Tag: authenticity

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

First thing yesterday morning, I downloaded a copy of Mrs. Michelle Obama’s newest book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. I had been looking for a good book to read and when I heard hers was about to be released, I waited for it. I waited for it because I knew it would be good. I knew it would be one that I couldn’t put down, just like her last book, Becoming.

Sooo… many, many years ago, I made a list of people I wanted to meet. Well, she was number four on my list; and believe it or not, her husband was number ten. Crazy, huh? On my list, I added why I wanted to meet them and questions I would ask. Well, at that time, my question for Mrs. Obama was – How do you keep smiling?

Y’all, back then I was so intrigued by the way she carried herself when most people would have buckled. Her poise, her confidence, her strength and her smile were all so fascinating. As you can see, I’m definitely a fan. Y’all, it was like the more they hated her and her husband the more she smiled, showed kindness, love and compassion. It was like their hate was her fuel.

Side Note: Over my lifetime, I have asked God for things, or wanted things, and they have happened. Sadly, many of those times I didn’t realize He had answered my prayers until years later. It’s because His answers don’t always come in the form we are searching for. Life…

In 2019, I had the opportunity to see Mrs. Obama at Essence Festival in New Orleans. I remember my friends and I walking towards the Superdome and seeing police escorts and black SUVs zooming pass. We stopped and yelled, “That’s her!” We screamed her name not even knowing if it was her inside one of the vehicles. We still laugh about it to this day because we swear it was her and that she saw us and waved. Y’all, that could’ve been ANYBODY! Laughing. But in our hearts it was her. Later that evening, we got to hear her talk about everything I wanted know and more. The book only covered so much and she filled in the rest. For me, God had answered my prayers. It didn’t take me years to realize what had happened. I knew at that exact moment that I was sitting in my answer.

Now, I’m reading her latest book and so far she’s dropping gems that I need for where I am now, in life. Yeah.. so many tools – as she calls them – that I can use to get me through this next phase of my journey. Smiling.

Listen, if you’re looking for a good book to read, that’s not boring, pick up Mrs. Obama’s latest book The Light We Carry.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Can’t believe it’s Wednesday, already! It’s a little after midnight where I am so I have decided to go ahead and write.

Life is full of highs and lows. Seems like as soon as you experience a high you need to start preparing for the low– the unexpected low.

Yesterday was a pretty sad day. I woke up to the news that one of the artists from the rap group Migos had passed. I’m not sure if it was my daughter waking me up in tears that made the news seem more devastating or the fact that he was so young. All I kept thinking was that could’ve been my son. He was only 28.

Then, I visited my mom in the hospital and she wasn’t having a good day. She thought she was going to be discharged only to find out everything had been delayed. She cried and screamed and nothing I said or did consoled her. It was a lot. Yeah.. yesterday was a lot.

I’m going to attempt to go back to sleep now. I pray that the rest of the day goes well. I pray that those who are hurting mentally, emotionally and physically experience peace and comfort. Lord, please help us. Amen

Life

Listen

Shaun Bradford

Be still and listen.
Be quiet and listen.
The answer’s there.
Just listen.

Once you’ve received your answer, it’s on you to accept it or not.♥️

Learning and growth is lifelong. It seems like every day I’m either learning something new or accepting what I have already known (growth).

I tend to talk to God a lot; however, I don’t always take time to listen. Or, I hear Him, don’t like the answer, and keep talking. Either way, He always provides answers.

Here’s what I’m learning:

  • If I listen the first, second or third time (yep.. I’m stubborn at times), I won’t have to keep repeating the same things.
  • Sometimes the answers will take me outside my comfort zone. I have to move while afraid, uncertain and uncomfortable.
  • God’s answers can contradict reason and logic. Yes, I’m learning to stop trying to make sense of things.
  • God will confirm His answers. I will say that nowadays He confirms them much faster than before, or not. Maybe the confirmation has always been there but I was not open to receiving the answer(s).

Going forward, my goal is to be intentional about listening, accepting and acting on God’s answers.

Shaun

Life

Still Standing

Shaun Bradford

Smile. You’re still standing!

Yes.. After all you’ve been through, you are still standing. You survived!♥️

This year has taught me that I cannot keep running from the storms, the pain, the disappointments, the heartaches. No, I have to stand in them and through through them. Sometimes I feel like I’m getting too old for this. I’m too tired. Then, God reminds me that He’s strong when I’m weak. All I have to do is lean on Him. He’s brought me through before and He’ll do it again. BUT.. I have to go through it. Running from it only delays the breakthrough. It delays progress, which delays the dream.

Standing!

Shaun

Life

What’s Your Definition of Love?

Shaun Bradford

How do you define love? Is it patience, kindness and understanding?

How do you show it? How do you receive it?

Unfortunately, love isn’t black and white or one size fits all. How one person shows or receives love can be very different from the next.♥️

A few months ago I took the 5 Love Languages quiz– https://5lovelanguages.com. Took it twice and a similar quiz, and the results were the same. My primary love language is Quality Time followed by Words of Affirmation. If you haven’t taken the quiz, you really should. It’s pretty interesting.

Life

Rejoice, God is Working

Shaun Bradford

Knowing that God is always working on our behalf and that He never stops loving us, makes me rejoice.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford
Not my will, but God’s.

Below is a Facebook memory from three years ago. Today, I needed this reminder. Everything I do is to support God’s purpose. It’s not about me.

Facebook Memory September 14, 2019:

Have you ever asked God why He chose you? I have. Sometimes I still do. Y’all, we were chosen for a reason. He chose us, with all of our imperfections, to fulfill whatever purpose He has. He’s so awesome!

I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know I was chosen for a reason. For this, I’m forever grateful.

To this day, I still don’t know what lies ahead. So much has happened since I made that post. I didn’t know I would suffer one of the biggest heartbreaks of a lifetime. I didn’t know that I would be a coauthor in a book. I didn’t know that I would finally take the leap and leave my job– without a backup plan. I didn’t know that I would be one of the primary caregivers for all three of my parents. I didn’t know that by resting in God, and truly allowing Him to lead, that I would experience such peace. Y’all, I actually feel like a Queen at times. Smiling. I haven’t had to want for anything. God is sooo good.

Today, I’m still perplexed about why God chose me. Why He entrusted me with so many responsibilities, while treating me like royalty. I pray that I’m making Him proud. I pray that I’m doing a good job fulfilling His purpose.

Shaun

Life

Just Be YOU

Shaun Bradford

Your authenticity is beautiful. Just be you!♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Love

Shaun Bradford

Love – A four letter word that causes so many mixed emotions.

Love – Patient, kind and understanding.

Love – Complicated.

Love – The heart beats and longs for it.

Love – Can’t live without it.

Shaun ♥️

My Heartbeat. ♥️
Life

Rejoice

Shaun Bradford

Rejoice – to feel or show great joy or delight

God is good.

Yes, I’m blogging! Today is Day 460.

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was open my iPad and start drawing. While drawing, the word “Rejoice” came to mind and I immediately knew it was the word/quote for today. It was a word that needed to be shared.

Today, I’m rejoicing because I’ve decided to continue moving forward with blogging daily. Yes.. I’m celebrating my decision. Y’all, I remember how I struggled to blog for 100 consecutive days, then 150. When I made it to 200 days, I really wanted to quit. Believe me, the struggle was real. However, I kept going. Now, blogging daily is like second nature. So going back and starting over just isn’t an option. I have to keep going.

It’s what I’m meant to do.

Rejoicing!

Shaun