My life. My world. Love, hope, peace, joy & happiness.
When I hear the phrase “keep smiling,” I instantly hear Dionne Warwick follow up with “keep shining, knowing you can always count on me for sure. That’s what friends are for.”
The song, That’s What Friends Are For, goes on to say—
“For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more. That’s what friends are for.”
Shaun
Happy Birthday to me, again!! Just kidding. I am four months on this side of 50 and although this celebratory journey hasn’t been glamorous, it has been exactly what I have needed. Everyone who knows me knows I like watching God work. Well, I am doing just that. I now have a front row seat watching Him work in my life. You would think I would have been seated here all along, but nooo… I have been seated several rows back… in my own life. Shaking my head. Well, I am now front row at an exclusively, private screening of my own show, It’s Shaun’s World. Yes, I am finally here! Woohoo! And this time I am the main character. Can’t believe it has taken me this long to get here. Well, I did have to take care of my babies; however, I should have also been taking care of myself as well. Hindsight is 20/20, right?
Anyway, over the last four months, as with any good show, I have celebrated, cried, laughed, cried, gained a lot of wisdom, and cried even more. When I tell you these last four months have been intense—almost like a boot camp. As a result, I am stronger, wiser and more focused than ever.
Seriously, God’s been working on me. There were so many areas of my life that I thought I was doing well in only to find out I needed a lot more work. Here’s a quote taken from my Hello Sunday written two years ago.
“I believe God reveals things in stages. He reveals them when He knows we are equipped and ready to move to the next level. Whether we view the revelations as disappointments or blessings, every reveal or “aha” is always on time.”
I was so right. Every revelation has been right on time. Can’t wait to see where this show goes. I have eight more months left in the first of 50+ seasons. Wherever it goes I know that I will always come out on top. You know why? It’s because God is the writer, producer and director of this show. Plus, he loves me! Laughing
That’s all for now. Thank you for celebrating with me! I have a few Facebook memories to share later.
Take Care!♥️
Shaun
A few months ago when I declared the next 50+ years would be nothing like the last, I had no idea what was coming. Right before I turned 50, I began noticing areas of my life where I had become stagnant. Where if I did not make adjustments, I would never move forward. After I turned 50 (coming up on 50 yrs. 4 months), I thought I would be happily celebrating all year long; instead, I was hit with more revelations about changes and adjustments that were needed. The only way to describe it is I was being pruned. Everything that was holding me back needed to be adjusted or removed. It didn’t feel good. Even had me questioning God, something that I seldom do. However, I listened and did what I needed to do.
A few days ago, I was thinking about how much my life has changed in only a few short months. No more anxiety. No more comparisons. No longer caring what others think. I finally feel free to just BE.
While watching Jada Pinkett Smith’s interview, it dawned on me that I needed to find people with similar beliefs. For far too long I have been trying to fit in spaces that don’t fully embrace me. I’m not going to lie, it can be emotionally and mentally exhausting at times. Since I do not want to spend the next 50+ years alone, I really need to find my people, my tribe. My daughter is getting married and my son is creating his own path. It’s time for me to continue my journey to becoming who I’m destined to be. I can only do this with the love and support of people who truly understand, embrace, and appreciate all of me.♥️
This is Year50
Shaun
You better live! Life isn’t slowing down or waiting for you to catch up. Stop putting everyone else first like they’re more important than you. Listen… and hear me good… No one is more important or more valuable than you are. No one! You’re not being selfish, self-centered or inconsiderate. Nah… You’re just recognizing your worth. Now it’s time you start living in it. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun
Hello Year50!
How many times have you said something like, “They make me happy,” “This is my happy space,” or “I am happiest when…”? I know throughout my lifetime I have said or thought it at least a million times. However, looking back, it wasn’t the people around me or the spaces I was in that made me happy, it was me choosing to be happy. I am not saying that my surroundings didn’t contribute to my happiness, but ultimately it was my decision to be happy that allowed me to experience it.
Y’all, I have been in some spaces where I should have felt my lowest, yet I was happy. I have also been in spaces where I should’ve been on cloud nine and was miserable. It took me years to realize I controlled my happiness. I am not saying that I am never sad or disappointed or heartbroken. What I am saying is, over time I decided happiness was a better choice, and I absolutely love being happy.
Facebook Memory: September 30, 2021.
Praying you have an absolutely amazing day. Remember, you are in control of your happiness. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Your future is waiting for you to…
Love yourself unconditionally.
Embrace the love that’s flowing your way.
Tune out the noise of unworthiness.
Let go of things that no longer serve you.
Never forget that you are God’s child and deserve His absolute best.♥️ ~ Shaun
I have had this as my cover/header on several of my social media platforms for three years now. Three years! Three years and I still find myself placing limits on God. Shaking my head.
Don’t limit God
Do Not Limit God!
A couple of days ago, I went on a 24 hour adventure with a feisty, fearless 82 year old. When I tell you she’s not afraid to live! She kept saying, “Aww LaShaundra (not LaShaundrea), you’re a scaredy cat.” When I tell you she’s so spontaneous. Everything I once was. Probably everything I could still be if I would have stayed out of my head.
Now I am sitting here asking myself what would happen if I completely let go… like completely. What limits am I blocking? Hmmm…
In the words of one of my all time favorite people in the world, “Higher is waiting.” Y’all, I believe that’s my answer. That’s what I am blocking. I’m blocking something higher. Guess it’s time to take those limits off and soar! I can do this!!!
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Gotta love Year50. When I tell you I was not expecting my year to be anything like this. When I say God is pruning me for real. Y’all, it’s scary, uncomfortable, and somewhat painful; however, I am trusting God to take me somewhere wonderfully, unimaginable. Somewhere where my heart will sing again, the butterflies will flutter, and I will experience an overflow of joy, blessings and unconditional love, forever…
The other day while I was doing a little soul searching, I had one of my aha moments. My journey, my world, is an experience that is meant to be shared in real time. As I have said many times before, if I wanted transparency from others, I needed to be transparent myself. My tests and testimonies are meant to be shared now, daily; not in a book later.
Y’all, my life is not perfect. You’re surprised, right?! Laughing. Nope, it’s far from perfect. Here I am, 50 years old, and still do not have life figured out. Sometimes I feel like a twenty year old who believes they still have time to make mistakes until they figure out what works for them. Then there are other times when I feel like I need to buckle down and be serious about life. The latter usually happens after I see people with their stuff together.
Honestly… and I am being so transparent and serious right now… I cannot pinpoint exactly when my life changed. Most of my life I was so serious about what I wanted out of life and was adamant about getting it. Yes, there were setbacks, but I always bounced back with a force to be and do better. I had dreams and goals. Now it’s like my drive is gone. Seems like I spend most of my time chasing the drive rather than the dream. My momentum seems to come in spurts. Basically, I’m tired. That’s it! I’m tired. I’m tired of being in charge. I’m tired of making decisions. I’m tired of taking care of everybody and everything. I’m tired of chasing a forever moving target. I have been in charge of, taking care of, and making decisions for other people since I was around five years old (that’s as far back as I can remember having to do so) and I am straight tied (not tired).
One of my life long goals was to retire before age 50 and live out the rest of my life doing whatever I pleased. Well, I actually retired twelve years ago. While I was manifesting my retirement I should have been manifesting some good money to go along with the retirement. Just saying. Laughing.
I can’t lie, I am actually living in what I wanted, what I manifested (I’m telling you it’s real). So why am I 1) still trying to do things I really do not want to do and 2) not fully enjoying this time I have been blessed to have? Again, it’s like I am chasing a drive that’s no longer here instead of resting in God’s goodness as I should be.
I’ll figure things out sooner or later. I guess this is what Year50 is all about–figuring out how I truly want to live out the rest of my life. Will I continue trying to do things I have no desire to do (because it’s surely not working) or do what I really want to do?
Anyhoo… only time will tell. I pray y’all have a wonderful weekend. Love you!♥️
Shaun
Had forgotten about the theme I had chosen for this year, “Present and at peace.” Life started happening and my focus shifted from drawing from my inner peace to focusing on things happening around me. And about a good 90 percent of those things were someone else’s problems. My daughter says I internalize other people’s problems. She says it’s okay to empathize with them but their problems are theirs. And she’s absolutely right. I’m listening.
So today, I am once again choosing to stay present – only focusing on what’s in front of me – and at peace. Praying you do likewise. Have a wonderful day!♥️ ~Shaun
Here’s what I shared a year ago (August 1, 2022)–
Hello August!
It’s a new month, a new week and a new day. Today’s the PERFECT day to give that project, goal, dream or relationship that didn’t work out before, another try. Yes.. Try Again!
Wishing you a wonderful month!
This message is so timely. Lately, I have circled back to a few things I had given up on. Things that I felt were too challenging and/or time consuming to achieve at the time. Said I would give them one more try before completely giving up and moving on. One day I’ll share… probably after they are achieved or well established. Trying to stop over sharing but remain transparent.
Anyhoo… That’s all I have for you today. Wishing you a fabulous month! Remember to take care of yourself and enjoy life. Love you!♥️
Shaun
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