Instagram/@iamshaunie
Success, ambition, and Shaunie Henderson are not the traditional trio, she is one of those rare personalities who manages to speak out the contrary and even lead through them. Her lifestyle embodies the way of thinking behind defying the mainstream meanings of ambition and success in the first place. In the recent past, she has come up with a radical personal thought that mentions her interpreting ambition as taking time off and living in the moment rather than being always on the go looking for the next task. The statement of her spouse, “I’m not next, I’m now,” has been the foundation of her completely new perspective on success and personal fulfillment.
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It is hard to believe that Shaunie Henderson among the fast world would ever be the first to preach this. She has always been the last person in the fast-paced modern world to evangelize this. In an Instagram post, the ‘Basketball Wives’ creator shared how over the years she has been getting more and more enlightened about the issue of ambition.
“Many people assume that when someone is described as ambitious, they are very active and always in the race. That they are constantly doing and getting more and more and I have gone through that too, I feel you. But for me, the definition of ambition at this point is detaching oneself from the situation and re-assessing it first, taking my time and not letting anyone else rush me.”
The realization came unexpectedly from a simple yet deep saying from her life partner. “My husband has this quote whereby he says, I’m not next, I’m now,” she told while adding “and I think that’s just the way my mind works most of the time. I am in the now, I am a fan of living in the present.”
To clarify and elucidate this point further, Henderson wrote her personal reflection in her Instagram post, “I have come to understand this won’t be the same for everyone. Some people consider it running to secure the next big thing and constantly traveling. But let me tell my husband story. One day he said to me, ‘I’m not next, I’m now.’ That really hit me.”
Then she continued her thoughtful and generous confession about her own development. “Because now I see ambition as not being in a hurry to get to the next milestone. It is about the moment. Slowing down. Taking my time. Breathing. I have been in the place of constant hustling. I have done it all. And one thing I have learned is that sometimes the most ambitious thing you can do is just to be.”
Her public reception was an immediate and very understanding one. A considerable number of people found her perspective particularly touching considering the person who was always seen as the ceiling of ambition and success.
One commentator expressed his thanks for her new and fresh viewpoint and almost ironically remarked that “you can’t kill the beast” unless you feed it first. “We live in a sick society where we would accept such a view only from a person who is otherwise considered to be ambitious. The very things that we would consider ambitious would actually trap one in the hustle culture very easily which is already so harmful to us as a whole. This viewpoint is really less challenging, more suitable and healthier. Thanks a lot.”
“So Simple but so profound” was another user’s response expressing their concrete implementation of the same principle in their life in just four words: “Enjoy the moment” declaring “right now inhaling the beauty of the fall season. It moves fast. I was outside yesterday to catch the chilly wind and see the changes in leaf color. Pumpkins all around. The saying your now means you are important in the mind and heart of God every moment.”
Many of those who commented were in full agreement with Henderson that one has to live intentionally. “Life with intention and knowing when to stop,” was how one defined their ambition while another said, “For me, ambition means taking the time to enjoy the journey, trusting the process as well as preparing myself behind the scenes so that when God opens the door, I can walk through it!”
The conversation got empowering when one introverted user broke their shell of introversion and insecurity by saying, “To me ‘ambition’ means being able to say—without apology and even loud—that I want which cost me so much courage to do so.”
The impact of Henderson’s message was, without a doubt, one of the main factors that helped people to realize that they are the ones who lose in the battle between productivity and success. Her valour to challenge the conventional discourse around ambition was a source of encouragement for those who want to lead a life with more balance between personal and professional areas.
Henderson, the reality TV producer of the ‘Basketball Wives’ franchise, which took off her marriage to Christian Henderson in 2022, has been more and more open about her personal growth and changing priorities. Her recent heartfelt motherhood message and her evolving perspective on life highlight this journey. Hence, her slogan of presence over productivity couldn’t have been more timely when the world is questioning the sustainability and necessity of the constant hustle.
Sharing her husband’s simple yet profound saying and her own journey to being present, Henderson sparked what is now an essential conversation about defining success on our own terms. Her viewpoint serves as a gentle reminder that sometimes the most radical thing we can do is simply to be instead of perpetually striving to be somewhere else. She often keeps it cute and casual in her social media presence, further emphasizing her relaxed approach to life.
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The strongly positive feedback on the post was a clear indication that many have already made up their minds to accept this as their more difficult alternative though rewarding and positive aspect of ambition—the one that equally values presence and progress, where the current moment is as significant as the future milestone, and where the only thing that takes courage is being and that is the ultimate celebration. This aligns with her previous message urging followers to prioritize self-love.
