I wrote the quote above a couple of years ago and decided to share it again today. It really is true; our power lies in our freedom to decide. Every choice. Every response. Every reaction. Every inaction. Every decision. All are on us.
Of course, there are so many outside factors that can affect our decisions, but when it’s all said and done, as able bodied adults, we have the power to decide.
Anyhoo… This is all for today. I pray that you have a wonderful day and beautiful week! May both be filled with lots of love, joy, and peace.♥️
Mara Brock Akil (television producer and writer) posted a video about how the television and film industries are changing, just as the world around us is changing. She believes this change is a good thing and necessary, and so do I. In the video, she says the old ways of doing things are slowly dying, giving us the chance to shape the future we want to see. And I couldn’t agree more!
I believe we are here in this time and space for a purpose. It’s not to sit, watch things happen, or complain, but to shape and create the future we want to see. We’ve been tasked with doing what no other generation could do, and what future generations need us to do. If you’re unsure of your task, assignment, or purpose, ask God to reveal it to you. From experience, it’s associated with something you’re already passionate about doing, or that lifelong dream you just can’t shake.
As God’s children, I believe everything we touch is a song, and we have been tasked with creating something meaningful and beautiful. What we create today will not only enhance our lives but also sustain future generations.
Sooo… Are you on board with shaping our new future—with shaping the world you want to see?
This is all I have for now. I pray you have a relaxing day. May it be peaceful and filled with joy.♥️
This is all for now. I pray you’re having a wonderful day so far. May the rest of your day and weekend be as beautiful as you are. Remember, it’s Self-love Saturday. Don’t forget to do something extra special for yourself!♥️
Thought I’d share another glimpse at how God works in my world. How He loves on me!
In yesterday’s post (see Clyde Kennard and JET Magazine), I wrote that after attending a lecture on Clyde Kennard, I was inspired to find my copies of JET Magazine. I said that I would take a moment this week to begin reading them. Well, I began yesterday, and here’s what I found! Y’all, when I tell you God knows exactly how to make my heart smile, dance, and sing.☺️
JET Magazine, March 22, 1999
This article highlights the work of the late nutritionist Dr. Alvenia Fulton. As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)—a Black RDN—I’m curious to learn more about her story and journey to becoming a nutritionist. You see, her story matters to me because when I began my undergraduate degree in 2003, Black dietitians made up less than 3% of registered dietitians nationally. Now here we are, over two decades later, and this percentage hasn’t changed (2.6–3%).
In graduate school, I wrote my thesis on the importance of multicultural counseling competencies in our profession. I remember mailing over 600 surveys and receiving nearly 300 fully completed returns. Although the return and completion rates were great (yes, this is beautiful in the research world), only 5% of respondents were Black, while 92% were White. Sadly, the majority of the respondents who had never received any culturally competent counseling training (~70%) did not believe cultural competency was necessary to counsel people of different races, ethnicities, or cultures. Back then, our state had, and still has, the highest Black population by state in the U.S. (~38–39%), and also one of the highest rates of health disparities (America’s Health Rankings: Mississippi). In 2016, I became the first Black president of our state’s dietetics association. It’s not something I ever mention. It’s not something I ever wanted highlighted. But now, after learning about Dr. Fulton and seeing that the national percentage of RDNs hasn’t changed, I think it’s worth mentioning. Our association was founded in 1948. In 2016, I became the first Black president, and in 2025, I became the second.
I have to explore Dr. Fulton’s story further. God didn’t drop that article in my lap for nothing. We can’t move forward and grow as a profession if we don’t start addressing the underlying issues and challenges behind the lack of growth in the number of Black RDNs nationally. There’s so much to explore… I have work to do!
This is all for now. I’ll keep you updated on whatever I find about Dr. Fulton. I was gifted a copy of the book from the lecture, “Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard,” and can’t wait to begin reading it.
Wishing you a wonderful Wellness Wednesday! Please take care of yourself.♥️
I’ve been thinking a lot about my fears lately. Yes, I’m human. I have them. Smile. As I did when I came face to face with that snake almost a week ago (see It All Works Out), I must do the same with other fears. As George Addair said, “Everything [I’ve] ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”
How about you?
Are there fears you need to face?
What’s possible on the other side of those fears?
This is all I have for now. Wishing you a wonderfully, blessed day! May it be filled with lots of love and joy.♥️
It’s never too late to start planting seeds for the fruit you’d like to see, hold, and eat in the future. If you didn’t plant them 10–20 years ago, or even yesterday, you can still plant them today.
I just realized I hadn’t spoken yet! I hope you’re doing well. Me, I’m just sitting here laughing at life. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
Storytime…
A short while ago, I went to take out the trash. Usually, I’m careful when I move the trash can outside because I’ve seen lizards lurking underneath. Well, since I hadn’t seen any in a while, I didn’t hesitate to move it. Big mistake! Or more like BIG SNAKE! A long green snake came from underneath the can. It didn’t run. Instead, it raised its head and looked at me, and I looked at it. I told it that it could have the trash can. Then, I slowly backed away, let the garage door down, and came inside. By the time my son went to pull the trash can to the curb, the snake was gone.
Y’all, life is like that snake. Sometimes things will catch you off guard. However, I’m finding that the way you respond makes all of the difference. Had I started jumping and running, I’m pretty sure it would’ve reacted similarly. The key is to remain calm. Ask yourself if it’s a threat. If not, keep pushing. If it is, remove it or yourself from the situation.
Election Day is right around the corner, and things are becoming increasingly tense. Be careful and be mindful of your surroundings and who’s in your presence.
As life happens, keep this in mind—it all works out in the end.
This is all I have at the moment. Praying you have a wonderful day!♥️
Last year, I shared the following quote/image that I had saved to my phone on October 11, 2020.
I’m pretty sure that when I saved the picture I was all revved up…
Hold on! Let me go see how I was feeling that day. Gonna check my journal to see if I mentioned anything.
Wow!! I didn’t find what I was looking for, but found a gem instead.
Quick note: This is a glimpse of my writing process in real time. I start off writing about one thing, then in mid thought, stop to see if I have an experience to add to what I’m writing. Sometimes I don’t, but many times I do, whether I mention the experience or not.
Here’s the gem I found:
October 11, 2020 Shaun’s Journal Entry
Sarah Jakes Roberts “Dig Until You Get Back To Power”
Power and unbelief can live in the same place. It doesn’t mean you don’t have power, you just have to keep striking at the unbelief. God does not take back the power He’s given you because of your unbelief. You have to keep digging until you tap that power.
Sometimes we’re anointed to do something but accustomed to doing another. Sometimes what we are accustomed to shows up instead of our anointing.
Unbelief and disbelief aren’t the same thing. Disbelief means you don’t believe in something that has happened. Unbelief means you don’t believe in something never done before. When you have unbelief it’s the opportunity to believe on another level. Now is the time to grow my belief. Amen.
A whole sermon! Didn’t know I needed this message today until now. God is so good. I just love the way He loves me!
This is all for now. I am so blessed. I pray you have a wonderful Sunday. May it be filled with lots of love, harmony, and blessings.♥️
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