Tag: storytelling
Wednesday Writings
Hello! Hello! Hello!! It’s almost 3:00 a.m. here in Hattiesburg. Since I am wide awake, I will go ahead and post today’s blog. This one is from another Facebook memory dated August 11, 2018. I read it and just had to share.
How many of us, no matter how far we have progressed in our mental and spiritual journey, are still struggling to heal from something no one knows about. That thing that knocks us to our knees from time to time. I refuse to believe I am the only one who experiences this.
A few weeks ago, my son asked if I ever had moments where I thought about something I did and instantly became embarrassed; something I was too embarrassed to share with someone else. I told him yes. That it happened more often than I liked. I went on to explain that most of the time whatever happened was so small, yet I couldn’t seem to get over it. That’s when I shared one of my moments with him, something I had never shared with anyone else. Honestly, I felt completely comfortable sharing it with him. I guess it’s because he is the only one who does not make me feel crazy or weird when I tell him things. Yes, he’s my gift. Grateful God placed him in my life.
Anyhoo… back to the Facebook memory. Here is what I shared three years ago.
August 11, 2018
I believe all of us can relate to this one. No matter how strong we are, or how much we’ve overcome, there’s always that one little thing we can’t seem to shake. Sending prayers and love!🙏🏽💕 #PrayAndWorship #GotsGotYou #YoureCovered
Thanks for reading. Wishing you a fantastic Wednesday!
Shaun
Shiny & New
Hello Sunday
Hello Everyone! Hope this blog finds you well. Thought I would open today’s blog with a proper greeting because you deserved to be greeted properly. Now, I am not going to promise this will happen often, however, it is happening today. Smile
For those of you who have been reading my blogs for a while, you know I constantly reference two things – trusting God and fulfilling my purpose. You would think by now I would have trusting God mastered. Well, to be completely honest, I don’t. I mean, my trust is getting stronger over time; however, I do slip up from time to time and try to do things on my own. This does not mean I do not have faith that God will do what He’s said. It means sometimes I think He could use a little help with hurrying things along. Now, I know I cannot be the only one who does this. Anyhoo.. today I would like to share a Facebook memory from 2018. The “social media” find I am referring to in my post is the following quote from Bruce Van Horn.
Focus more on WHY you want your dreams to come true rather than how to make them come true. The “HOWS” happen in miraculous ways!
Bruce Van Horn
Facebook Memory: August 8, 2018
Today’s social media find. I’ve found this to be true. The more I focus on why I want my dreams to come true, the more things fall into place. When I focus on the “hows,” I tend to worry and become anxious. I’m learning more and more to let go and let God handle the “hows.”
Two Questions: Why do you want your dreams to come true? What’s your purpose?
As I mentioned earlier, I am getting better with trusting God – that is, completely trusting God to handle everything, or the “HOWS”. The newest task that has been added to this journey is expectation. Basically, expecting to receive God’s blessings (during the how moments) while staying focused on my dream, or my purpose. Yeah.. it’s pretty complicated. My problem has been going from trust to expectation without becoming anxious because I do not see anything happening. I know it’s going to happen because He said it would. But.. WHEN?! HOW?! Now, THAT is a discussion for another blog! Lol. One day I will share my testimonies. Believe me, there are many. Y’all, God is constantly blowing my mind! Smile
Well, that’s all I have for you today. Have a blessed week!
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Just woke up from a disturbing dream. I was working at my old job and dealing with some of the same people and issues that eventually led to my resignation. While laying here thinking, l began hearing the song, How I Got Over. The song says:
How I got over
How I got over
My soul looks back and wonder how I got over
Whew! Y’all, God is good. I am so grateful that stage of my journey is over. As I think about the last thirty years of adulthood, I can’t help but smile. I made it through some difficult times. And y’all, I’m still here! Again, God is so good!
My soul looks back and wonder how I got over.
Thanks for reading. Wishing you a fabulous week!
Shaun
Wednesday Writings
Today is National Mac and Cheese Day and debut of my first professional blog! Wanted to share it with you– my fellow bloggers– first. Enjoy!
This is only the beginning. Grateful
Shaun
Just Felt Like Writing
It’s almost 4:00 AM. This time I fell asleep in the recliner. Woke up about an hour ago and can’t go back to sleep. So I guess I’ll write and share one of my Facebook memories.
Two years ago, I was on cloud nine. Life seemed so surreal. Two days before I had written the post below, the judge finalized my divorce. I had waited over four years for that day. I remember being so nervous as I entered the courthouse. I tried not to expect the worse but I did. The night before, I had googled everything that could possibly go wrong. What if my ex changed his mind? What if the judge decided not to grant the divorce? Sooo many what ifs. Y’all, I was a nervous wreck. I remember my lawyer telling the judge that I was really nervous. The judge assured me that I didn’t have anything to be nervous about. That I had waited long enough, she was signing the papers. After it was all over, all I wanted to do was hug my babies. They knew what that day meant. They knew what I had been through because they went through it with me. I always tried to hold it together around them. Never wanted them to see me sad or cry, but they knew. They were my rocks. I’m so grateful they allowed me to love on them over that four year period. The love I gave them they reciprocated, which has continued to this day. Honestly, I have never been loved so unconditionally. They are my blessings.
Y’all, I’m forever grateful I listened to God. Despite how crazy people thought I was for getting the divorce, I listened to God, let go and haven’t looked back. In April of this year, I did the same with my career of 15 years. I left it all behind and haven’t regretted it once. Unlike when I separated from my ex– all nervous and afraid– this time I wasn’t nervous or afraid. I happily let everything go knowing I was following God’s lead and that I was safe in His hands. I guess you could say the divorce and that four year period of only relying on God prepared me for where I am today. Without going through what I went through back then, I would not have been able to make it today. Y’all, I have been jobless since April 1st and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. God assured me He would provide and He has. Grateful.
Okay.. I’ve written enough. Here’s what I shared on June 19, 2019. By the way- Happy Juneteenth!!
Happy Hump Day! Here’s today’s social media find. Take the leap! TAKE THE LEAP!! I guarantee, if God said He’ll catch you, you have NOTHING to be afraid of. Words of caution– it’ll be a bumpy fall. You’ll have some scars. Mostly because you decide to trust yourself and not God. But it’s all good. Those bumps will help you grow and become stronger. Just know, in the end, when God catches you!!!.. Whew!.. You’ll KNOW it was well worth the leap.
Unlike that particular leap, this one hasn’t been bumpy at all. As I said earlier, I believe the first leap prepared me for where I am today. I learned from the first one to trust God, COMPLETELY! Forever grateful and blessed.
As always, thanks for reading my early morning ramblings.
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Today’s blog is composed of two Facebook posts from June 6, 2019. When I first began sharing my Facebook memories and excerpts from journal entries, I felt like a lazy blogger. Then it finally dawned on me that I’ve already put in the work on the backend so why not share them.
The first post is Be Ready, and the second, Forever A Princess.
Be Ready
If you’re like me, you ask God for things praying they come to pass. However, after facing numerous setbacks you begin doubting things will ever work out in your favor. But in the back of your mind you know God is ALWAYS working behind the scenes. You’ve actually witnessed His work through others’ blessings. You don’t hate. You rejoice with them and tell yourself, “One day that will be me.” Well, while you’re watching and waiting, are you preparing? If not, you better be because when God starts moving, He moves fast! #BeReady
Forever A Princess
Happy Thursday! Here’s today’s social media find. As I celebrate my 46th birthday month, I’m still trying to figure out what I truly want to do in life. I just can’t see myself doing the same exact thing for the rest of my life.
Although my life is forever evolving, the kind of woman I’ve always wanted to be hasn’t changed. I am the woman I envisioned as a little girl– strong, loving, compassionate, empathetic, passionate, spontaneous yet cautious, adventurous, love challenges… The list goes on and on. Honestly, I love who I am. I know 5 year old Shaun would be proud of her 45 year old self. Yeah, she would love me!
Oh, and I’m still a princess even though everyone around me believes I should refer to myself as a queen.🙄 No… I’m a princess.
Hope you enjoyed my memories. They always make me smile. Wishing you a wonderful week. Stay safe and be blessed.
Shaun
Remembering Chef Leah Chase
Two years ago we lost one of culinary’s finest, Chef Leah Chase. Here’s the Facebook post I shared on June 2, 2019.
Feeling some kind of way. I became a culinary student in 2000, and the two chefs I wanted to meet the most are in this picture, Marcus Samuelsson and Leah Chase.
In 2014, my dream came true. I remember sitting and making a list of people I wanted to meet one day. Then, a couple of weeks later I came across a flyer for a rededication event honoring Chef Chase, and the guest speaker was none other than– Marcus Samuelsson! Yes! I knew right away it was meant for me to attend. God had lined everything up so perfectly. Y’all know I love watching God work.
Of course I had to deal with a few setbacks before attending the ceremony. Nothing ever works the way we envision it. Lol. The day before the event was to happen, I was hit with an unscheduled meeting at the same time I had planned to leave for New Orleans. Y’all, I immediately became disappointed. I felt like it wasn’t meant for me to go. But God! After my meeting ended, I told myself if God put both of them in the same place at the same time, after I had asked to meet them, I’d better go. I was so worried about getting there late, and guess what– it didn’t even start on time. Lol! I also thought she would be too busy for a photo. Well, to my surprise, we actually had time for a conversation.
Yes, I’m in my feelings right now, but I said all of this to say, when God is in it, the ONLY person who can stop things from happening is you! Don’t talk yourself out of God’s blessings. I’m so grateful He blessed me with the opportunity to meet Chef Chase. She will be missed.
And she is definitely missed.🙏🏽🕊
Hello Sunday
“Some opportunities only happen once.”
I wrote this on May 30, 2015 when I had the opportunity to do a promotional video for Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience. When I received the email, my initial thought was- “Is this legit?” After the writer assured me that it wasn’t a joke– because I’m very leery of things I receive online– I became afraid. Y’all, so many thoughts filled my head– “How will I look on camera?” “Will I say the right things?” “How many people will see the video?” “Why me?” The more the questions flowed in the more fearful I became. So I replied to the email and politely declined making the video, but I did provided written feedback. Y’all, I really loved the 21-day series. I participated in multiple ones. They helped me manage my emotions during some really difficult times. If you ever have the opportunity, please sign-up. And guess what- they’re usually free!
So that was six years ago. Now let’s fast-forward it to a few months ago. I was contacted by someone doing PR for a show I watch. They asked if I would do a short video about how I liked the show. Unlike the first time, this time I was offered a small incentive, which should have encouraged me to do it, but I declined. Again, the same thoughts came rushing in with the first being “Is this legit?” Once again, fear had won. Later that evening, I saw a video that another viewer had submitted and thought to myself, “I could have done that.”
So, do opportunities only happen once? My answer is no. If it is something that is meant to be– like me being heard as well as seen– the opportunities will continue to come. A little over a week ago, I was contacted by a journalist from a TV station to do an interview. This time I wasn’t afraid. I accepted the opportunity. Do I care how I’ll look, or if I’ll say the right things? Of course! However, those thoughts no longer control me, nor does fear.
Y’all, I am so grateful God doesn’t give up on us, especially when we have given up on ourselves. After the first opportunity, I was sure no one would ever contact me again. Honestly, I felt like a failure. But God had other plans! As I’ve said many times before, I’m so grateful for second, third, fourth, and even 100 chances. God is good.
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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