Your dreams are important, too important to let die. No matter what comes or goes, or how much time passes, never give up on your dreams. Everything will happen at the appropriate time.♥️
Stay the course.
When I was in high school, my English teacher gave our class personalized, handwritten notes. Mine was written inside of a card that a former student had given her. On the cover was a painting of “The Lady of Shalott.” I was drawn to that painting. It was like I could feel her pain and agony.
I was her…
Here is the inside of the card with an additional note attached. The words from the attached note have keep me inspired, encouraged and hopeful for more than 30 years.
A few days before my birthday, I heard as clear as day, “Once you turn 50, your sabbatical is over.” All I could say was, “Yes, Lord.” I did not ask questions because I already knew what that entailed. Honestly, now that my children are grown and Momma is no longer here, I have absolutely no excuse for not embracing my purpose, pursuing my dreams or living my life to its fullest. None!
Here are a couple of messages that I shared on July 2nd over the last two years.
Facebook Memory: July 2, 2022
What good is a dream if it’s kept buried and unattended? Not much, right?
Water and nurture your dreams, then watch them grow.
Doing all three–watering, nurturing and watching my dreams grow. I’m blessed.
Facebook Memory: July 2, 2021– This was written in response to a video I shared.
Listen, write it down! Whatever you desire, WRITE IT DOWN. It may not happen in your timing, but you best believe it’ll happen when God knows you’re ready. And it will be greater than anything you’ve ever imagined.
Those two messages, along with my sabbatical ending, have me both excited and a little nervous. Excited because I love adventures. God always throws in something exciting and unexpected. However, I am a little nervous because sometimes those exciting, unexpected moments take me outside my comfort zone. Which brings me to yesterday’s experience.
So, it is no secret that I see myself as a future ambassador. I have written about it many times–Ambassador and/or Liaison. But Ambassador/Liaison of what?… I am not sure. All I know is, for as far back as my teenage years, I have seen myself standing before people, mostly dignitaries or people from other nations, informing them about something. The thing is, I hate public speaking. I absolutely hate it.
Sometime last week, my uncle–who is a candidate for a state office–asked if I could represent him at a political rally because he had a few other events to attend in another part of the state. I was hesitant but said I would. Friday he sent me his campaign speech. After reading it, my anxiety kicked in. All kinds of thoughts crossed my mind. Would I be able to do it? Who was going to be there? What was I getting myself into? About an hour or so after he sent the speech, he texted me and told me to just be myself, that he trusted me to say whatever I was going to say. Talk about a burden being lifted. However, I then felt the pressure of needing to represent him in the best way possible. Life…
Well, here is my reaction as I left the rally.
This was my raw reaction after what had just taken place. I love ME! Sometimes I crack myself up. This time I did not dwell on what I could’ve or should’ve done differently. Basically, I did not criticize myself, which is something new. Again, this stage of my life is all about staying present and at peace.
Listen, I delivered the speech the only way I knew how to–I was myself. Afterwards, I had other candidates come up to me and tell me that I had set the stage for the rest to follow (I was the third to speak). I guess I should mention that the rally happened in a small town and there were only about six people of color in attendance, including myself. Most of others were family members of one of the candidates. I met a sweet, older lady who told me she does not see color, that we are all the same. Bless her heart. I met local politicians, state politicians and representatives of candidates. Needless to say, I had a wonderful time! Y’all, I really do love meeting and talking with people. Everyone is different, but all want to be included. It is so true that we are more alike than different.
Can’t you hear, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…”?I surely can. Smiling
When I called my uncle to fill him in on the rally, he told me the audience was the reason he asked me to go. He said he knew they would love me. Hmm… Is that a compliment or not? Laughing. Then he said he had a few more rallies coming up that he wanted me to attend. Umm… I believe my campaigning days are over.One event was enough.
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, this year/decade is already different. Looking forward to seeing what exciting things God has planned next.
This is all I have for you today. Thanks for reading! Praying you have a wonderful day.♥️
Today is the final day of my birthday month, but not the final day of celebrations. Y’all, I am celebrating ALL YEAR LONG, then for 50 more years or so. Listen, I am celebrating LIFE! I’m so grateful to still be here and HEALTHY. God is so good!♥️ ~Shaun
Join the celebration! I promise you your soul will thank you.
I am still celebrating today! Actually, I am celebrating all year long, right?! Smile
As I wanted it to be, yesterday was more of a spiritual celebration (not church like spiritual–I was not dancing in the spirit or anything–Lol). It was more of a calm, peaceful acknowledgement of God’s magnificence. Y’all, I did not make it this far on my own, and I wanted Him to know I know I cannot make it these next 50 plus years without Him. So yesterday I honored Him by staying present and taking in every blessing He had already given me, as well as every blessing throughout the day. Y’all, because of this, I was able to fully enjoy my special moments.
Here’s a recap of my day…
First off, I had absolutely nothing planned for my birthday. As I wrote a few weeks ago, all of my planning stopped when Momma got sick last August. Then after she passed, I didn’t really feel like celebrating. I mean, I wanted to celebrate but not really. It’s hard to explain. Anyway, yesterday went the way it was meant to go. Smiling
– Woke up wanting to see the water so I decided I would head somewhere along the coast. I told my kids they could track me through my location. I didn’t know if once I hit the highway I would end up in New Orleans or Destin, Florida. It was going to be a day trip and I was just going to drive.
– Before I left, my son treated me to breakfast at my favorite local brunch spot. My daughter joined us so she could see me before I left. They allowed me to take a picture with them but made me promise not to post it, and I won’t. However, I will share my selfie.
First day of my 50s. Embracing ALL of me! Especially the hair.♥️
– After breakfast–which was more like brunch because of my late start (I wasn’t rushing)–I hit the highway. I headed south on Highway 59 towards New Orleans (the plan was to either head on down to NOLA or hit I-10 and head east to Florida). Well, I didn’t even make it to I-10. Didn’t even make it out of Hattiesburg before deciding to take Hwy 98 to Mobile; and that was the start of my day trip. I would love to say I made it to Florida and spent the day on the beach, but that didn’t happen. Nope. Before making it out of Mobile, I decided to turn around and head back to Mississippi on I-10. Listen, yesterday was all about going with the flow.
– Once I made it to Pascagoula, I called up one of my childhood friends and visited her. Her late sister was one of my best friends who died about 15 years ago from sickle cell complications. A year ago around this time, their younger brother succumbed to his. And the sister that I visited yesterday has been hospitalized a few times over the last year due to her complications. I was supposed to visit her a few months ago, but didn’t make it down. So yesterday I got to spend time with her and my late friends daughter, my goddaughter, who now has a family of her own. It was so nice visiting with them.
– On my way back home, I stopping and ate at Fridays. Hadn’t been to a Fridays since they closed the one in Hattiesburg years ago. The food was okay; however, cucumber and tomato salad was delicious! I love a good cucumber and tomato salad so I was in heaven.
Delicious salad!
– My next stop was Painting With A Twist. So the reason I turned around in Mobile was because I remembered I had signed up for a painting class that started at 7 PM. I got there minutes before the class started.
Planning to do this more often.
– When I got home, I was greeted with the sounds of Beyoncé singing Church Girl–HA! Don’t judge me, that’s my song! Opened my bedroom door and balloons were everywhere!! Y’all, I screamed and cried. Crying now. I wasn’t expecting anything. Last year my Apple Watch had stopped working. Y’all, I loved my watch. Had had it for years. Then it stopped pairing with my phone. Well, on my bed was this rectangular box. Y’all, I kept screaming, “I know this ain’t what I think it is?!!” And it was. THEN… I went to the bathroom and on my counter was a FENTY box. I screamed again because I had been talking about getting that red FENTY lipstick. My sister had just bought some and FaceTimed me just to show me how gorgeous she looked with it on. I just had to get it and there it was.
It’s not the things that made me happy but my daughter’s thoughtfulness. It feels so good to be loved and seen.♥️
So that was my birthday day. About to head to the coast again. This time to actually see the water.
During yesterday’s undirected trip, I listened to several random podcasts and messages. One after another, the messages hit on areas where I need growth. I needed that uninterrupted time alone. I have work to do. I have a God given purpose to fulfill and I aim to make God proud.
I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. About to celebrate Day 2 of this Jubilee Year! I will end with this, which is the message God gave me–Stay present and you will stay in peace. He advised me to enjoy and take in all of the goodness surrounding me presently, and He will take care of the rest. And after what I experienced yesterday, I am planning to do just that.
According to my Facebook memories, this particular message has been a running theme for this date, June 15th, for several years now. So, I will not rock the boat or switch it up. The message–
Be still. God is working.♥️ ~Shaun
Whatever it is, take your hand off of it and give it to God. Allow Him to work!
So happy to have God in my corner. Y’all, I am truly, truly blessed.
Right now the song, “I Do Worship,” by John P. Kee is stuck in my head on repeat. The song says–
For Your goodness and Your glory For the joy inside my story I do worship You
Crazy faith flourishes in the atmosphere of belief. – Pastor Mike Todd
Shaun’s Journal Entry, June 13, 2022
I ended the entry with a screenshot of a post I had shared earlier that year. I won’t share the screenshot, but I will share the message that was attached to it.
Ask, then believe.
Listen, ask for what you desire, then believe it will happen.♥️
Was looking through Facebook memories and old journals to find inspiration for today’s blog. I could not find a journal entry from this date 20+ years ago, so I decided to include my Facebook post from last year, June 4, 2022.
“Just me being me.🤷🏽♀️😁 Y’all, life is good and God is sooo amazing. I’m so grateful for His mercy and grace. And the way He loves me – INDESCRIBABLE!! Whew! Getting emotional just thinking about it.☺️ Twenty days until #Year49, and I’m going to enjoy every minute because I KNOW #ImBlessed! 🙏🏽♥️”
As I mentioned, I could not find an entry written on this date over 20 years ago. However, I did find several entries between 1991-2002 written either the day before or after June 4. Y’all, I weep for that young lady. She was so lost, hurt and broken. For years, even decades, she accepted any and everything that was thrown her way because she felt unworthy and unlovable. When I tell you her self esteem was shot. I can see now that she was punishing herself for that one decision she wish she had not made. That one decision caused her to enter a downward spiral that led to self hatred and mental abuse. She consistently punished herself by allowing others to misuse and abuse her. She felt she deserved the pain because she had not lived up to the dreams and goals she had set for herself. Y’all, she did not know she could recover. Sadly, it would be decades before she realized that one mistake did not define her and that all of her dreams and aspirations were still in tact.
Now, here I am 20 days before Year 50. As I mentioned last year, I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, it is truly INDESCRIBABLE! Today, I can happily say that my life is drastically different than it was 30 years ago. That young lady is finally a woman who understands that that one decision was just part of her (my) story. Smiling
Year 50 is loading. Excited to see where this next journey takes me.
As with favor, God’s protection is real. Be careful not to step outside of His protection to pursue things on your own. Yes, sometimes the wait is long and the pain, deep; however, it really is better to endure the wait than leave God’s protection. Remember, God knows what lies ahead. Stick with God!
Delayed is not denied. And denied only means there is something better ahead. Stay under God’s protection.♥️
Hello World! Sitting here in tears… happy tears. No, nothing miraculous has happened. Just visited my Facebook memories (had been logged off for a few days and about to log back off–loving this peace) and the Hello Sunday I had written last year was the very first post. I am sharing the link to the entire blog, below. Here is a snippet of what I wrote.
“Yesterday I shared the quote, ‘It WILL happen.’ This morning I checked my Facebook memories and last year, on this very date (May 29, 2021), I posted the exact same thing. Not in blog or quote, but as a response to someone else’s dream/vision. Y’all, at this moment, I’m so overwhelmed with emotions. I can finally see my dreams coming to fruition. My life is nothing like I imagined at all – it’s better!”
Fast forward to the present and nothing has changed outwardly. I’m still living in the same house, driving the same car, eating the same food–nothing visibly noticeable. However, internally… y’all, internally my life is completely different. I wish I could explain the joy and peace I feel within. When I tell you it’s greater than anything I have ever imagined. Y’all, I feel like a completely different person. Listen, if you only knew…
Y’all, God is absolutely amazing. I am truly blessed. My It WILL Happen has actually become, It IS Happening.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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