“Draw Me Close To You/Thy Will Be Done,” by Marvin Winans has been playing over and over in my head since I woke up. Listen, no matter what happens, or does not happen, stay close to God. Lean into Him. Rest in Him. Stay covered. Allow Him to lead. His will will always be better than ours. He sees and knows things we do not. His foresight is so much greater than ours. Trust Him and trust His will. He’s got you. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun
Every year around this time I usually take a short social media break. It is how I clear my head to get ready for the rest of the year. Typically, I delete all of my apps to keep me from mindlessly tapping them. Well, this year my apps are still on my phone and I have not tapped on as usual. This is what I call growth.
I wonder how long this will last. Am I finally controlling social media without it controlling me? Been saying for years that this is what I wanted. Maybe it is finally happening. Maybe…
Easing into 2024 with love, peace, joy and gratitude. Thankful for all that I currently have while looking forward to the blessings this new year will bring. I pray that your 2024 is filled with unconditional love, peace, joy and blessings. Love you always!♥️ Shaun
Social media has been excited for weeks now for this day—12/31/23 (123123)—to come so I thought I would mention it. (Smiling). Life is interesting and people are even more interesting. Gotta love them both.
Anyhoo…
Today is the last day of 2023. I pray whatever you were hoping for happened, or somewhat happened. Below is what I wrote last year in my final blog for 2022. I will say my 2023 turned out as I had somewhat hoped it would have because I stayed true to how I approached it, with humbleness and gratitude. I did not ask for much nor expected much, and was grateful for every blessing God sent my way. Here is what I wrote last year.
Y’all, 2022 was one eventful year! I’m so grateful God was with me every step of the way. So grateful for His guidance, grace and unconditional love.
Each year, instead of a setting a New Year’s resolution, I set a theme for the year. This year’s theme for 2022 was “Unapologetically Me.” I loved and lived up to it. I didn’t set it for others to see, or even notice. It was personal. It was for me to feel and embrace, and I did. Let’s just say it’s how I needed to end this decade of my 40s. Smiling
This coming year I’m entering a new decade of life, my 50s, and want to do things a little differently. Nothing bold. Nothing deep. The energy I’m taking into 2023 is humbleness and gratitude. It’s the energy I would like to have as I usher in the next half of my life. Gotta leave the negative energy on this side of my century. Smiling. Honestly, I’m looking forward to turning 50. God is good.
Okay.. so here is the ultra-condensed, yet very significant version of my accomplishments in 2022:
• I conquered a few fears. • I found myself again. • I released control.
I just wanted to add, releasing control was probably the most rewarding. This year, so many things happened that were beyond my control. I had no choice but to give in and go with the flow. Then, there were the things I could control. Well, I found out they weren’t worth the headache or heartache, so I let them go. Y’all, I never knew releasing control could be so freeing. This is a whole-nother level of freedom I never knew existed and I’m loving it!
As I mentioned earlier, I am focusing on humbleness and gratitude in 2023. Not expecting much. Not asking for much. Just grateful for what I already have. If God decides to bless me with more, I will be just as grateful.
As I enter 2024, I plan to remain humble and grateful for everything I already have and anything extra God decides to throw in. The amount of peace I have experienced by doing so has been immeasurable so why change it!
Next year, my goal is to continue practicing what I recently began doing a few days ago which is to stop fighting against (worrying about) things that unexpectedly pop up in my life, and to go with the flow. To allow God to navigate through the craziness while I rest in Him. To have my listening ears open and be prepared to move when He says move and relax when He says relax. To stay at peace despite the chaos and confusion happening around me. To continue loving the way I love as well as embrace the love surrounding me. To build a stronger relationship/bond with God. To stay under His covering and protection. When I tell you God’s protection is everything! Whew!! You better try it! Lastly, to take care of Shaun. Yes, to take care of me. To love and protect myself just as much as I do others. To put myself first so that I my cup remains full while I pour into others.
Well, that’s that. Praying you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Talk to you later.
Y’all, I finally got to see the 2023 version of the movie The Color Purple and I absolutely loved it!! If you have not seen it yet but have seen the original movie, play or read the book, I suggest you go in prepared to have a new experience. It was wonderful! And Fantasia! Listen, Fantasia did that!! I felt every word of the song “I’m Here.”
As 2023 ends and 2024 rolls in, I want the universe to know, Baby, I am here!!! Yessss…. I’m here!
I don’t need you to love me I’ve got my sister, I can’t feel her now She may not be here, but she’s still mine ‘n I know, she still loves me I’ve got my children, I can’t hold them now They may not be here, but they still mine ‘n I know I know I still love them Hey Got my house It still keeps the cold out Got my chair When my body can’t hold out Got my hands doin things like they s’post to Showing my heart to the folks that I’m close to I got my eyes though they don’t see as far now They see more ’bout how things really are now I’m gonna take a deep breath Hey I’m gonna hold my head up Gonna put my shoulders back And look you straight in the eye I’m gonna flirt with somebody When they walk by I’m gonna sing out Sing out yeah I believe I have inside of me Everything that I need to live a bountiful life With all the love inside of me I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree And I’m thankful for each day that I’m given Both the easy and the hard ones I’m livin’ But most of all Yes I’m thankful for lovin’ who I really am I’m beautiful Yes I’m beautiful And I’m here Yes you are, you are here.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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