 Hey Kings & Queens,
As most of you know, I am the Founder & Director of Youth With A Purpose and our very first program is called the Mommy Mentor network. We help young moms with mentorship, postpartum support, maternity photoshoots, etc. Although I have not given birth myself YET, I have been around plenty of women that have. When it is time to deliver the baby, rarely does the baby come out in one push. After about the second or third push, the mom is sweating, tired, screaming and ready to give up! Just when she feels like she can't push anymore, she wants to throw in the towel and kill the father, the doctor says "okay sweetheart, just ONE MORE PUSH and you can meet your little angel." With the encouragement from the family, baby's father and the doctor, the mom pushes with all of her strength and out comes the baby! A bundle of joy. A blessing to the world. Although the mom was tired, weak and ready to give up, she pushed just one more time in order to meet the biggest blessing of her life. For the last 9-12 months, I have felt as if I was in a season of pregnancy (not physically obviously). Like, the vision of my life was deepening, growing and developing. That at the end of the 9-12 months, my life will be birthed to the next level. When you are in-tuned with God, you can often times feel a change in seasons. You can sense that something is coming. I am at the point in my life and career that either I give up or like the mom in labor, I give all of my energy and strength to pushing just ONE MORE TIME. I have been a solo entrepreneur since 2018. I created Radiant Edge in 2018, my nonprofit Youth With A Purpose in 2020 and Purpose Coaching/ Consulting in 2022. I am tired. Tired of creating content. Tired of relying on faith to pay the bills. Tired of taking risks. Tired of building websites and promo things. Tired of creating my own income. Tired of thinking for everyone. Tired of being stressed. Tired of constantly learning & developing skills to keep all of the businesses going. Just tired... (please pray for ya girl! & if you feel the same way, reach out to me so that I can pray for you also. Don't stop reading, it gets better towards the end). I'm not going to lie, living by faith can be extremely difficult. Especially when we start doing things in our own strength and we stop being connected to the vine (John 15). I know other people that have also quit their jobs to pursue purpose like me and ultimately ended up with a new job within 6 months. I am at a cross roads seriously. Either I use my degree and work in the social work field and I give up/take a break from entrepreneurship or I PUSH JUST ONE MORE TIME to the next level (spiritually AND financially). It honestly feels like a dark cloud and a heavy weight is on me. When I pray/worship, of course it leaves. But for the rest of the day, it's there. The heaviness only wants me to chill, watch TV, eat, scroll on social media, and sleep (extremely fatigued). Is this what you call spiritual warfare & opposition? Like maybe I need to actively fight in the spirit against whatever spirit that is trying to stop me from going to the next level? God reminded me today that I didn't choose entrepreneurship, He gave it to me as a gift. He put it inside of me as purpose. Wouldn't it be strange for me to walk away from purpose just because I'm tired? Maybe I'm not tired. Maybe there is a spiritual battle happening that is trying to prevent me from going to my next level in life? (If you study spiritual warfare, then you know). As a commitment to: God Myself My future kids My future husband Everyone reading this blog My mentees & anyone that looks up to me The people I help & the world in general I choose the latter. I will push just one more time! One lady by the name of Antonette prophesied at church and said "Shameka you are reaching your celebration season! You will be crying tears of joy!" Writing this blog, I am crying tears of weariness. Although I am tired, God reminded me that all of the things that I pray for (& put on my vision boards) come to pass. God is with me and for me. "Though it tarry....wait for it"- Habbakuk 2:3 Sometimes I feel forgotten by God. I am trying my very best to live according to God's will and although some people think that being Christian means life will be easy, it is the exact opposite. I could be married, pregnant and rich already if I lived according to the world. I would also probably be miserable, wanting a divorce and have no peace. God is faithful and will never fail His children. I believe that God is using me as an example to the world of what it means to live by faith and purpose. Although it doesn't feel good sometimes to walk by faith and to wait on God when God's timing is different than our own, when we wait on God, He will renew our strength. We will not faint. We will not stay weary/tired. (Isaiah 40:31) In this season, I will press into God more and commit to the final push! I will cast down those thoughts that speak against pushing to the next level (2 corn 10:15). I will work hard even when I feel like netflixin and chillin. I will remain consistent until I give birth (aka go to the next level.) Let's push just one more time! If you are in a season of transition also, please don't give up! There is greatness on the other side. Get some friends to pray with/for you (& keep you accountable) and keep on going! I stand with you in the transition. Love You all, Shameka “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
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 Hey Kings & Queens (:
So...... It's the middle of the work day and I am literally sitting here contemplating if I should be friends with this guy or not. I totally just wrote a blog about knowing who my husband is going to be, but maybe I need to get a few friends out of the way before God reveals to my husband that I am his future wife. Lol Is that dumb? I've always walked with wisdom and caution. So much so that I feel like I grew up fast and didn't really take advantage of the young crazy things that teenagers and young adults do. I'm sure I have also avoided a ton of heartache, misery, mistakes and...STDs. So, I was on this dating app and this guy says "hey you're beautiful... I want to be your sugar daddy." Like.... How straightforward is that lol. Usually, I ignore messages like this. (They're common... and not to mention DANGEROUS) But honestly, I have been an entrepreneur for 4 years, I want a new car, I'm tired of working SO hard and I would love to have a new friend. Yes, I know that meeting men online can be dangerous. I also know that men expect some "sugar" if they're trying to give out any money. If you know me personally, you know for a fact that I'm not giving out anything but hugs! Lol So, I'm sitting here knowing that God would not be pleased if I entertained this man. God is my Father and my provider. I am on the brink of greatness and this is a distraction. I know that everything I desire (wealth/financial stability, husband, kids, & my dream car ) is right on the other side of this test (& this year). But what if I don't pass the test...yet? What if I do hang out with this "sugar daddy"? What would you do? Stay tuned (: Love y'all, Shameka!  Hey Kings & Queens, I wondered why everyone kept praying over distractions in my life for 2022, and now I know why.... What do you think of when I say the word "distraction?" To me distractions are frustrations, annoyances, drama, etc. I never thought it would be the EXACT opposite. Now that I am 28 (happy birthday to me!) I feel a huge sense urgency to get married, have kids, and start a family. In order to do that, I need to open space in my life for dating right? Can't have a family without FIRST meeting the Prince Charming lol. So, I took a 6-9 month break from dating to pray & focus. I wanted to hear God's voice versus my flesh when it comes to dating. I definitely jumped the gun and started dating a little earlier than 9 months (I cheated lol). Guess who I met? Prince Charming right? No. Maybe........Prince Harming.... Tall, dark, and handsome! Mind you, they were definitely wealthy, established and very neat. I'm sure you're wondering "where's the distraction?" Just wait, it's coming! Dating takes time, effort and work! I started adjusting my schedule, hanging out more and more and going out of my way to make the relationship work. Cute! All fun and flirtation. Then came the
I didn't realize until listening to RC Blakes that I may be in (not anymore after writing this blog) a narcissistic relationship. Wow! Me of all people. I have degrees in Psychology and Social Work (mental health based), I know my identity, I know my worth and what I deserve. How did I fall into a distraction like this?! What? How? Me? Now what? "Narcissistic personality disorder — one of several types of personality disorders — is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others" Whenever I'm in weird uncomfortable situations, I think of 2 things. 1: How can I grow and learn from this? 2: If one of my girls (mentees) were in this situation, what would I tell them to do? So, after listening to RC Blakes, I realized that it's possible because my husband is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, I'm getting impatient. Also, the imposters and counterfeit men are increasing! Especially since I am becoming more known in the community. Everyone is like "heeeyyyy" or sliding into my DM's lol. Although I would rather not be single anymore, I refuse to let a man attempt to degrade me, belittle me, take advantage of me and bring unnecessary stress and drama! NO MA'AM! NO SIR! "I can see clearly now" that I need to continue onto my single journey until God makes it very clear that He has chosen a specific man to pursue Kingdom Purpose WITH. Not pursue drama, stress, premarital sex, negativity and things that will damage my self image. I thought narcissistic relationships were becoming so cliche and overrated until I actually experienced it! If you are in a narcissistic relationship, don't be embarrassed (because I understand how you could be. I am a little too.) because someone needs your story! Don't feel like you need to be 100% committed to that person despite your own sanity, comfort, and self image. You don't owe them anything. Don't stay because of the kids, don't stay because you don't want to be alone, don't stay because y'all look good together.... Love yourself. Value yourself. Get what you need. Therapy. Counseling. A hang out date with a close mentor or role model. Every relationship is a direct reflection of what we accept and allow into our lives. Not everything we accept is good for ourselves. I am definitely going to sit down and do some heart work after writing this blog. We're all human. We're all learning & growing. Thanks for reading this blog post. If you made it to the end, please say a prayer for me & definitely email me if you need prayer from me also (: Love you all! <3 Shameka Inspire. Motivate. Empower.  Hey Kings & Queens, After 3 events back to back in 2 days, I felt like I needed a week to just laaayyyy down! So I did just that! I'm all for sleeping and taking breaks when needed. I also stopped working out, started eating donuts everyday and....also stopped my morning devotionals with God. I found myself praying tonight before my youth & young adult bible study and I realized that so many people around me are sick, there's so much drama happening, and my body feels HORRIBLE! I apologized to God saying "Lord forgive me! I should be praying for people! I need to pray over the environment and against these spirits and principalities that are causing so much drama! My body feels terrible! Why did I stop working out?" on & on! God said " you're doing YOURSELF a disservice" I thought, "wait, what?" How am I doing myself a disservice? Isn't God the one that becomes angry when we do something wrong? Or when we're off track? I was so confused. I literally said out loud "wait, what? Lord what are you talking about?" And, like a good Father, He answered. He told me "yes, doing YOURSELF A DISSERVICE. You are the one that wants to be used by me, you want to help people, you want your body to be in shape, you want to prophesy and rule over principalities. The way you're living is doing a disservice to yourself. I will use you if you want to be used." WOAH! Reality check! Sometimes I think I'm disappointing God but in actuality I'm just feeding the flesh and making it more and more difficult to follow His spirit. If we feed the flesh more, we'll become fleshly/worldly. If we live by the Spirit we'll become more spiritual and rooted in Christ. If you are struggling with discipline, self control, consistency, etc. I pray that today you will be led by the Spirit and not the flesh. That you will listen to the still small voice in your mind that says "go this way. Do this, not that". The more we practice listening to the Holy Spirit, the more we'll live free and disciplined lives! Blessings to you kings & queens! With Love, Shameka   Hey Kings & Queens,
I hope you are healthy, cute & well! Lol I was reflecting on the phrase “the joy of the Lord is my strength” which comes from the verse Nehemiah 8:10. Sometimes we get busy doing everything we need to do. Our plates are full! Some of us have kids, enrolled in school, work full time, have a crazy baby momma/baby daddy, we’re starting businesses, trying to invest in stocks, etc. & we get used to the busyness & routines of our full lives. When our plates are super full, we can get weary & tired sometimes. Although we’re doing everything for everyone, we’re doing our best, & we may be right in the middle of purpose, buttttttt.....we still get overwhelmed! We're human. Guess what? If you connect back to the vine (John 15) by praying, worshipping, journaling & tapping into God (however you do that), HE will renew your joy & strength! Joy comes from HIM, not from the things. Don't get me wrong, the things are nice! Taking care of business is nice. Feeding and teaching our kids is nice. The money, fame & stuff is very nice. BUT, pure joy, peace, and happiness come from the Father! I encourage you to join me this week by starting your day with worship, prayer & spending time in God's word. Maybe start with 15 minutes if you can. If you can do more, 30 minutes- 1 hour. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Seek Him and He will fill your cup and give you your joy back. Joy that overflowing! Love you! Please comment how your morning devotionals are going! Of course leave prayer requests & comments. Blessings, Shameka Verses: James 4:8, psalm 16:11  DCFS Conference of Champions 5/12/22 at the Hellenic Center Lancaster CA. Hey Kings & Queens,
Y'all was this week a struggle for anyone else besides me? Because....everyone I know has felt down, heavy, complacent/stuck, lost, sick and other not so good things! Last night I realized "this has got to be spiritual!" There is no way that every single person is feeling bogged down at the same time and it be a coincidence. I think something amazing is about to happen for believers, my circle and myself! (Get ready for it!) Y'all this week was so strange. I started off on a good page then, I got in a few disagreements with business partners, I realized that other businesses were duplicating my project ideas and cutting me out of them, people are getting funding for services that they don't even do meanwhile other nonprofits (like mine) need funding, and my feelings were hurt from seeing one of my friends intentions as envious, malicious, and hateful towards me. Here's a glimpse into my prayer life. I asked God " is this how business is going to be? I am literally just trying to do your will and help the world! I'm doing my best Lord! Why can't we all work together and not have drama? Why are people duplicating ideas instead of collaborating? Why do people have bad intentions for me when I just want everyone to win? Why is everyone else being funded when I'm literally working so hard for everything I'm doing? This can't be it! Lord I need to go to a different city/state! I don't want to be in this city anymore. Why is this so difficult? No one knows how hard it is to live by faith & not take short cuts to riches & fame!" After thinking this, my sister invited me to church. I definitely did NOT want to go. I wanted to go home and cry to my pillow lol. I ended up going. It turned out to be a prayer night. I thought "great! I definitely don't feel like praying for however long!" I sat in my chair, started praying and felt overwhelmed with sadness, hopelessness, and weariness. I was trying so hard not to cry. Everyone started praying for each other. I didn't want anyone to come and touch me, hug me or pray for me! I didn't want to fall apart! Although I knew I needed a whisper from God. I desperately needed someone to pray for me. Finally, the pastor walked up to me and asked if he could pray for me. He started off with a cute prayer like "thank you Lord for Shameka's impact on the community..." next thing you know he's talking about working together with the people in the AV, collaboration, brining unity to the AV, my heart being pure to help people, business partners, resources, not being weary in well doing, strength AND he said "God is rejoicing over you! God is proud of you! Your parents in heaven are proud of you!" The flood gates were GUSHING! When I tell y'all I couldn't stop crying...My jeans were soaked from the tears falling! There was no way he could have known everything that was in my mind and heavy on my heart! THAT RIGHT THERE, was a display of God's divine knowledge and Holy Spirit! I hadn't told the pastor anything about my situation. I'm actually not even a member of his church! This was the first time at his church in months! I was shocked! After other members of the church prophesied over me, "God is rejoicing over you" kept ringing in my mind! God rejoices over ME? Imperfect me? Overthinking me? Emotional me? Sinful me? WOW! I then realized that if God is pleased, proud and rejoices over me and I feel lost sometimes and afraid to mess up, imagine if I REALLY stepped into everything with confidence, authority and boldness that the creator is proud and rejoices over me! Imagine the woman I would become! Y'all better watch out! I thought I was a force to be reckoned with before, but wait until you see me after this settles in! I am solely here to do God's will/ live out my purpose! Now that I know I'm doing just that, WAAATTCCCHHHH OOOUUTTTTT! Do you know that God rejoices over YOU TOO? When you are seeking Him and living out your purpose, God celebrates you! Your creator is rooting for you, guiding you and sending reminders 24-7 to keep you on the right track! If you need prayer/support, please comment or email me! I'd love to check in with you! We are the King's kids! We are royalty! We can do anything! Blessings, Queen Shameka (: Verses: Gal 6:9 Nehemiah 8:10 Hey Kings & Queens,
Long time no blog right? I know. I'm back! I forgot how therapeutic writing is for me! I missed blogging, and God put it on my heart to write today so I refused to go to sleep before publishing this (: It has been 3 years since I quit my job and 2 years since I launched my nonprofit Youth With A Purpose and other things (my online clothing store, nonprofit consulting, speaking engagements, writing books, YouTube, etc.) Today I went to a meeting at Santa Monica beach with other amazing CEO's, huge funders and investors, and community leaders! It was beautiful! Definitely inspiring! But, guess what? In the middle of the key note speaker answering questions, 4 thoughts ran across my mind quickly. Here are the thoughts:
All of those negative and self limiting thoughts led me to feel like I was completely lost, didn't know what I was doing and needed to take a break from my nonprofit. *sigh* Yep, I said it! 3 years into this leap of faith journey and solely trusting God & I was finally at the point where I thought "maybe I should just work for someone else for a second, realize I hate working for other people, and miss running my own nonprofit full time and come back to it!" (weird right?) Of course today wasn't the only day where I LET self limiting thoughts live rent free in my mind! That's why it was building up. Today wasn't the first day, but it was the first day that I shifted my thoughts BACK TO GOD. God told me "Girl don't follow that voice! Those thoughts are leading you to the dark. I AM THE LIGHT! You are NEVER LOST! I have allllll of the plans, insight, funding, rest and E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G else you need!" The tiktok song started playing in my head "Hold Up! Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute! Tik Tok" (google it) I remembered that we think thoughts, God can give us thoughts, but the enemy can also put thoughts in our minds! God says to take every thought captive (to obey Christ) and cast down thoughts and imaginations (that exalted itself against the knowledge of God). God already told me He would always provide for me, the money will NEVER run out, people will alway listen to me because HE has given me favor with man, there's nothing that I cannot learn and He knows that I am not perfect and grace is sufficient for me! This literally cancels out every thought that I listed above! Isn't it so beautiful how we can renew our minds daily?! We don't have to KEEP the same faulty thinking that is not working for us anymore. We can change, redirect and cast thoughts down! This is a clear example of how I renewed my mind. I rejected those thoughts, came in agreement with God's truth about me, and was instantly renewed, strengthened, inspired, motivated, empowered and hopeful! I hope this blog is also inspiring and motivating to you! God loves you way too much to even let your own thoughts bully HIS child (meaning you!) You are a child of the most High God! You are royalty! You are a joint heir with Christ! Never let the enemy bully you and bombard you with LIES! Renew your mind daily! So no, I'm not lost. Neither are you. WE ARE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE. With Love, Shameka (: Verses of encouragement: Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 8:17. "I can't imagine working a 9-5 job for the rest of my life!" As the years went on after finishing college, I became stressed out! Like many of us that graduate college, the burden of planning every single detail of life crushes us, we need a 401K, to be married, have at least 1 kid, be settled into our perfect career, and this and that and this..... adulting right? NOPE! After working full time at the lowest paying job position in my career field (direct care staff in a residential facility) I kept having thoughts like "I got a degree in psychology to clean bathrooms? Cook for kids? I don't event cook for myself that often! I'm breaking up fights with kids? I'm playing taxi for these kids? I KNOW THIS CAN'T BE IT! GOD! JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO IN LIFE SO THAT I CAN DO IT!" Lol, how many of us have gotten to the point of "this can't be it!" ? Don't worry. That's normal. That's the process of becoming more self aware in our purpose & career. So, after praying "God, just tell me what you want me to do in life so that I can do it" I started having thoughts & desires to run my own business. I was offered every single position at my last job. Thoughts started to come like "if they offered me every position and they trust me to run their organization, maybe I can run my own?" or "I can be my own boss". God started putting the desires into my heart for what my true purpose was. I then started to become so frustrated at my job. I was angry with my management, with the kids, with coworkers and then I started becoming angry at myself & God. I was confused at why I was still there. Then BOOM! God gave me a dream and told me to start my own business!! I wasn't sure if that was God speaking or if the frustration from my last job was playing out in my dream lol. 4 days later after that dream, I was in the car with my dad on our way to church & I told him "I think God wants me to start a business. But, I have no idea what to do!" We went to church and a pastor that I didn't even know, called me to the front of the church! He said "can I pray for you?" I said "sure." Him: *pause for too long* "Um....did God tell you to start a business? You have a passion for working with youth right? You're not sure what to do? God will SHOW you what to do!....." Crazy right?! This man that I did not even know, confirmed everything that was in my dream. He told me about funding, the name, my past experience with youth, being in grad school, etc! Right after that, God told me the month and date to quit my job. Now that's scary right? QUIT MY JOB! WHAT? Lol. In order to follow purpose, we have to get rid of our way, our routine, and.....our job sometimes. Haha. So although I was scared to death, I knew that if God said it, provision would come! Like my dad said "If its God's will, its God's bill". PERIOD! I also knew/know that in life, we will experience fear when something is too big for us to do alone! If God has given you something to do in life (which He will!) it WILL BE BIGGER THAN YOU! DO IT AFRAID anyways! Seek His peace and boldness! He said "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid" because He knew that we would be afraid lol. It has been 1 full year since I quit my job and stepped into purpose! Glory to God! What does stepping into purpose look like? Come back for my next blog to find out (: To my sister (or brother) reading this, do not be afraid! You were created for such a time as THIS! Live on purpose! Own your space. Own your calling & your purpose! Go and be impactful! The world is waiting for YOU to show up! With Love, Shameka B. Verses of encouragement: Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 3:5-6
People have told me “Shameka you should start a blog”, “you should start a YouTube channel”, “you should make hair posts”, etc & like many of you who have been told things you should do also, I didn’t do it, lol........until NOW. Why now?
Not because I feel like starting a blog right now, although I do lol, but because I feel like I can ACTUALLY help people through my stories now. People have said before that my IG or Facebook posts have inspired them, but it is not until now that I actually feel confident embracing my “super power” which is to inspire, motivate, & encourage others. #IME Yes, I’m a mental health professional, yes I have an online store, yes I dance a little, yes I sing a little, yes, yes, AND yes, it all goes back to purpose. Which, I’ll talk about throughout most of my blogs (: Once I figured out what my purpose was, I then was able to show up authentically in every aspect of my life! You may be wondering “well, what is her purpose?” “How do I find my purpose?” “How do I live my best life?” Come back for my next blog posts for more tea on how I got to the place of living my purposed life. (Please comment & say what’s poppin in your life. I’d love to hear from you!) With Love Shameka B.
["My Purposed Life" merch available at https://teespring.com/stores/radiant-edge-2 ]
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