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.
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Everyone Can’t Handle Your Truth

Shaun Bradford

This is so true. Everyone cannot handle our truths. It took me a very long time to realize this—basically, a lifetime. For years I believed people wanted to know the authentic version of me. I thought I could be free and open with people who seemed to like me. It took many heartbreaks and letdowns to learn that most people didn’t want to know the real me, they only wanted to interact with and know the version they could tolerate (not accept). This is why I only have a handful of close friends, and my closest get to experience all of me.

In one of my very first blog posts (June 2018) I wrote—

“It’s not easy being transparent in a world that glorifies what’s fake and shuns reality. Reality isn’t pretty. Reality shows vulnerability– the bumps, bruises and scars.”

This blog site, “It’s Shaun’s World,” was originally created to be a space where I could be authentic and transparent. I really wanted to share my world with others. However, over the years I learned to tone it down and only release bits and pieces of me in small doses. Not everyone likes happiness. Some don’t like quirkiness. And many don’t like when people share their vulnerabilities with the world. Those are things I guess are supposed be kept private or only shared with friends or a therapist. I believed people wanted to know the human side of people—because that’s what I want to get to know, the real—when in reality they only want a character.

Anyhoo… I could go on and on. Here’s what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: August 16, 2022

“Being transparent has its limits. Our lives were never meant to be an open book for all to read. Knowing when, what and with whom to share is vital. Everyone can’t handle your truth.♥️”

Yes, unlike in 2018, I now know this is true. Everyone can’t handle my truth—which is the reason I sometimes write posts that I never share—even when they’re my true experiences. Not everyone would or could understand, and that’s okay.

Well, that’s my truth for now. I pray you have a lovely Friday and beautifully, blessed weekend. Love you!♥️

Shaun

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Wide Awake

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, why am I wide awake like it’s 8:00 in the morning and not around 1:00 AM. Shaking my head. I had basically written a whole book about my Bell Biv Devoe experience only to decide not to share it. Believe me, it wasn’t anything juicy, just more than I needed to share. Anyhoo, I’ll share the Facebook memory that prompted it.

Facebook Memory: August 16, 2014

When I say I was devastated! I must have made that post after midnight because I said they had already performed that night. Well, they actually performed later on that day. The video I saw on the website was an advertisement.

As I said in the post, I had never won anything before winning those tickets. I always refer to them as a gift from God. For years I had wanted BBD or New Edition to perform at one of my birthday parties and the day before my 41st birthday I won tickets to the Jackson R&B Festival. Y’all, I didn’t even know who was performing until after I won the tickets. So, BBD being included in the lineup was the best surprise. Although I had to wait almost two months before I got to see them, it was so worth the wait. Great memory!

Well, good night. I’m finally sleepy.♥️

Shaun

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Stop And Breathe

Shaun Bradford

Not only did I have to remind myself to stop and breathe yesterday, but I had to do it just now. As I said in the memory below, the world is not going to fall apart while I take a few moments for myself. I’ll get back to everything in a few.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: August 15, 2022

“Sometimes you have to stop and rest. Believe me, the world is not going to fall apart because you decide to take a moment for yourself. Remember, you cannot serve or give if you’re depleted.🪫”

This was the picture I used with the caption. Hmmm… wondering if I should go back short and add a little color. We shall see.😊
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God Is The Joy And The Strength Of My Life

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

Facebook Memory: August 15, 2022

“I can hear James Cleveland’s choir singing:

‘God is the joy and the strength of my life. He removes all pain, misery and strife. He promised to keep me. Never to leave me. He’ll never ever fall short of His word… God is my all and all.’ Amen”

Yes, God is my all and all. Praying you have a blessed day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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Facebook Memories

Shaun Bradford

One of the reasons I check my Facebook memories daily is because I get to see past interactions from loved ones who have passed on. Reading their comments or just seeing their names pop up on the screen makes me feel like they’re still here. They’re just far away. This is also why I don’t delete all of my text messages or voicemails (I always hold on to 2-3). When I need to hear their voices or read their last words, I can. So blessed to have had them in my life.♥️ ~Shaun

My momma is still with me.🥰 And…great quote!😁 I try my best to live by this.
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Guard Your Heart, Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Hello! I am still thinking about my previous post. Even though we should place our hearts in God’s hands, we must also do as instructed—guard our hearts. Y’all, guarding our hearts isn’t something we should do passively. It’s something that we must do actively and strategically. It’s on us to actively monitor what we allow in and what we allow to be taken. It’s up to us to say, “Nah, I won’t allow that in my space.” Not just physical space but headspace. Or say, “I allowed it in but I won’t allow it to take my… joy, peace, or love (feel free to add whatever you like) with it when it leaves.”

Actively guard your heart.

♥️

Our hearts are the source of life, encompassing love, peace, joy, happiness, kindness, compassion, empathy, passion, and even our dreams. We must, at all costs, protect it.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

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Guard Your Heart

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! Six years ago, I wrote, “When the heart hurts, life seems to stop.” Not sure why I felt this so deeply. Again, when the heart hurts, life seems to stop. You continue to move forward but something inside of you stops flourishing. Yeah…that’s deep.

Proverbs 4:23 says— “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Everything we do flows from our hearts.

A few days ago, I wrote, “Protect your heart but let love in.” Although difficult, I believe it’s possible to do both when we place our hearts in God’s hands. Of course heartbreak will hurt, and life in some capacity will stop flourishing, but God has a way of soothing us until we heal and begin to flourish again. I truly believe this. We must believe this or life will stop.

Here’s the entire post from six years ago.

Facebook Memory: August 14, 2018

“Guard your heart. When the heart hurts, life seems to stop. I’ve found the best way to guard your heart is to put it in God’s hands. Disappointments will come; however, God has a way of making everything better. His love is so soothing. That’s why I love my God.

The entire scripture reads, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”- NIV”

Photo Credit: Unknown

Remember, everything we do flows from our heart—both good and bad, whether intentional or not. Guard your heart.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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Wait

Shaun Bradford
Trust God’s timing.

Wait.

That’s the answer.

Be still and wait.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable.

Yes, you feel like you’re stagnant.

Yes, it seems like you could and should be doing more.

Yet, the answer is “Wait.”

So, wait.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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Where’s Your Mind These Days? Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Hello, again! Here’s the polished version of the Facebook post I shared six years ago (see previous post, “Where’s Your Mind These Days”).

Facebook Memory: August 13, 2022

“Whatever OR whoever controls your thoughts controls you. Don’t believe me? Watch your actions. Whether noticeable to others or not, your actions will always tell the truth.♥️”

Whew, now that’s some truth! In my earlier post I asked, “Where’s your mind nowadays?”

Well… Where is it?

Is it where it was ten years ago? How about a year ago?

Change your mindset and your life will change.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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Where’s Your Mind These Days?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

Honestly, I don’t have much more to add to what I wrote six years ago. All I can say is it’s true, your life will follow whatever dominates or preoccupies your mind. Change your mindset and your life will change.

Sooo…

Where’s your mind nowadays?

Definitely something worth assessing, right?

I shiver at the thought of waking up six years from now and being in the same place or headspace.

Don’t you?

♥️

Shaun