Eight is the number of new beginnings. Did you know that?

Today marks the eighth anniversary since my friend, brother, and husband, Jermaine, passed away. And as I am wont to do of late, I decided to outrun the creeping grief awaiting me by kicking off this season doing what I know he wants for me: Enjoying my life.

And I’m doing it in Amsterdam!!!

Trauma and grief can and will get you stuck and, somewhere within ourselves, we believe that staying there honors the memory of those that have gone before. Self-righteous, self-sabotaging thoughts like these held me captive in a cycle of mourning and indescribable pain for several years. Now I’m here to tell you THAT’S A BIG FAT LIE!!!

Love does not want suffering.

Love does not want unending pain

Love does not want brokenness.

Love wants joy.

Love wants healing.

Love wants wholeness.

Love wants you free.

This revelation didn’t come by accident. It was hard-won starting in 2017 in the smelting fires of change and movement. And I documented it. For you. Because God told me to. So that you would have a blueprint of what it looks like to take God’s hand and start healing - whatever that looks like for you.

I am re-releasing 🍃The Healing Series🍃 today that chronicles the first part of that incredible journey towards new life and I think it’s an auspicious time for it. The holidays, I have found for myself, can be the sneakiest time of year for the worst kinds of grief, loneliness, and depression. And, let’s face it - the last few years have been kinda… But God would have you heal. Because He loves you.

By the time I took off on that trip five years ago (first to the Caribbean and later to Europe), my best friend and my mother had both followed Jermaine into their next life journeys. There was every reason in the world to stop, lie down, and not move again, but I got a word in my spirit: “Run! Run before you’re not able to move again.” And that’s exactly what I did.

Maybe your thing isn’t losing people close to you, but my question to you is still the same: What are you prepared to do to get out of your pit today?

Might I suggest something simple, dear friend? Get inspired by 🍃The Healing Series🍃 and start dreaming. Start imagining. Start living. Because that’s what everyone who’s ever loved you wants: For you to enjoy your life!

First episode “Caribbean, Anyone?” starts here.

God bless you, Loves. I’ll talk to you soon. 💋∞∞

~ Love, Shannon