We often pride ourselves in our faithfulness and loyalty to others. We make sure everyone knows our commitment runs deep. But how deep is our faithfulness and loyalty to ourselves?
Remember this – YOU are the only one who has been rocking with you since day one. Since the womb! No one knows you better than you do. No one will fight for you harder than you will (believe me, that’s how you’ve managed to make it this far). You are still that little girl or little boy who refused to give up. Who was determined to be here. So, stay faithful and loyal to them, to YOU. Nurture yourself. Forgive yourself a thousand times over, and then more. Give yourself grace. Be sure to love YOU. The YOU God created.
When was the last time you stopped and asked yourself if you were actually dedicated to the process or just going with the flow? Here’s what I shared last year about dedication.
Facebook Memory: December 19, 2022
Dedication (Merriam-Webster): Self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty
Whew!! What a definition! Listen, dedication requires heart and commitment. If your heart isn’t in it, consider letting it go. However, if your heart is there, STICK WITH IT!♥️
Do you have the heart for it?
Listen, that definition is not for the weak! As I wrote several blogs ago, it’s decluttering time. Before we move into 2024, it is so very important that we stop and think about where our dedication lies, then adjust as needed. Make adjustments according to the bigger picture, not the present moment. Per my daughter, “What are we carrying that is not useful?” Additionally, if it does not bring you peace—LET IT GO!
Just something to ponder on during the next few days of 2023. 2024 is all about peace.
Hey!! Felt like writing. Sooo many thoughts and topics floating around in my head – relationships, loyalty, aging. It’s a lot.
Relationships — Watched today’s episode of Red Table Talk about relationships. It was definitely one I needed to watch. Received free advice from relationship coaches that I had no idea I needed. Smile. Sometimes I think about being in a relationship again. Yeah.. some days I really wish I had a boo. I’m not going to lie, I miss having a man around – not only for sex (lol) but because they’re pretty cool to hang with. But, the real question is, would I want him around ALL of the time? Because y’all, I really love my space. I love my me time. Whenever I express this to other people, I’m told I’m better off being alone. Like.. really?! Why can’t I have the kind of relationship I desire? I mean, my kids understand me and we get alone just fine. So are you telling me I can’t find a man who will understand and respect my wishes just the same?
Anyhoo.. after watching today’s episode, I believe it’s possible to find someone who compliments me; and, I will not have to date around to find him. As Sheree Zampino put it, the older you get the more you realize what you truly want and refuse to accept anything less (paraphrased). AND.. you don’t have to find them online or through some dating app. She met the guy she’s currently dating, at Home Depot. I believe that’s doable. Smiling
Loyalty — I am sooo tired of hearing about Coach Prime’s disloyalty. How?! How was he disloyal? I’ve already written my thoughts in yesterday’s blog. I’m just so ready for people on my social media timelines to stop acting like they are victims. Like he used them and left. And the majority of the people talking didn’t even go to Jackson State University. If they’re still talking tomorrow, they will be muted.
Aging — Received a call from one of my cousins about my one of my uncles not doing well. Y’all, when I say this year has been crazy! My dad, mom, stepmom, auntie and uncles. Everyone is aging and most of them have chronic illnesses. Seems like once one gets better another gets worse. Life
Well, I’m going to end now. Think I’ve released enough crazy energy into the universe. It’s probably too late to take a nap but I might anyway.
Y’all take care! And if you’ve read this, please don’t put much thought into what I’ve said. I just needed to ramble. Love y’all!
Y’all, I’m sitting here in awe because I didn’t have to think of something to write about this morning. You want to know why? Because it was already written (well, partially written) three years ago– August 24, 2019. I just love my Facebook memories and journal entries.
Journal Entry– August 24, 2019
“Trust and loyalty are my two greatest fears. Yes, fears. If I trust you, will you hurt me? If I’m loyal to you, will you leave me? Right now I’m learning to trust. Trust isn’t something I’ve ever given to someone easily. It’s sad to say but there are only a few people I completely trust. Really only two, my two [kids]. I know they have my back.”
Now, that was the first part of my entry. Today, I can happily say that trust and loyalty don’t bother me as much as they used to. I believe it was this exact year when I realized trust should be given a chance to be earned (believe me, I wasn’t handing out trust passes) and loyalty didn’t have to be reciprocated. Before then, I didn’t really give many the opportunity to earn trust. Had been hurt too many times before. Same with loyalty. I had been hurt and disappointed too many times. Life
Well, this next part I was kind of hesitant to share because it seemed a bit too personal. However, I decided to share it anyway because it is part of the story, my story. So here it goes. One of my transparent moments. I’ll let you know if my thoughts have changed any, afterwards.
“Will I trust my mate completely? I’m praying that I will and he does the same with me. Complete trust. Complete loyalty. Meaning NEVER talking about the other in ways that degrades the other, or causes someone to look at them unfavorably.”
Hmmm…
“Complete trust.” “Complete loyalty.” Are those even possible?
Ironically, I’ve been thinking about the two (trust and loyalty) a lot lately. I told y’all a few blogs ago that my life follows a pattern– same month, different year, same thoughts.How weird is that? Anyway, a few days ago, I actually had a conversation with God about the two. Then, not even a day later, I had a conversation with someone else about the same exact things- trust and loyalty. As I mentioned earlier (in my journal entry), the lack of trust and loyalty were my two greatest fears.
This time when I asked God the same question I asked three years ago– will I be able to trust my mate completely?– here’s what He had to say. Yes, He talked and I listened. (Smile) He said that He would never entrust me to anyone I could not trust or who wasn’t loyal.He explained that I’m wise enough to know the difference between intentional and unintentional harm, and that I would have to use this wisdom as a guide when assessing true loyalty and trust. People are not perfect, they’re human. They will make mistakes. Also, He assured me that He would never send me someone I cannot fully trust or who wasn’t loyal. It would be beneath Him to do so. Y’all, that last part!!Whew! Listen, God ONLY sends THE BEST! You already know His answer made me smile.
Trust and loyalty.
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and fabulous rest of the week.
Yes, I’m here. Just a little late. Decided to wait until later in the day to write. Figured if I waited I would have more to write about. Umm… not so! Now I’m too tired to write. So, from now on, I think I’ll stick with my morning ramblings. Smile
Anyway.. Don’t fret (as if you were – lol)! I won’t leave you with nothing. On October 10, 2017 at 12:57 a.m., I wrote the following in my journal – “Loyalty. That’s all he needs. Good Night.”
Hmmm… I guess loyalty was all he needed. Smile. Gotta love life.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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