Life

Gotta Get This Out

Shaun Bradford

Trying to hold it together. A wave of emotions just hit me and I am trying not to cry. Was going to write about it tomorrow but I need to write about it now. First off, it’s nothing bad. Smile

Sooo… My daughter is moving to another state tomorrow. This has been in the works for some time, and now that time is here. Gotta love on her all day. When I tell you my kids and I are so close! We have never been more than minutes away from each other unless we’re traveling.

Listen, my baby girl has been with me since conception. I almost got put out of the military because I refused to take orders to Turkey unless she could go with me. I was advised against it. Was advised to leave her with my mom, but I couldn’t. She was mine and my responsibility. She went with me and we made it! I am so happy I made that decision because she still remembers her experience. The only time I had to leave her was when I was activated (Air National Guard) after 9-11. But even then, I was only an hour and a half away from her. I could see her at any time. Y’all, she’s my heart.

I know it sounds like I do not want her to leave, but that’s quite the opposite. To me it’s long overdue, but timing is everything. I guess she gets her patience and instincts from me—watching and learning what and what not to do. Laughing. I am so happy for her! However, I am definitely going to miss her presence, her hugs, and our passionate debates about politics, religion and pretty much any topic under the sun. She’s my horoscope advisor. Always telling me where my moon is or what’s rising. Listen, I have absolutely no clue what any of it means, but I love hearing her talk about it. All I know is I am a Cancer—a true Cancer is what she calls me. Y’all, she’s my sounding board. She’s brutally honest and keeps me on my toes. And I love every minute of it!! Every time I see her I smile. God blessed me with her. Never in a million years could I have expected to love so deeply and be loved as she loves me—as both of my two do. I am actually a mother!! Can’t stress it enough. I am truly, truly blessed!

Anyhoo…

I am so happy for her. And soooo very proud of her. Now I have another place to visit. Smiling

God is good. Just had to get that out.

Shaun

My hearts.♥️♥️

Life

Live, Laugh, Love, and Be Kind

Shaun Bradford

I believe the secret to a good life consists of actually living it; laughing often (gotta laugh); loving wholeheartedly; and being genuinely kind to others (not for show). Here’s what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: January 23, 2024

Smile, if you’re already here. If this is how you’re living. If you are not here, get here quickly. This is where peace resides.

Live: Stay present!

Laugh: Your soul needs it.

Love: Unconditionally – it’s the secret of true peace and happiness.

Be Kind: EVERYONE’s struggling with something. No one’s exempt.

Focus on who & what truly matters and let the rest go. Life is short, spread LOVE!♥️ #ILoveYou

Again, spread love. Everyone needs love, even those we do not believe deserve it—they need it. Approaching them with hate only adds hate to your heart. Also, add hope. Whenever possible, add a little bit of hope to your conversations. Give people something to look forward to even if you cannot see it. Listen, hope goes a long way. It keeps life going.

That’s all I have for now. Wishing you a beautifully, blessed day.

Enjoy!♥️

Shaun

Life

The Good Times

Shaun Bradford

Yesterday, I could not decide which Facebook memory to share so I didn’t share one. Well, instead of sharing my “Hello Sunday” on my social media accounts, I decided to share this memory. It’s a day later, but worth sharing.

Facebook Memory: January 21, 2023

Much too often we remember hurts and disappointments before we remember the good. Today, I encourage you to focus on the good times. The moments that made you smile and feel loved. Have a wonderful day.♥️

Always hold your good memories close and dear.

Praying you have a blessed day and joyful week. May God shower you with unexpected blessings.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Obedience is Key

Shaun Bradford

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Been hearing this all day so I decided to share it.

When searching for the quote, “Only what you do for Christ will last,” multiple scriptures popped up along with lyrics from several songs. The scripture I used above appeared to be most commonly cited with the quote.

From what I gather from both—the scripture and the quote—what is seen, or done solely for others to see, is temporary. However, what is done from the heart—often in private—with pure intentions (like Christ), will last forever.

I pray that whatever I do pleases God and lasts forever. Amen

Being obedient is key.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
This morning I’m just writing and rambling. Let’s see what I end up sharing.

Happy Sunday!

Honestly, I really do not know what to share today. I have a few Facebook memories that are worth sharing but I am not sure which I should share, and if I shared them all the post would be much too long. Guess I will start with this:

Yesterday, I hit 980 consecutive days of posting! Woohoo!! So, the countdown to 1000 has begun. Still unsure of how I am going to celebrate, or if I will do anything differently after 1000. Hmm…

Three years ago today, I became a published author. Another… Woohoo!! Smile. It seems like it was so long ago. Sadly, I can no longer feel the excitement of that moment. Last year I somewhat felt it, but not this year. I wonder if it’s because my mom helped me promote book sales on Facebook. So as soon as I saw the memories from that day, her name was everywhere. She had tagged me in so many posts. Now, this makes me smile. A year later, she became a first time published author fulfilling one of her dreams. Y’all, I had no desire to become an author, but she did.

Now that I am reflecting on this, perhaps my opportunity to become an author opened the door to her fulfilling her dreams. If I would have turned down the opportunity, she may have never connected with the person who initiated the anthology. The person was from somewhere in Florida and we live in Mississippi. BUT… if it was meant to be it would have been, even without me. Listen, that’s how God works, for real! Y’all, life is truly interesting. And GOD!! Whew!! Listen, the way He works is mind blowing!

Now, here I am looking at my life and doors that were opened for me due to someone saying “yes” to something they probably never thought of doing. Also thinking about how me joining the Air Force inspired two of my siblings to join the Navy. Also, how I have been told more than once how my career as a research dietitian inspired other dietitians to work in communities. Y’all, this career found me. I had no desire to become a dietitian. I wanted to be a personal chef. Then, one meeting with a dietitian during my culinary internship at a hospital changed everything. And me volunteering as a student to assist with a research project lead me to becoming a research dietitian. Isn’t God awesome?!

My experience from my research days as a student led me to hire students for my projects. During the summers, I would hire them to assist me with data collections in rural Mississippi. Y’all, we had so much fun! Most of our trips required overnight stays. So, I would rent a 15 passenger van, reserve hotel rooms and take them to local restaurants to eat. Since most of them had never seen rural areas, or interacted with people from underserved communities, I wanted them to get the full experience. Plus, I love adventures and boy did we have some! Sometimes the GPS led us to some sketchy spots. So grateful for good phone service and a full tank of gas (always kept it above 1/2 full), we always made it to our destinations and had stories to tell afterwards.

Yeah…that’s what I miss! I miss the students. I miss the trips. I miss the conferences. I miss my colleagues. I miss meeting new people. I miss the communities. I miss the adventures and stories. Now, how can I make it happen again without going back to work for a university or with people who don’t share my same values?

I guess that’s something to tackle this week. Very few people know I have a nonprofit. Been tweaking things over the years. Maybe this year is the year I finally launch a project. Gotta start somewhere and with what I have.

I needed this! Started off not knowing what to write and in the midst of writing, discovered a plan. God is absolutely amazing!! I just love how He works. I am truly, truly blessed and loved.

Thanks for reading my first official rambling of the year. Again, God is so wonderful! So grateful to know Him.

Praying you have a wonderfully, blessed day!♥️

Shaun