Synopsis
What is written in the Amazon #1 best seller, Nawww… I’m Not Ok!: Excuse Me While I Unmask is transparency, courage, and authenticity in journal form. The author takes us on a journey through the life experiences that caused her to mask herself in order to get by and get along. From molestation, bullying, promiscuity, mental health in ministry, and grief, Shalonda, leads the way in taking off the mask of past traumas, realizing lessons learned, and embodying wisdom gained along her path. This book was not written to be an amen to a person’s desire to live in the victim mentality, but to remind them that it is ok to admit to not being ok. It was written to give permission to take off one’s mask and choose to breathe again.
Which five words best describe Nawww… I’m Not Ok!: Excuse Me While I Unmask?
– Transparent
– Liberating
– Inspiring
– Conversational
– Transformative
Can you share one highlight from the book?
From Entry #5 – They Think They Know
” All I want is for people to stop trying to separate me into sections and just accept me as a whole person. When I hear people say, I want to get to know you outside of you being this or that, it disturbs my entire being because knowing me without that part is not knowing me at all. I mean I understand what they are trying to say in concept but what they do not realize is that it took me 30 years to put all of my pieces together and I’m tired of people trying to break it all apart. I was a child that didn’t really understand myself or why I was so different from others and though I did not know I did know things that others didn’t seem to know. I didn’t mean any harm because it was truly shot to me that others didn’t know or see things too.. I was so green to things. I believed that everyone in the world dreamed every single night and that everyone dreamed in color. I did not know that others didn’t get this extremely heavy burden on their hearts for people and that they couldn’t feel other people’s literal pain. I didn’t realize that it was a problem to know how to sing, write portraits and books, the intelligent, praise dance, and act All at the same time period then add to that preaching, teaching, counseling Kama motivating Kama being sincerely loving, building people and prophesying and oh my goodness, you are just doing too much! Simply put, Father, I want to be seen as who I am and not as people perceive me to be based on their site. Nawww… I’m not OK!”
What is the purpose of this book?
The purpose of this book is to serve as an example to others that they can be honest and take their own mask off. Healing the brokenness starts with the truth.
Are there themes that you find turn up again and again in your work? A common thread?
Absolutely. In ministry work the theme is love. In coaching/speaking work it’s building your self-worth and owning the treasures within oneself. All in all, I teach love as the foundation no matter what.
Which character or part of the book was the most fun to write? Which part was the hardest?
The most fun part was any part where I could use my silliness without it being offensive. I am a whole person and using humor is a part of me. Oh, and the poetry part at the beginning of each entry was fun. It allowed me to show up with multiple parts of myself.
The hardest part was the entry on the deaths of my fathers. I was supposed to release the book on my birthday, 7/11/2019, however, my biological father was dying so I had to put the release on hold until after. Well, he died on 7/14/2019. What a real way to say, “Nawww… I’m Not Ok”!
Can you tell us something that even your most loyal fans may not know about you?
I’m pretty transparent so I’m not sure. Lol. Wait… ok… I’m a low-key hoarder of books and other things that I have never read or used. I buy them because I like the look, but oftentimes I never use them.
I think it’s this: Stay tuned on every platform and subscribe to all of the mailing lists because so much is coming. God has charged me to use all of what I’ve been created with to do this work I’m called to. It’s going to be an amazing journey and I’m so grateful I get to share with you what I’ve shrunk back from for so long. Let’s go! Many Blessings.
Book Link: http://bit.ly/nawwwbook
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