Shared this message last year and thought it was worth sharing it again this year and every year from here on—
The new year (2024) is loading… Stay humble.🙏🏽♥️
I can humbly say that every blessing I have is due to God. He’s the source. The only source. All credit, honor, and praise belongs to Him, not me. Amen.
Keep God first. He is the source of every blessing you have. Acknowledge Him. Honor Him. Praise Him. We must remember that as much as we would love to believe this is our world, it’s actually God’s. (Smile) Wishing you a peacefully, blessed day!♥️
Life is interesting. It can change at the drop of a hat. The way we decide to respond sets the course for all subsequent events.
Had one thing planned for the day, then one text set things in a different direction. My first thought was to try to find other solutions, then I heard “Don’t fight it, just go with the flow.” Nothing was stopping me from doing so. Nothing. Instead of trying to figure out how I would reschedule things, I decided to let things be.
Forget the plan. Don’t fight against where God is taking you. He’s in control. Allow Him to lead.♥️ ~Shaun
First, let me start off by saying God is so Good. Y’all, I needed that visit with my bestie, Shawn, yesterday.
Moment of transparency…
After my mom passed, I began feeling isolated from everyone and everything (still do at times). It was like I began seeing people and things for who/what they were, and decided I no longer wanted or needed to participate in the shenanigans just to feel included (personally and professionally). Basically, the only ones who mattered were my babies. They were the only ones besides my tiny circle (cause family was iffy) who I could count on to remain the same. I am pretty sure most of what I was feeling was grief, but not all.
Anyway, I needed to see Shawn, even if it was only for several hours. Y’all, we laughed and laughed. Like I said, I needed her visit. One thing I can say about our friendship is we don’t let what’s going on around us affect our relationship, never have. Rarely do we waste our conversations on negative things. Life is just too short and too precious to focus on the negative. Which leads me to the topic of this post—my newest chapter.
A few days ago, I hit the midpoint or peak of Year50. Instead of waiting until 2024 or Year51 to start a new chapter, I have decided to start it now. I mean, I am the writer, right? (Laughing) However, with this being said, I must remember God is the editor-in-chief and has the final say. Yeah…I cannot forget this part. Listen, sometimes he throws in more plot twists than my fav and have me all over the place (laughing), but I trust Him. He knows what he is doing. So, welcome to my newest chapter, “The Next Six Months.”
Y’all, it seems like I have a Facebook memory for every occasion. As I said, God is the editor-in-chief, and I guess you can say I am living out the edited version of what has already been written. Here is what I shared two years ago.
Facebook Memory: December 29, 2021
Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!
Speaking it. Receiving it. Owning it! My next chapter will be AMAZING!
That’s all I have for you for now. Listen, you do not have to wait until the new year or a special occasion to start your next chapter. You can always start today. You control the pen. Feel free to end this chapter now and start the next one. But, beware, God does have the final say, and He just might throw in a few unexpected things (those plot twists) to keep life interesting. I mean, who likes boring. Okay…sometimes boring is good. Smile
Just a friendly reminder—YOU are enough. Never doubt yourself. Never doubt what God has placed inside of you. Never doubt who He created you to be. At this very moment, with all that you lack or have, YOU are enough.♥️
In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.
Friendships…
Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!
Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.
Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021
“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick
“In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”
Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud.1 Corinthians 13:4
Took me a while to figure this out and actually name the source of my pain. So glad I did.
When I reshared the post, I added–
Love does not hurt. Embrace it. Bask in it. Give love and be loved.
Also on December 27th (2014), I reshared God’s Fruit (Facebook page) post–
Let’s make today about love. I would say everyday, but one day at a time is a good start.
Yes, let’s be intentional about spreading love.
I will start…
I love you, unconditionally!♥️
Shaun
Updated to add…
As someone once said, unconditional love is not unconditional tolerance. Please know the difference. You can love someone unconditionally from afar. You do not have to tolerate the disrespect, hate, and/or harm. Please don’t! Also, don’t let your heart grow cold. A cold heart stops you from receiving and giving unconditional love.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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