I had completely forgotten about my second post for today. Been trying to stay present and take in every moment of this conference. I have also been giving everyone I engage with my full attention—from the speakers, to the exhibitors, to the custodians. Everyone deserves to feel heard and seen. I believe it’s one of the first steps in making the world a better place.
I see you.
I hear you.
You matter.
I also had a chance to meet up with one of my fellow Potter’s House e-members. We have been watching and tweeting (yes, still Twitter) during Sunday services for a few years now. I believe we discovered that we were both Registered Dietitians two years or so ago. Well, we finally got to meet in person today! It was good to feel her energy and personality. Although our encounter was very brief, I believe it was one that needed to be had.
Originally shared on October 7, 2021
Three years ago, I shared the quote above, “Focus on your vision. In time, everything will fall in place.” And it will. I see it happening. From the encounters I’ve had during this conference to the sessions I’ve attended, all are connected to my vision of a healthier, kinder world. To see and feel it is quite amazing.
God is working, and I am staying focused and present so I can experience all of it.♥️
This weekend was hard because it reminded me of my brother’s death in October 2019. However, now I’m remembering one of the happier moments of October 2019.
This morning I was bombarded with all kinds of wonderful memories of my fav being celebrated. Little did I know that two extremes could happen in the same month. To be on ten at one point—because I was celebrating and posting like I was there with Tyler Perry. I was so excited and happy for him! Only to hit zero—less than zero—two weeks later when my brother died. Y’all, I could scream now! Life is something else!
Anyhoo… I’m going to keep it on a happy note. No tears today.
Here’s what I shared five years ago after purchasing this magazine.
He deserves his roses.🌹
Now, here’s what I shared moments ago when I reshared it on Facebook.
Facebook Present😉: October 7, 2024
Great memory!! I believe this was one of Tyler Perry’s most memorable years of his success and brilliance being on display for the world to see. That summer he made one of his most famous speeches at the BET awards about the importance of ownership and not allowing anyone to stop us from fulfilling our dreams. It was also the same year, and around this time, that Tyler Perry Studios had its grand opening. Oh, and he also got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What a year that was!🌟
For me, it was the excitement of watching God fulfill a dream in real time. I had been following Tyler’s endeavors for a while, and it was great to see him celebrated. But, listen, Tyler’s dream isn’t the only one I’ve been following. No, I’ve been following YOURS, too! I see YOU, and I see what God is doing in your life. You may not always see it because you’re too close to it. However, God is working and doing some AMAZING things in your life. Whatever you dreamed WILL come to fruition. I see it!!
I look at Tyler’s story and his success as motivation to keep going. Yes, all of us will have setbacks, as Tyler did. However, we must not give up. Listen, cry when you need to cry. Take a break when needed. But whatever you do, NEVER give up on your dreams! Love you!♥️
**Just want to add, it’s so cool that he’s sharing the cover with baby Archie. I bet he never imagined in a million years he would become a godfather to an actual princess. How beautiful is that!💖
Again, great memory!
Y’all, as I mentioned, I’m following YOUR dreams, too. I see YOU. I see God working. I see who you’re becoming. Don’t give up!
When getting started, use what you already have and have access to, and God will do the rest. Here’s the catch, you must make the first move. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun
First, I want to thank everyone who said a prayer for me yesterday. It wasn’t easy for me to share how I was feeling. I had actually shared a more detailed post hours earlier, then unpublished it soon afterwards. As I said in my previous post, I hate feeling vulnerable, and openly sharing that much of my life made me feel so. So, thank you for allowing me a space to share because I really needed it. At the time that I posted it, I was on my way from the airport to the hotel and was trying not to start bawling during the ride. However, trying to hold it in was short lived. As soon as I got to the front desk to check in, the tears started pouring out, and I was boohooing all over the place. Y’all, I was so embarrassed, but couldn’t stop. Everyone was hugging me. I mean everyone. Even people waiting in the lobby. I was a mess…
After I got to my room, I FaceTimed my daughter and the first words out of her mouth were, “You look terrible!” And I did! That was my first time seeing myself. Y’all, I had been crying the whole trip—on my to the airport, on the plane, during my layover. The tears just kept coming. The other part of her response was laughter (we tend to do this at the weirdest times). Baby she laughed! And I couldn’t help but laugh too because I looked horrible! She kept apologizing, but said she’d never seen me look so bad in my life. Like I was in some movie or something. Then we laughed even more. I had planned on going to the opening ceremony last night, but was advised by my daughter to sit it out. She was like you already look bad, the last thing you want to do is be crying all over the place. So, I took her advice—even though I really wanted to hear our opening speaker. Then, I went and got something to eat, took a shower, and got in bed.
Y’all, I love my hearts. My son said to let him know if I needed anything. As if he could do much from hundreds of miles away. But his heart was in the right place. When I tell you I am truly blessed.
I don’t know how today will go. I feel much better, now. However, the grief that I experienced yesterday was so unexpected. So, I can only pray that today will be a more pleasant day. Something did come to mind—which could’ve been a trigger—I was attending a conference when my brother died. I was at a state conference in the same city as his hospital. Had seen him the night before. He just kept saying he was tired. So tired. He had been in ICU over a week and they’d tried everything. By the way, he had MRSA, one of the worst staph infections you can get, and it had spread to his heart. We never figured out how he got it. The doctors wanted to try one more surgery to see if it would help or prolong his life. I remember calling my stepmom to tell her I was about to leave the conference to head back to the hospital and she told me not to rush because he was gone. That they were waiting on everyone to make it to the hospital to say our final goodbyes. So maybe I was subconsciously triggered by the conference and it being his birthday. When I tell you life be lifeing for real!
Well, I’m going to end here. Going to turn over and get a few more hours of sleep before I start my day. Can’t wait to mingle, network and enjoy the free food samples. Outside of the National Restaurant Association Show (it’s huge!), our conference has some of the best food vendors. Met one yesterday while waiting for my food. Can’t wait to stop by their booth.☺️
As always, thank you so much for reading. Hopefully what I’ve written makes sense, if not it’s okay. I just needed to write. Now, I need to go back to sleep. However, before I do, I’ll end with this Facebook memory, which is very timely. Can’t make this stuff up!
Facebook Memory: October 6, 2023
You better live! Life isn’t slowing down or waiting for you to catch up. Stop putting everyone else first like they’re more important than you. Listen… and hear me good… No one is more important or more valuable than you are. No one! You’re not being selfish, self-centered or inconsiderate. Nah… You’re just recognizing your worth. Now it’s time you start living in it. Love you!♥️
Life is a process. Last year I wrote to trust the process. What I should have written was “Trust God through and throughout the process.” Life is always going to do what it does, but God will always remain stable. Trust Him.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
Remain covered! Don’t you dare step out on your own.
Life can change at a moments notice. Be sure to stay rooted and grounded in God. He’s that solid rock you can always depend on when life seems a bit unstable. Lean on Him and allow His peace and love to give you strength and stability. Hang in there. God’s got you. You will make it!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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