregnant. She had wanted to get pregnant while they were together but it never happened. Well, now that he’s with Fatima, who’s also pregnant (she announced it on Zatima but the news hasn’t made it to Sistas yet), she’s finally pregnant.

During last night’s episode, Karen let Aaron, the guy she was seeing, go (see my previous blog, Aaron). You see, when she found out she was pregnant she really didn’t know who the father was; however, she wanted it to be Zac’s. Last night she revealed that the baby she’s carrying is indeed Zac’s. We’re still wondering how she found out when she’s only 3-4 (Tylerland) months along. What tests did she have performed? Anyhoo… that’s a discussion for another time. After breaking the news to Aaron, she asked him to leave. Although he didn’t want to go, he left. Sadly, he would have stayed just like me. I guess this is why he’s my favorite. He told her that he didn’t care if the baby wasn’t his, he was still going to be there if she needed him. Even though I was only two months into the relationship when I found out about the pregnant girlfriend, I was prepared to do the same and basically did.

Unlike Aaron’s story (and maybe it’s still being written), my ending had an amazing plot twist. I ended up with the best blessing ever, my daughter. About a year after I left Germany, I found out he had gotten a divorce and that the other baby wasn’t even his. Life…

Those two years of heaven and hell—I can’t lie, I had some really good times with him—produced something so beautiful, my baby girl. Y’all, that was some storm! But because of her, I became a stronger woman.

Side Note: As for our entanglement. His girlfriend knew we were together before they got married. His parents knew. I had talked to all of them several times. Was even sending the baby clothes and gifts. Basically, I was being a stepmom without the marriage. Then, he married her. Broke my heart… but I stayed. He did try to come back after the divorce but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have anyone else but I just couldn’t. Like I said, one day I’ll write a book.

Let me go back to sleep. Lol. Guess I’ll mark this as my first true rambling on this side of 50. Laughing. I am so very grateful God got me through all of that. Can’t say it enough, I am truly blessed.♥️

Shaun