Category: Life

Life

Never Settle for Less Part 2: Discipline

Shaun Bradford

Found this gem this morning while searching X (Twitter) for the post I shared earlier. Thought it would be a great follow up post.

Discipline.

Are you disciplined enough to wait?

Here’s what I shared two years ago:

I’m not going to lie. Some days I am not sure if I am disciplined enough to wait. These past two years have really tested my tenacity. I know I cannot go back to what was. I refuse to do that. Don’t even have a desire to. However, I feel like I am in a boat paddling but getting nowhere; and honestly, I am tired.

A friend just sent me a job offer, but it’s not what I want to do. Of course I could accept it, but I know I wouldn’t stay. Then there’s this contract I am waiting to start. It’s one that I am really looking forward to because it is aligned with everything I want to do, but it keeps getting pushed back.

Am I disciplined enough to wait for what I want most?

Only God knows; however, at this moment, I refuse to settle. Until God says to do otherwise, I am going to be still and trust His timing. The contract has already been approved. All I have to do is be patient and wait. Y’all pray for me because if it’s pushed back again I don’t know what I’m going to do.🙏🏽

Shaun

Life

Never Settle For Less

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: November 14, 2022

Have you ever settled because you were too anxious to wait? OR…because you believed that what you were offered was the best you could get? You know– “You better take what you can get.”

Nah! NEVER settle for less than what you desire. Believe me, you’re worth it and more!♥️

Don’t do it!

On another note…

TODAY IS MY BESTIES’ 50TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

Y’all, we have been friends since we were toddlers (2-3 years old). We also share the same name (Shaun & Shawn). How wild is that, especially since I was born in Mississippi and she was born in Chicago. Our mothers were never friends. We met through our grandparents who were neighbors. Most of our lives we lived in different places. I was always between Mississippi and Kansas and she was everywhere—Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Mississippi. Although we rarely saw each other outside of summer vacations, we kept in touch through letters. I am so grateful and blessed to have her in my life.

Divine connection. This is our Year50!!!
Life

A Word!

Shaun Bradford

Agreed!! Stop looking for more signs, affirmations and confirmations. Either you trust and believe God’s word or not.

Now, sit still and let Him work. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello! I’m Praying for You

Shaun Bradford

This morning I am sending up prayers for every single soul on this planet. Yes… Every. Single. Soul. Y’all, I wonder what would happen if we prayed for souls instead of people. In my opinion, praying for people in general can be a bit complicated because we tend to see faces when we pray. I believe this leads to biases and causes us to alter our prayers, or even skip a few people. However, when we pray for souls we are less likely to tailor our prayers. Just a thought.

Yes, YOU!

On the subject of prayer…

This morning, I came across a random name I had written in a journal entry on this date. It was the name of a young man I did not know. However, I wrote in my journal that I had to remember him and his name. He had passed away from AIDS-induced pneumonia. From what I had written, I had been following his story for a few weeks. Y’all, I looked him up after I read that entry and still have no idea who he was, but I had been praying for him. I won’t mention his name; however, as promised, I am remembering him today, as well as praying for his family and friends.

Y’all, prayer doesn’t cost a thing. Nothing. Let’s keep every single soul uplifted in prayer.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Food For Thought

Shaun Bradford

Although this message is from several years ago, it is so relevant today. As Bishop T. D. Jakes has said numerous times, “Those who left couldn’t stay, and those who stayed couldn’t leave.” True value is found in those who stayed.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I believe I will make the following Facebook memory my screensaver. I am finishing up two papers that are due by the end of the day, and I need the encouragement.

Facebook Memory: November 12, 2022

YOU were born to WIN! I love you and God loves you too. Have a blessed day!♥️

I was born to WIN, and so were you!

On another note, so many exciting things are happening this week! Besides this being the final day of this term (Woohoo!), two of my besties are turning 50 this week. One has a birthday tomorrow, November 13th, and the other on Tuesday, November 14th (friends since age 2 –♥️). Then on Friday, November 17th, a documentary about my fave (added the “e” for those who cringe when I write “fav”), Mr. Tyler Perry, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video – Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story. Woohoo!

This is going to be some week!♥️

Shaun

Life

Drown Out the Noise

Shaun Bradford

In the words of Smokie Norful—

The noise of my day
The depression that steals my voice
The confusion that arrests my life
So I can’t even make a choice

Life seems so loud
I’ve been too proud
So Lord, what do I do?
I just need a word from You …

Drown out the noise
Let me hear Your voice
Oh Lord, I know need a word from You
Song: I Need a Word

Breathe. God’s got you.♥️

Shaun

Life

Forever An Airman

Shaun Bradford
Lackland AFB, 1992

Here I am, 31 years after making one of the most pivotal decisions in my life, thanking God for so many wonderful experiences. I will forever be an Airman.

Prior to joining the Air Force, I wanted nothing to do with the military. My stepdad was in the Army so I spent most of my childhood surrounded by soldiers and military dependents. I knew what military life entailed and had no desire to be apart of it. Then…I changed my mind.

I had come to a point in my life where I had to decide if I was going to sink or swim. Yeah…I was drowning. I was 18 years old (just a baby), going to college, living at home, still being treated as a child/second mom (I was my siblings second mother), and yearning for freedom. My first boyfriend, who was seven years older, was going through his own issues and cheating left and right. Y’all, I had to get away!

So, one day in April 1992, I turned to the yellow pages of a phone book and found an Air Force recruiter. To this day I still don’t know what made me do it. I found the recruiter, visited his office and signed up for the delayed entry program (I was still in college). I remember him saying that they usually speak with the parents too but since I was 18 and sure of my decision, he would sign me up. A couple of months later, I officially joined.

Now, all of it seems like a lifetime ago. That one decision changed the trajectory of my life. Y’all, that one blind leap made me who I am today.

Again, here I am over 30 years later smiling about that decision. I did it and I retired! Never in my wildest dreams as a kid did I imagine I would be a veteran. Never! Life is truly interesting.

To all of my fellow veterans, Happy Veterans Day! Thank you so much for your service and sacrifices.♥️

Shaun

Life

Press Pause

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: November 10, 2022

So many things that happen in life are beyond our control. Today, I encourage you to take mental breaks whenever you feel overwhelmed. This could mean unplugging from social media, using DND, turning off the TV. Press ⏸ on whatever’s causing you stress.♥️ ~Shaun

Your mental and emotional health matters. Take care of yourself.
Life

Prayers are Being Answered

Shaun Bradford

Now is not the time to lose faith. Everything you prayed for is happening. You may not see it yet, but it is happening. So, stand still and stand strong. God is working.♥️ ~Shaun

Rejoice!