Two things to always remember –
- WHO you are.
- WHOSE you are.
You were not created to blend in.♥️
Two Things To Remember
Tag: love
Living in My Dreams
Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.
Maya Angelou
That was one of the quotes under today’s Facebook memories. As usual, I’m in tears (always emotional).
Several blogs ago, I mentioned that it had dawned on me that I am actually living in my dreams. That, in my 20s, I was too naive to recognize it and took so many opportunities for granted. Do y’all know I could have traveled all of Europe at the drop of a hat and didn’t because 1) I did not want to be there, 2) I didn’t want to travel alone (my boyfriend didn’t want to go anywhere) and 3) I always believed I would have other opportunities. Just reminiscing about how I so carelessly disregarded my blessings and opportunities makes me cringe. I had the world in my hands and didn’t even recognize it. Y’all, I had been given what I asked for – to work for an international company and travel the world – and because it did not come the way I envisioned, I blew it off.
Side Note: So I saw myself at the United Nations. Even saw myself in the Peace Corp. But I never ever considered that the Air Force would provide some of the same experiences. I mean, two weeks after basic training I was in Germany. When I tell you God will give you what you ask for! Whew! It was just a little too much. (Laughing)
Okay… Back to my story.
I will say that my life changed after I found out I was pregnant. It was the strangest feeling (I can still feel it now). It was like the blinders fell off and everything was new. By then, I only had a little over two months left in Germany. I booked two weekend tours – one was a tour along the Rhein River and the other was a tour of the Black Forest. I so vividly remember holding my stomach, which was still flat as a rock, and saying, “Now I have someone to travel with.” And I did.
Wish I could say that after I left Germany I readily embraced my blessings and opportunities, but I would be lying. Three years later, almost to the date, God dropped me in Turkey for two years. One of my dreams was to visit the Mediterranean region. And I was there! Receipts of how God works in my life.
Well, while I was in Germany, there were weekly tours to Cyprus and Greece, but I never went. Sadly, I was placed right there in the area – only a few hours away – and still did not go!! Y’all, I was there two whole years and made up excuses of why I couldn’t go. I did travel to a few places in Turkey, though. However, I didn’t take advantage of all of those opportunities either. I was near most places I had read about in the Bible and acted like it was a common thing to be so close. UGH!!
Okay…
I’m seeing a pattern here…
“Aha” moments all over the place!
I hate that it has taken me so long to recognize I am absolutely blessed. No, nothing has ever happened the way I imagined, but it has and is happening right before my very eyes. This time, I’m living in it!! I’m taking it all in. I will admit, I have missed some great opportunities, but it’s okay. Just like God dropped me in Turkey, He’ll send more opportunities and blessings. However, THIS TIME I’m embracing EVERYTHING!
Y’all, this is all I have for you today. I pray you are living in your dreams. One way to know is to block out all distractions… you know, the worries, lack of, and negative energy… and only focus on the precious things you have (opportunities, health, family, love, etc.). Are you living in your dreams? I bet you are!
Have a blessed day!♥️
Shaun
Valuable Beyond Measure
You add value to EVERYTHING you touch. NEVER minimize the value that YOU bring to the table.♥️ ~ Shaun
The World Is Yours
Yes, Shaun, the WORLD is yours! Do not limit yourself to what’s familiar. Imagine BIGGER, then go after it! I love you, Girl!♥️
Woke Up Blessed
I’m blessed! Woke up blessed.
Y’all, I am so grateful for life. For another opportunity to do better… to be better. Yes, I am definitely blessed and so are you.♥️ ~ Shaun
Trust God’s Plan
When you feel like your back is against the wall and pressure is coming from every direction… trust God’s plan.
When you feel like your prayers aren’t working… trust God’s plan.
Believe me, God IS working. Trust His plan!♥️ ~Shaun
For Purpose & Growth
Embrace where you are at this current moment. No, it’s not where you are meant to stay. It’s where you need to be for a specific purpose as well as for growth. Find out what you can glean from this experience.♥️ ~ Shaun
There are so many things I’m still perplexed about after so many years. I’m finally learning that I do not have to have all of the answers right now. That it’s okay not knowing it all or seeing the full picture. My job right now is to make the best of where I am and be of service to others. I also understand that my current experiences are fuel for growth. Yes, I’m learning.
On another note:
I tweeted last night during the season finale of one of my favorite shows, Tyler Perry’s The Oval. It felt so good to tweet again. However, my experience wasn’t the same as before. Y’all, it was better! You see, I used to tweet to make sure the show trended. Not sure why I felt it was my responsibility to do that, but I did. Crazy, huh?! This time it was about chatting and enjoying conversations with fellow watchers.
Tonight, I have another season finale to watch, Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Now y’all know this one’s my favorite! No, I’m not going to tweet during this one. I have found my place and space for chatting in our We Are Sistas group. Don’t have to worry about trends, numbers, etc. It’s my happy space on Sistas Wednesdays. By the way, that guy Aaron – the accountant/preacher – has a few skeletons in his closet, and I love it! He was just a tad bit too clean… too nice… too perfect. With that being said, I do believe people can change, and maybe he has; but, you can’t tell me he’s been squeaky clean his entire life. There had to be some drama at some point in his life. Ain’t nobody that perfect!
Anyhoo… Let me get my day started. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and a fabulous rest of the week.
Keep Climbing
The climb may be steep, but the grass is green and the weather is perfect. Keep climbing. You are almost there.♥️ ~ Shaun
I’m Already Living In My Dreams
Much too often we limit ourselves to what is familiar… to what we know and see.
When I was in my twenties, God gave me a taste of what I said wanted but I was too naive to recognize it. For decades, I saw myself in international spaces. Wrote in my Senior book (high school journal) that I wanted to work for an international company. God gave me the Air Force. Said I wanted to travel to different countries. I lived in Germany and Turkey. Shoot, even said I wanted to live in the city I’m living in now, eight years before I actually moved here; and the move was not intentional, it just happened.
So, here I am actually living in all I have spoken… in all I have dreamed. No, nothing is or has happened the way I envisioned, but everything has happened and is happening.
For years, I have seen myself standing in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland admiring the flags of different countries. I have seen myself walking its halls and interacting with people from all nations. Well… I am already doing it through my blogs and social media platforms. No, I am not physically at the U.N.; however, everything I saw myself doing, I’m doing from the comfort of my home. Now, this does not mean I don’t want to go to Geneva, Switzerland because that’s still a dream of mine. What it does mean is I now recognize the gift I have been given and I am eternally grateful that I am living in my dreams.
I am truly blessed.
I would like to thank all of you for reading my blogs and helping me fulfill my dreams. I so appreciate you!♥️
If you don’t mind, please leave a comment and let me know where you are reading from. Thanks
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Yesterday I shared the quote, “Humbleness is where ego ends and God begins … Humbleness looks good on you.” I actually shared it a year ago and decided to reshare it yesterday. Little did I know that I would need to take my own advice so soon. Ha! I had no idea I would have to put my ego aside and apologize for unintentionally hurting someone’s feelings.
Everything happened so fast. Words were said out of emotions that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. It was me responding emotionally to something this person – okay, it was my daughter – does all the time, which should not have surprised me. However, it did. Y’all, I am not even sure what triggered me, but the way I responded made her feel like she was being attacked. Honestly, I did not believe I was in the wrong. I felt the way I responded was appropriate and justifiable. However, in the end, we both felt hurt.
After taking a step back and replaying the entire interaction, I actually heard what she was saying. I apologized even though I could not fully understand why she was offended. She then apologized too.
I have this wall hanging that reads, “In this house… we never give up, we say I’m sorry, we like to have fun, we give hugs, we are family.” This basically sums up the tone of our household. It is a tone I intentionally set after my divorce; and it is up to me to make sure it stays this way, even when I’m not feeling it.
Y’all, I did not grow up in a household where apologies were made or anyone’s point of view was taken into consideration. If you felt hurt, that was on you. It has taken me years to break this way of thinking. If I want this world to be a better place, it has to first begin at home.
Again, humbleness is where ego ends and God begins.
Have a blessed week!
Shaun
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