Tag: transparency

hope

Shaun’s World

Shaun Bradford

“Shaun’s World” was the original name of my blog. I’m not sure when I changed it to “It’s Shaun’s World.” A couple of days ago, I celebrated my 7th Anniversary of blogging. I hadn’t realized I had been blogging for so long.

On June 11, 2018, I wrote the following in my journal—

“I launched my birthday blog early. I was bored and had things to share. It’s called “Shaun’s World.” It’s me and all of my quirkiness. I needed this outlet. I’ll see how long I can keep this up.”

I started this blog to commemorate my 45th birthday, but as I mentioned, I launched it early. I needed an outlet besides Twitter and Facebook to express myself without being completely judged. Thank you for allowing me this space.

Here’s what I shared in my first post on June 9/10, 2018 (there are two different dates on the post).

Welcome to Shaun’s World, Again! Lol

Ha! I had published this same blog on my old site. That site is being deactivated. So follow me on this site. My new site.

Welcome to the world of random thoughts, inside jokes and carefree writing. Yes, it’s Shaun’s World!

This site isn’t meant to be stuffy or too serious because all of that is pretty boring. It takes too much thought and time to create those sites (been there, done that) when all I want to do is share.

So, be warned, grammatical errors will happen; corny jokes will be told; heartfelt and meaningless stories will be shared and life will go on.

Again, welcome to Shaun’s World!

Muah!
#Year45

Again, thank you for allowing me this space to freely express myself and be ME. I truly appreciate YOU!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

My Strength vs God’s Strength

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope and pray you’re doing well.🌸

Philippians 4:12–13

12. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The song I’m hearing as I write is Whitney Houston’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” The song says—

I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to, I
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength

I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength…

Lyrics: LyricFind

You know how sometimes you need a release and don’t know you need one. Well, I guess that time is now because the tears are flowing. I have no idea where they’re coming from. At this moment, I’m exhaling and leaning on God’s strength. I’ve been leaning on my strength for much too long and I’m tired. It’s funny because I hadn’t realized that I was doing it. I thought I was relying on God’s strength, but for a while it’s been mine. Today, I’m letting go. I’m releasing everything into God’s hands. Amen

Whose strength are you relying on? Yours or God’s?

I pray it’s God’s. Rest in Him and let Him be your strength.

I pray you have an exceptionally blessed day. May God grant you peace, love, and joy.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Stronger And Braver?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Three years ago, I wrote that the complexities and experiences of life and love made us stronger and braver and were worth experiencing.

Question—

Have the complexities and experiences of life and love, particularly love, made you stronger and braver?

My answer…

“Yes” on the strength part. The complexities and experiences of life and love have made me stronger. However, “No” on the bravery part. Well, only in the case of love. My experiences with love and its shenanigans have always made me retreat. I have yet to become brave in this area; however, I am working on it. One day I’ll be a love warrior-Queen! Smile

Anyhoo… On a softer, less complex note.

Last year, I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my dreams being revived. I wrote about how an invitation to a culinary experience had changed my life ten years earlier (May 2014). I said it had awakened childhood dreams I had buried in my early 20s. Well, at 51, those dreams are still alive, and this time, despite the “complexities” of life—because life is going to keep lifeing—I plan to keep them alive. Just call me the warrior-Queen and protector of my dreams!

That’s all I have for you now. I do want to know your thoughts on the question above. Are you stronger and/or braver because of your experiences?

I pray you have a fabulous day. You deserve it!♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

hope

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

Shaun Bradford

As Arsenio Hall used to say, “Things that make you go ‘Hmmm’.”

Notice the time?

Found this amongst my handy-dandy saved photos. It seems like my photos are creating their own stories nowadays.🙃 As you can see, love was on my mind at 1:48 AM. Really?! Y’all, I’m cracking up. Seriously… at one o’clock in the morning, I was writing the word “Love.” The sun is cute, though. Why am I hearing, “Sunny days, everybody loves them? Tell me, baby, can you stand the rain?” I guess that’s the adult version of “Sunny Days.” See previous post.

On a serious note, though. I truly love life, even the craziness of it all—which wasn’t always the case. I believe me having a near death experience changed everything. You see, several years ago, I had a car accident not even 30 minutes after thinking I no longer wanted to be here. Yeah… I was so done with life that I wanted to be gone. It was only a thought. Then, the accident happened. Since then, I cherish life and everything that comes with it. Bad times happen. The hurts and disappointments haven’t stopped, but I’m still here! I’m still here! I would have missed out on soooo much had I not lived. Y’all, I’m still here!

Think I’ll end now. I’m not sure if I’ll share a mid-morning post or if this will be it. If I don’t, I’ll talk to you this afternoon.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Since I mentioned sunny days, here’s “Can You Stand The Rain” by my all time favorite male RnB group, New Edition (#NE4Life!!).

“Can You Stand The Rain?” by New Edition

hope

My Journey With God, No. 78

Shaun Bradford

For the past two days I have been seeing and hearing the message—“Be still.”

Honestly, I didn’t think that I was moving at all. I’ve been feeling like I haven’t been moving or doing enough. You know how you get the feeling that you should be further along than you are, the feeling of being behind? Well, that’s exactly what I’ve been feeling lately.

A few minutes ago, I revisited my Facebook memories and found the same message tucked away within another message. Earlier, I only noticed “Finding Balance.” However, this time, I noticed the hashtag “Be Still.”

Being obedient.

I’m listening, God.🙏🏽

Shaun

hope

Treasure Your Gifts

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Treasure your gifts. Not gifts, as in talents, but the gifts—the people—God has placed in your life. They are irreplaceable and one of a kind. Whether for a season or a lifetime, God placed them in your life for a specific purpose that only they can fulfill. Never take them for granted. Life is much too short and precious not to treasure them.

As I mentioned last night, I was with my two hearts (daughter, 30, and son, 21). Words can’t even begin to describe the way I feel about them. As a child, I always longed to feel loved unconditionally and accepted for me. One of the things we talked about last night was me always dancing to the beat of my own drum. I never quite fit in, even when it came to my own family. I thought and moved differently. Not so differently that I didn’t blend in, but different enough to know I didn’t fit. Well, here I am 30 years later with two adult children, and I finally feel the love and acceptance I longed for. They’re not cookie cutters of me. As we often joke, we couldn’t be more different, but we’re so much alike. All three of us dance to our own beat, and we don’t judge. We embrace each other’s uniqueness.

Y’all, they are my gifts.🥰🥰

This was taken in January during my daughter’s 30th birthday weekend.

On another note—I know I never mentioned anything else about celebrating the 30–year breakthrough or rebirth I was experiencing leading up to my daughter’s birthday. I intentionally stopped celebrating when I noticed she had made her celebration mine. I explained to her that I had already lived and celebrated my 30th; the weekend and occasion were all hers. And we celebrated her! Yes, her birthday felt like a great release for me. I finally felt free to release myself from being a mother, provider, and caregiver to being me—a woman taking care of me.🦋

I pray you are treasuring your gifts. Also remember this too—something that took me far too long to realize—YOU are also a gift. Yes…YOU!

Have a beautifully, blessed day.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 74

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, the struggle is real!

Do I choose what I want now?

Or…

Do I choose what I want most?

Will my choice make my 100-year-old self proud or look back with regrets?

Again, the struggle is real.

Life is real.

Only time will tell which I chose.

Shaun♥️

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

The last few months have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. However, these last two weeks have really done a number on me! Just being honest and transparent. Imagine spending your entire life picturing a future world where kindness, peace, love, inclusion, equity, and goodwill towards all humanity was the norm to… whatever this is. Y’all, I don’t even know what to call it. It’s like going from envisioning somewhat of a utopian world—if you know me, then you know I wanted the world singing in “perfect harmony” (smile)—to seeing a dystopian society being created right before my eyes.

This isn’t a movie. It’s real. So very real. Those hurting aren’t fictional characters. They are real people. Real people (not only “DEI” hires) are losing or in fear of losing their jobs. Real people—not only criminals but children and mothers—are being detained and deported without an ounce of empathy. Marginalized people who have spent their lives overcoming discrimination are being treated like they’re “second–class citizens.” Whew! Talk about triggering!! Then, to make matters even worse, access to vital information is being denied and/or erased. Again, this isn’t a movie, “fake news,” or “woke news.” This is actually happening!

I digress… (long sigh)

I know for my own sanity, I must let go of things I cannot change… at the moment. I know that I can’t help others if I’m not physically, mentally, or emotionally strong enough and prepared to do so. But y’all, I am so serious right now, my heart is breaking.💔

I found this among inspirational messages I have saved. A much needed word for today.🙏🏽

Thanks for allowing me to share. I know God’s in control. I pray you have a wonderful Sunday.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

**Very random, but the sun is rising, and I would love to hear a rooster crow. I miss my grands and childhood summers.

hope

Good Morning

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

How is everything going?

How have you been feeling lately?

Me? I’m so glad you asked.☺️

So, my new year started off on a high note. However, it went downhill soon after—like the next day—when I began thinking about my personal life. I thought about how I chose to be a mom first and built my life around my two—no disrespect to my babies because I would do it all again if I had to. It’s true.

Side note: If you don’t already know, I love being a mom. Y’all, I love everything about motherhood—the good and bad. Believe me, my adult children were regular kids like every other kid. They tested their boundaries and my patience, but I never once regretted having them. They were and truly are my blessings.

Anyhoo… Reality hit me hard a couple of days ago. I’m talking hard! For a minute, I felt completely lost and alone. Y’all, I am single—like, single, single—grown kids, no man single—and I’m 51.

That’s when I knew I needed a change of scenery to clear my mind, so I hit the road. I wasn’t about to sit and wallow in my thoughts of what I didn’t or don’t have. Yes, I am 51, but I refuse to believe my best days are behind me. That I missed out on God’s plans for my personal life because I chose to make my babies a priority.

This morning I came across a Facebook memory from a few years ago and was reminded that everything that happened in my life, happened the way and in the order that God planned. I may not understand it, but I accept it. I accept it, and I’m letting it go. I must let it go. I know God’s got me.

Well, that’s how I’ve been feeling lately. How about you?😅

Don’t forget, today is Self-Love Saturday! Remember to treat yourself a little extra special today.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 47

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

God is moving. He’s moving in a way I don’t always understand, but He’s moving.

I was reading a journal entry from this date a few years ago and found an excerpt attached from January 3, 2015. This basically sums up what I struggle with at times—both needing encouragement and motivation and people not thinking I do.

Momma J is my bonus mom and my Aunt Deloris was my mom’s aunt (I miss her so much).

It just baffles me how people think I don’t have the same needs as everyone else. Like I’m some kind of superhuman or something. As I mentioned back then, I do and handle things like I do because I have to, not always out of choice. But they were both right, it’s made me who I am today. Not sure if that’s always a good thing though.

Anyhoo…

As I said, God is moving. It’s so ironic that I am seeing this today. Yesterday, I revived something (yeah…learning not to over share) I began in 2022. Seeing the snippet of those two conversations confirms I’m moving in the right direction.

Y’all, I’m so grateful and thankful for God’s love. I am truly blessed.🥰

This is all for now. I’m looking forward to spending time with my bonus mom today. She already has a lot planned (tasks) for us to do.🤦🏽‍♀️☺️ I pray you have a wonderful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun