Remain faithful and grateful and God will give you the desires of your heart.♥️ ~ Shaun
Remain Faithful & Grateful
Author: Shaun Bradford
My life is full of adventures— good and bad, and I’m living in every moment. Can’t help but be present.
It’s Yours, Make It Happen
The stage is set. Now, it’s up to you to make it happen. Do not miss this opportunity. It’s already yours!♥️ ~ Shaun
This was one of the first graphics I created to share on social media. I remember being hesitant to put my brand on it. I kept thinking about what others would think. Would they think I was trying to emulate someone else? I shared it on Facebook, but refused to share it on Twitter. On Facebook, I was mostly among family and friends. I felt it was a pretty safe space for sharing new ideas. However, Twitter… Twitter was a different beast. You do not post anything on Twitter and not expect criticism. It took me forever to share my blogs on my platforms, and they are MY platforms.
Anyhoo… Now I share whatever I please, and I am not afraid to promote my brand. I am finally living within my authenticity in all spaces. I am who God created me to be, and it feels so good and freeing to finally be me.
Side Note: It always amazes me how God has me leave nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for my future self. Nuggets that are always relevant for when they are needed. Forever grateful. I’m blessed.
It’s On Me
Just finished streaming this morning’s service at The Potter’s House. Today’s message, “It’s On You,” was delivered by Pastor John F. Hannah. Usually when I’m traveling, I only get to hear bits and pieces of the sermons. However, TODAY, I got to hear the entire message. When I tell y’all it was JUST FOR ME!!
LISTEN!!!
This morning I shared an excerpt from March 26, 2015’s journal entry. But that was only one part. You see, the beginning of that entry referenced me being elected President Elect for our state’s dietetics association. I was newly elected and so hyped about the position and its possibilities. Then… life happened. Whew!! When I tell you my entire personal life had flipped upside down! Y’all, that divorce process was no joke. I was seeing so much success in my professional life – promotions, opportunities, and experiences. However, my personal life was an entire mess. Eventually, my attempt to balance both, failed. One had to give and it was the position. Instead of giving it my best, I could only meet my obligations, nothing more. To this day they still say I was a great president, but I know I could have been better. I could have accomplished a lot more and handle some things differently.
On March 25, 2015, I had just returned home from attending that year’s annual Dietetics conference ready to take on the world. Well, here I am eight years later about to attend this year’s conference. Although I have attended several conferences in between, this one feels different. Maybe it’s because I’m different. For years I beat myself up over not giving my all to the positions (elect and presidency). One thing COVID and these last two years have taught me is to release myself from things that didn’t go as planned. That they went exactly as planned according to God’s plan.
Today, Pastor Hannah reminded me that it’s my time to BODLY embrace everything God has for me to do; and to do it UNAPOLOGETICALLY. No more running. No more hiding. No more being timid. It’s on me to take all that’s mine. My purpose is too great not to.
Thanks for listening to my rambling. Needed to get it out.
Take Care,
Shaun
Hello Sunday
Today I have decided not to focus on what is going on around me. Instead, I am focusing on good memories and positive experiences. Yes, today I am blocking all negative vibes.
Here is an excerpt from a journal entry that was written the day my ex-husband finally moved out of the house. I guess you can say that was the official beginning of the 4+ years of the separation/divorce process. Seems like an entire weight was lifted off our family that day. Yes… that was a good day, a very good day.
Journal Entry: March 26, 2015
“One last thing. Ki and KeShawn got my back if no one else does. Ki keeps me encouraged. It’s nice to have someone to bounce professional goals off of especially when we both have so many. Just talking to her makes me want to do more. Last night when I got in, KeShawn said I woke him up out of a good dream. He said that he was at a restaurant eating coconut shrimp, crabmeat sautéed in butter, lobster, and rice surrounded with eggs and bacon on top. He said he had a tuxedo on and me and Ki had on long pretty dresses. I told him that that sounded great. I want him to dream. I want them to dream. I’m so happy my dreams are in full force again. This time I won’t let them go. I can’t let them go. I saw one more post last night by Joel Osteen- “It’s not over. You’ve got to get in agreement with God. Start dreaming again. Start expecting again.” Hallelujah!!”
Can’t believe that was eight years ago. Forever grateful I am on the other side of that craziness! At times I did not think I would make it, but I did. God is so good.
Well, that’s all I have for y’all today. It just started raining and I need to get ready to get on the road. I’m going to see my mom today. She’s back in ICU. We (myself and my sisters) did get to video chat with her last night before she was transferred. I can’t wait to see her and love on her a little more.♥️
Also, I am heading to see my dad afterwards. I have an event to attend tomorrow afternoon and his house is at the halfway mark between my home and the event’s location. So I get to love on him and my stepmom this evening.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Also, thank y’all sooo much for your kind words and prayers. I really do appreciate you. Please have a wonderful day and enjoy your week!🙏🏽♥️
Shaun
No Words
When your heart is heavy and you cannot find words to express your feelings, what do you do?
Last night, a tornado destroyed a small town outside of where I was born. I was on the phone with my dad as the tornado sirens were going off. Minor damage was done to our town; however, the little town of Silver City – mostly rural, population around 200 – is basically gone.
Y’all, I watched it all play out on Facebook. People were begging for help. So many families were trapped under debris. Some couldn’t find family members. One young lady posted that her dad was running out of oxygen. Talk about devastating!
The saddest part is there aren’t any medical facilities nearby. Several years ago, the local hospital closed leaving the rural communities in that area without access to medical care and emergency services. Then, last year one of the largest hospitals in that area closed. Last night local nurses, first responders (significantly understaffed) and community members pooled resources together to provide assistance.
This morning, I am praying for everyone in pain– physically and/or mentally. Lord, we need Your help.🙏🏽
Shaun
Momma, You Are Loved
Today’s blog is dedicated to my momma. She was admitted to the hospital again last night. I believe this is her third time this month. It’s really a lot.
Yesterday I video chatted with her around 5:30 PM. She was admitted around 11:30 PM.
About 30 minutes before my sister called, I shared a post by Iyanla Vanzant about grief. Seems like I have been grieving for a while now. Some days are just better than others.
I love my mom. We all do. I also believe she finally knows without a doubt that she is loved.♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 