Life

True Happiness

True happiness comes from within.

You can’t find true happiness in things or people, and you surely cannot buy it. Believe me, I have tried before only to end up in the same state—feeling sad, depressed, unloved—after the excitement was over. No, true happiness is God-given and comes from within.♥️

Facebook Memory: July 10, 2023

True happiness comes from within. Wishing you much happiness and peace.♥️

Wishing you true happiness.


On another note, earlier this morning I watched Jay Shetty’s podcast with philanthropist, Melinda French Gates. It was a conversation I was already interested in hearing. However, I did not know it would end up being one I needed to hear. Yes, needed to hear. I can’t say it enough, I just love how God loves me. He always sends the right messages at the absolute right time. Always.

Here’s the link, if you are interested: Jay Shetty with Melinda French Gates.

Praying you’re having a wonderful day this far.♥️

Take Care,

Shaun

Life

Healthy Boundaries Are Good

Healthy boundaries are good. You understand your mental, emotional, and physical capacity more than anyone else. Do not allow yourself to be coaxed or finessed into relaxing your boundaries to appease others. Remember, you set those boundaries for a reason. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun

Life

Heal So You Can Grow

If you do not heal, you will not grow.

I repeat…

If you do not heal, you will not grow.

Meaning…

You will never reach your fullest potential if you do not heal. You might get a glimpse of it, but you will never reach it.

Heal so that you can grow.♥️ ~Shaun

Holistic healing is best.🌱
Life

The Last Three Weeks

The last three weeks have been mentally and physically exhausting. Like, for real. On most days, I know I was on autopilot—operating without even thinking, doing what I have been programmed to do since childhood (take charge). At least, that’s how it felt. Here’s an overview of what happened:

My sister had a healthy baby boy. Both left the hospital healthy (so we thought). Two days later, she was in the ER diagnosed with postpartum heart failure, then sent home to follow up with a cardiologist. Two days after that, the baby had jaundice.

Before my sister could follow up with the cardiologist, she was back in the ER. This time they consulted with her OB doctor and was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia. Which was more accurate. She stayed in the hospital a few days and was released after her vitals and bloodwork were back to normal.

That was my first hospital stay since my mom passed.

While all of this was happening with my sister, my stepmom was having health issues, which were getting worse. She was sick while my sister was in the hospital, but I couldn’t be with both. Had to decide which needed me the most. It was a lot.

Well, last week…last Wednesday to be exact, my stepmom had to have emergency surgery. I stayed with her from Wednesday until Sunday. She was discharged yesterday, but she still isn’t well. It will probably be several weeks before she’s moving around again.

So, that was my last two to three weeks. Oh… and I was still working during all of this. So very thankful for remote work and the ability to make my own schedule. These are truly luxuries that are often taken for granted. Even being single with grown children is a privilege; however, it is also taxing at times. As my daughter advised me, before I jump up and do anything else, I need to be still and take care of myself, first. And I am doing exactly that.

That’s all I have for you today. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday.

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

Overthinking

I needed this reminder today because that is exactly what I have been doing lately—overthinking. Last night I told my daughter that I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t turn my mind off. Seems like I have been trying to solve everyone’s problems lately, and none are directly mine. Yesterday, I could feel my body changing. I had become so stressed and tense. Had to force myself to do something other than work or think. Decided to put down my phone and watch “Annie,” the Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis one. I needed that bit of relief. I’m promising myself to do better today.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: March 12, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. I’m always thinking… often overthinking. Always trying to figure things out or solve a problem. Life is a mystery. We cannot predict what will happen next. We can only assume what will happen. Very few things in my life, have happened as expected. Honestly, I don’t believe anything has ever gone exactly as planned or imagined. So, today, I plan to stop overthinking and just let go. Totally trusting God.

Praying and trusting God to do His job because it’s not on me to do. I must remember my place. God’s got everyone I am concerned about. Trusting Him.🙏🏽
Life

Year 45 Month 8 (February 24, 2019)

Smiling as I think about how far I have come. I actually love who I am—without filters, without trying to fit in, without criticizing myself, without trying to change who I am, without seeking validation from others. I love the woman God created. I am truly His child.

When I originally shared this, I was actually trying to encourage myself to embrace all of me. However, it wasn’t until this year, Year50, that I actually did it. I embraced ALL of me. As I said in my previous post, this has been some year! Not the year I thought it would be, but the year I needed it to be. I’m blessed.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: February 24, 2019

Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s social media find. During different stages of my life, I found myself trying to fit in. I didn’t realize that being different was a blessing, not a curse. I’m not going to lie, I still struggle with the fact that I don’t fit in most circles. Guess you can say I’m more like an octagon.😉😁 Multifaceted. I am rare. I’m exactly how God made me. If you find yourself feeling down because you’re not quite like others, remember, you’re God’s child. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be. Don’t try to change to fit in. Embrace your uniqueness!

When I shared this, I used the hashtag “EitherULoveMeRUDont.” The same applies today. Either you love me or you don’t. The only thing that matters is that I love myself, and I do.☺️
Life

Self Love

Originally shared on February 12, 2022

I used to believe doing something nice for myself was self love. I would buy myself something nice, treat myself to a fabulous meal, get a massage, or spend the day doing either everything I wanted to do or nothing at all. That was my definition of self love. Now… Now, it’s more about protecting my peace and my holistic wellbeing with my spiritual and mental wellness being most important.

Here are a few things I have finally learned and implemented:

– Saying “no” to things I don’t want to do, and without feeling guilty (yeah…it used to weigh on me), is self love. “No” is a complete sentence. No explanation needed.

– Protecting my space (physically and mentally) is self love. I am so mindful of who and/or what I allow into my space. Discernment has been key.

– Receiving good things without feeling like I don’t deserve them is self love. Yes, I deserve good things. I deserve God’s best. I mean, I am His child! Smile

– Being nurtured instead of always being the nurturer is self love. Listen, once you have been on the receiving side you can’t imagine settling for anything less.

– Putting myself and my needs first is self love. I believe this has allowed me to love even deeper. It has definitely strengthened my relationship with God.

It took me forever to get here (decades). And now that I am finally here I have no intentions of going back to life as it was. I love it here. Smiling

Guess you could say this is life beyond Year50.

I pray you have found true self love. Believe me, it’s beautiful and so peaceful.♥️

Shaun

Life

A Necessary Task

Today’s Facebook memory basically falls in line with the pruning I experienced several months ago, and the decluttering I wrote about before the new year. When we really start growing—especially mentally, emotionally and spiritually—we begin to discover we have to let a few things go (sometimes people). We have to let go of things that trigger and/or hinder our growth or progression.

From experience, I know this is not easy thing to do. I still struggle with it. I believe it’s difficult because some things have been with us for years if not our entire lives (certain mindsets, behaviors, and beliefs). Believe me, it takes a lot of discernment and a good relationship with God to know what to let go of and what to hold on to because if we are not careful, we could toss what we need and hold on to what we don’t. Yes, discernment is very important. Also, being still so we can clearly hear God’s voice is utmost important. I know…sounds like a brutal task, doesn’t it? But it’s not. Smile…

Listen, God will never steer us wrong or leave us without. If we accidentally let go of things (opportunities, relationships, etc.) we should have held on to, we will receive them again. Believe me, whatever is meant to stay in our lives, will stay. It’s called God’s mercy, grace, and favor. For those who know, know there’s nothing like it! Amen

Okay… I’m done rambling. Just know that in the end everything always works out because God’s got us!♥️

Here’s today’s memory.

Facebook Memory: January 13, 2022

Walking away from things that no longer serve us is often difficult and sometimes painful, yet it is so necessary for growth. I pray God gives you the strength to walk away from things that no longer serve you so that you are able to move forward freely.

It’s not easy but necessary. And don’t worry about making the wrong decision. God won’t let us fail. What’s meant to be will be.

Sending blessings and love your way. Have a wonderful weekend!♥️

Shaun

Life

Protect Your Peace

Listen, protect your peace at all costs. Do not let the craziness and chaos that’s surrounding you get to you or inside of you. It’s not worth it.

Facebook Memory: January 10, 2022

One of the keys to living a healthier, stress-free life is protecting your peace. Sometimes this means cutting ties with certain people and/or avoiding spaces that cause stress. Listen, your life depends on it. #ProtectYourPeace

NOTE: Symptoms of stress – excessive worry, uneasiness, tension, headaches, body aches, high blood pressure and loss of sleep. (National Institute of Mental Health)

There’s only one YOU. Protect your peace and stay healthy!♥️

Love you,

Shaun