Starting this year off with a blank canvas. My story has yet to be written.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Optimistically,
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Tag: hope
Happy New Year
Yes, we made it! By the grace of God, we made it!
Speaking life and blessings over 2021. No matter what the year brings WE. WILL. BE. BLESSED!!
Wishing you love, peace, prosperity, and infinite possibilities & blessings in 2021.
I love y’all!
Shaun
2020 – What A Year!
Yes… What a year! Listen, I have to confess, I had the idea of reblogging last year’s end of the year blog and adding an overcomer’s intro– “This is where I was but God brought me out!” Sorry to disappoint or save you– it’s not going to happen. This time last year, I was really down and depressed. Had good reasons to be, but WOW! I had no idea I was that far gone. With that said, I will acknowledge that was where I was; however, I am so grateful I am no longer there. This year I am going to end things on a high note, you know, just in case I decide to reblog it next year. Gotta be intentional. Lol! Here we go:
First, and utmost importantly, I would like to thank God for all of His wonderful blessings. I cannot lie, He has been so good to me! Instead of giving a detailed review about everything He’s done, I will only highlight some of the key moments-
March 2020 – Purchased my home.
May 2020 – Decided to make my blogs public.
June 2020 – Turned 47 and decided to be my true, authentic self.
August 2020 – Invited to be a contributing author in a book anthology.
September 2020 – Became the Principal Investigator on one of my research projects.
October 2020 – Did my first live interview promoting myself. It was for the book, but it was all about me.
November 2020 – Did another presentation for the same company that left me feeling inadequate for two years. (That was major! Had to face that bull head on.)
December 2020 – Decided to live my life to its fullest! No regret!!
Needless to say, I don’t know what 2021 holds. None of us do. However, I will say I’m entering 2021 with open arms, an open mind, and an open heart, expecting to receive more blessings than hurts. Yeah, I’m entering 2021 knowing that whatever comes and whatever goes, God’s got me. That he will NEVER leave me.
Before I end, I wanted to share this with you. It’s a little off topic, but, for me, it is so timely. Wanted to write it here in case I don’t get around to adding it to A Research Diva’s Journey. Again, being intentional. So, I’m reading this book about the United Nations, “The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session” by Yasmine Sherif. It’s about the underlying founding principles of the United Nations – vision, hope, peace, love, and humanity – everything I’m passionate about. Y’all, it is so important that we do not allow negativity to obscure our vision for the future. Listen, no matter how dismal things may appear, please embrace the positive and hold on to hope. In the words of the great Reverend Jesse Jackson, “Keep hope alive!”
That’s all I have for you today. Going to end with a quote from the book.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done. There is no passion found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela
My word for 2021 is “Live!” Can’t you hear Tim McGraw singing, “Live like you were dying.” I can.
Happy New Year’s Eve!!
Be blessed!
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Well y’all, we have finally made it to the final Sunday in 2020. Woohoo!! I’m not going to lie, it is a little bittersweet. Seems like I was just getting used to so many unexpectedly, weird things happening– good and bad. Now we are moving on.
So we say we are ready for 2021, but are we? Just to be sure we are somewhat prepared, I am going to end this Hello Sunday with a prayer for 2021:
Lord, please prepare us for whatever lies ahead– good or bad. Open our hearts and minds so that we are receptive of every blessing you have in store for us; and give us the strength to reject any- and everything that might cause us harm. Lord, shower us with your unconditional love, mercy and grace. Drench us with so much love and peace that we forget about the pains and heartaches of 2020. Lord, please give us the boldness to embrace our worth and walk in our purpose. Let others experience your love through us. Last, but not least, please heal our nation. We need You. Amen
I love y’all! Looking forward to celebrating a prosperous 2021 together.
Shaun
Merry Christmas
Tis the season to be jolly!
Y’all, life is a gift– the ultimate gift! This year when we asked my son what he wanted for Christmas, he replied, for his family to be alive. That was it. No list. Well, we are here, alive, well, and blessed! Guess what?! You are here, as well. And for this, I’m grateful.
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or not, I pray that you have the best day ever! May God rain down blessings upon you and your family. Sending you big hugs and lots of love.
Merry Christmas!
Shaun
2020– Blessed, Humbled, Grateful, and FREE!
Just wanted to share today’s blog from A Research Diva’s Journey. It’s about expecting nothing, yet receiving so many wonderful surprises to include becoming an author. I am so blessed!
Coming January 21, 2021 – Finally Free 2020 – Although 2020 has been full of sorrow and disappointments for some, for me, it has been full of …
2020– Blessed, Humbled, Grateful, and FREE!
Hello Sunday
We only have two Sundays left in 2020. Talk about mind blowing! Where did the time go? Maybe it’s just me, but this year seemed to pass by a little faster than past years. It’s like tomorrow is Monday and two days later it will be Friday! No joke! Y’all, time is moving much too fast. Perhaps that’s a good thing. God knows what He’s doing so I’m going to stop worrying about it. It’s not like I can slow it down. Lol!
Anyhoo.. I set out to write about one thing but now I’m writing about something else, something that’s currently on my mind. If you have been reading my blogs for a while you will know I have songs playing in my head all day. I rarely go a few hours without hearing a song. I wonder if everyone experiences this. I remember my great-great grandma humming all day long. So maybe it’s more common than I think.
Anyway.. got sidetracked.. the song that is currently playing in my head is Already Getting Better by William Murphy. The song says,
It’s already getting better
It’s already getting easier
God’s already moving on my behalf
He did it for me. . .
Yes, God did it
One of today’s Facebook memories was a quote by Trent Shelton from 2015. Here’s what he posted:
Sometimes we have to experience things we don’t understand just so God can bring us to a place where He needs us to be. Never doubt the season He has you in.
Trent Shelton, RehabTime 2015
William Murphy’s song and Trent Shelton’s quote are reminders that no matter where we are in life, or what we are experiencing, God is with us. At this very moment, we are where we are for a purpose, for His purpose. Like my issue with the speed of time, some things are not meant to be understood. They just aren’t. Our job, and really, our only job, is to trust God. Trust Him. Period. We may not understand the reason why things are happening, but He does. Maybe He’s preparing us for future endeavors. Or maybe He’s protecting us from harm. Whatever the case may be, we just have to trust Him. As William Murphy said, which is something we must remember, God is moving on our behalf. He’s got us!
Praying you have a wonderful Sunday and blessed week!
Shaun
Never Give Up
Here’s what’s currently playing in my head– Yolanda Adam’s Never Give Up. Listen, no matter how bleak things may seem, remember to stay faithful. God is always working behind the scenes. So keep dreaming and never ever give up! He’s got you. Be blessed.
Never Give Up by Yolanda Adams
Visions that can change the world
Trapped inside an ordinary girl
She looks just like me
To afraid to dream out loud
And though it’s set for your idea
It won’t make sense to everybody
You need courage now
If you’re going to persevere
To fulfill your divine purpose
You’ve gotta answer when you’re called
So don’t be afraid to face the world
Against all odds
Keep the dream alive don’t let it die, if something deep inside
Keeps inspiring you to try, don’t stop
And never give up; don’t ever give up on you
Don’t give up
Every victory comes in time
Work today to change tomorrow
It gets easier
Who’s to say that you can’t fly?
Every step you take you gets
Closer to your destination
You can feel it now
Don’t you know you’re almost there?
To fulfill your life’s purpose
You’ve gotta’ answer when you’re called
So don’t be afraid to face the world
Against all odds
Keep the dream alive don’t let it die, if something deep inside
Keeps inspiring you to try, don’t stop
And never give up; don’t ever give up on you
Sometimes life can place a stubborn block in your way
But you’ve gotta keep the faith
Reap what deep inside your heart
To fly
And never give up
Don’t ever give up on you,
Don’t give up
Who holds the pieces to complete the puzzle?
The answer that can solve the mystery
The key that can unlock your understanding
It’s all inside of you
You have everything you need
So, keep the dream alive don’t let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try
Don’t stop
And never give up; don’t ever give up on you
Sometimes life can place a stubborn block on your way
But you’ve gotta keep the faith
Bring what’s deep inside your heart
To the light
And never give up
Don’t ever give up on you
No don’t give up
No, no, no, no
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
Oh, don’t, no, no, no, no
Don’t, give, up
Source: LyricFind and Never Give Up lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Enjoying the Ride
Since I’m awake I might as well write. December 2020 is finally here. Y’all, we made to the end of the year!
A year ago I shared the attached quote on Facebook. The last sentence says, “And even if you lose, you just can’t lose.” Hmm…
Yesterday I was in a mood. A friend and I were texting about how we remember things versus how they actually happened. I told her that my journal entries always set me straight. I recall things one way, then go back and read journal entries from that period. Almost half of the time my recollections are not quite the way I remembered. Sometimes I was hurt far worse than I remembered, or loved much harder than I remembered. After texting her a few examples of what I thought happened versus what really happened, she said, “Don’t you wish you could go back with the knowledge you have now.” Well, that one statement put me in a mood. For hours all I could think about was why didn’t I do this or that. Why did things not happen for me? Y’all, I wasted hours thinking about things that happened over the last 20+ years. Talk about crazy! Unfortunately, I fell asleep feeling a little down. However, I woke up to several encouraging messages to include this memory.
Even though I looked back and thought about how I could have done things differently, it wasn’t meant to be. What was meant to be, is. I wanted more. My vision was higher and still is. I refused to settle. So yes, I suffered heartbreaks and what seemed like failures, but my story is not over. I only have one life and I refuse to settle for less than God’s absolute best. So am I losing? Nah.. I’m winning!
God is good. Enjoying the ride!
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Last week I wrote a blog for my other site, A Research Diva’s Journey (see blog below). Y’all, my heart was so full. Tearing up just thinking about what transpired. I say this all of the time, and I truly mean it, money and things don’t bring me joy, experiences and seeing others excel does it for me. Those are the things that make my heart smile and show me that any– and everything is possible!
This particular blog is about President-Elect Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. No, she’s not the first African American who’s held this position, nor is she the first African American female. However, she is the first to make me feel like my journey to the United Nations is actually tangible. She’s a southern girl (woman) born right next door in Louisiana. In her TEDx she mentioned her parents. They reminded me of my great-great grands who encouraged us to get a good education because it was an opportunity they were not afforded. As a teenager I wanted to join the Peace Corp. Guess what?! She joined the Foreign Services. Y’all, what really resonated with my soul was her motto to always lead with kindness and compassion. Yes… I’m crying. She is ME!
Below is the beginning of my blog, Limitless Possibilities. If you have time, please read it. Y’all, God is working! Shaun
Yes, I’m still here! Smile. Life is definitely a journey and I am on one. Have you ever wondered why God reveals things in stages? Or why He shows …
Limitless Possibilities
It’s Shaun’s World 
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