Category: Life

Life

The Ultimate Confirmation

Shaun Bradford

Whew!!! These past few weeks have been very interesting. There has been this struggle between remaining comfortable and leaving this cozy space of mine. Some days I feel bold and empowered, while others I just want to leave my ambitions and dreams for the next generation to achieve, or for another lifetime. Then, one small thing will happen, a comment, an ask, a show of appreciation or love, or that still small voice, that lets me know that I have so much more to do. That I am not meant to settle here. And THIS particular Facebook memory I am sharing is the ultimate of confirmations.

When I tell you God’s timing is impeccable! Y’all, He is so strategic!

Facebook Memory: May 7, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. It confirms what God has been telling me- I need to let go of my comfort zone and start fulfilling His purpose. Story time. I’ll try to make it short.😁

On this exact date, five years ago [May 7, 2014], something awaken in me that I haven’t been able to shake. It was the day that I knew I was destined for more. That God had a purpose for my life. I know all of this sounds crazy. That’s why I keep “receipts.” Lol! So a friend invited me to a two day media training in New Orleans where Chef John Folse was the host and Teri Goudie, famous media trainer, was the coach. That trip was miraculous. It awaken all kinds of dreams that I had put to rest because I thought my time had passed. Those dreams were for the Shaun who hadn’t made any mistakes. Those dreams were for teenage Shaun. They weren’t for the grown, well seasoned Shaun. So I thought.

Two years later [May 7, 2016], I was introduced to Cheryl Wood! By that time I had become the president of our state’s Dietetics association, and I was still trying to recover from my marriage ending. I was a mess! It was the worst time to be president. However, Cheryl’s encouraging messages helped me make it through. She would always post things like, “You belong there,” “No one has your unique fingerprint,” and “Your story isn’t for you, but for someone else.” All confirmed what Teri Goudie had instilled in me two years earlier. The only problem was, I did not want to be noticed, not even as president.

So here we are five years later! WHEW!!! It really doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. I’ve been to three of Cheryl’s presentations, actually had a conversation with her (that’s a powerful story for another day), and attended a year-long, virtual speakers boot camp. I think it’s time for me to come out of this shell! I love being behind the scenes. I’m so comfortable helping others pursue their dreams. I’m that cheerleader, that hype girl!😁 Now it’s time for me to shine. I have work to do! Amen

HA! I shared this five years ago, and that self-sabotage I always refer to, happened over and over again. I allowed my feelings of unworthiness, not being enough, fears of failure and fears of success, stop me from being totally committed to the dream, promise, and purpose. As I promised myself almost a year ago, this side of 50 would be different because I was going to intentionally make it different. Which has meant pushing beyond my feelings and the desire to remain comfortable and coast through the rest of my life. I’m laughing because no matter how many times I have tried to settle, God has said, “Not so!” Y’all, He won’t let me.

Tomorrow, I will explain why today was so significant. Just needed to document this moment, today. It’s a moment I didn’t even realize was happening. This is ten years later…

This is the other side of 50!♥️

Shaun

Life

More Than A Conqueror

Shaun Bradford

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 NKJV

The song, “More Than A Conqueror,” by Hezekiah Walker says:

The fight is fixed
I know, I’ll win
I won’t give in
Cause I’m more than a conqueror

My walk is strong
My faith is long
I can’t, can’t go wrong
Cause I’m more than a conqueror

Despite of it all, I am more than a conqueror. And so are YOU!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Are You All In?

Shaun Bradford

Listen, I couldn’t help but smile when I came across one of today’s Facebook memories (included at the end). My only response when I shared the post seven years ago was, “I’m ALL IN!”

Thinking back, I thought being committed to the process would be a cakewalk. That being “ALL IN” meant it was only up from there. It’s funny how I did not account for the unpredictability of life. Nah… when I said I was all in, I just knew I would conquer every obstacle successfully the first time. Laughing because I had no idea of the roller coaster ride that was ahead. No idea that I would go through some of the same experiences (different situations with different people) multiple times before I could actually move forward. I didn’t know that I would self-sabotage opportunities or be used or abandoned by people who I thought had my back. Nah… you see, when I declared I was “all in,” I was at a point in my life where life was good. I was finally coming out of the trenches, and I could only see up from there. And up is where life has gone, but not without a few bumps, hiccups, and lessons along the way.

So, here is what I have learned over the past seven years. Being fully committed is a process. It’s a decision I make daily. No lie. Y’all, there are so many mornings when I wake up motivated and pumped, then by noon I want to throw in the towel because this commitment thing too hard. Listen, when I tell you God loves me! It’s God’s love, patience, presence and guidance that keeps me going. He always sends me just what I need in those moments that give me the strength and confidence to press forward.

Here is something else I have learned. The product of commitment is not for display. It’s not something to take pictures of and post for others to see. No, this commitment is sacred. It’s between myself and God. It’s a space that no one else has access to. Unlike back then, and even up until a year or so ago, I felt the need to show people what God was doing behind the scenes. I thought it was more important for me to show/share what God was doing than to let it happen authentically. I did it to be transparent. I was so big on transparency. Little did I know, my transparency was limiting my experiences with God. I was so focused on sharing the process and my testimonies that I couldn’t fully comprehend or embrace what I was experiencing. Whew! When I tell you I am loving this space I’m in! I am finally in a space where only God and I reside—a space that is exclusively for two. No guests allowed.

Growth!

Anyway, I believe I have written enough. I may or may not delete a few things. However, I believe leaving it as written is probably the most authentic. So, I’ll keep it all. See how easy that decision was. Smile

Here’s the Facebook memory I have been referring to—“Are You All In?” by Bishop T. D. Jakes.

Facebook Memory: May 5, 2017

My answer is still the same—Yes, I’m all in!

Praying you have a peaceful Sunday. Love you!♥️

Shaun