Tag: birthday

Life

Just Believe

Shaun Bradford

“Just believe!” We say it all the time in passing. However, most of us never put too much thought into it, we just say it. As we all know, the action of believing is much more than a thought.

Question – How strong is your belief system?

Keep your belief system(s) strong!

According to last year’s journal entry (June 10, 2022), I was watching Bishop T. D. Jakes sermon, “Hurdles to Wholeness.” Think I need to rewatch it.

In his message, he spoke of faulty belief systems and how we will only rise to the levels of our beliefs. Hmmm

Here are a few more questions–

Do you believe in what you are believing for?

Or

Are you all talk and either, do not really want it… or… you do not believe you will receive it?

According to Bishop Jakes, however you respond to those questions will dictate where you go in life.

I guess you can say my Saturday has started off DEEP! Whew!! Wasn’t expecting an assignment for this morning. Time for me to reevaluate my belief system(s)–thought I was good–and make some necessary changes. Y’all, I am really serious about not taking baggage into the next half of my life, and part of that baggage is a faulty belief system. Either I want what I say I want or not!

On another note…

Two more weeks until Year 50 is here! Don’t have anything planned, but I am still excited. I actually feel like I’m getting ready to cross over into a new space in life. I used to believe I needed to bring in 50 by doing something huge. Something I could take pictures of and say, “I did that!” Now, it’s all about the big show that’s happening on the inside. I’m excited about where God is taking me spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Once those are in check, everything else will follow. Yeah… I’m excited!

Thank for reading! Praying you have a wonderful weekend.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Was looking through Facebook memories and old journals to find inspiration for today’s blog. I could not find a journal entry from this date 20+ years ago, so I decided to include my Facebook post from last year, June 4, 2022.

“Just me being me.🤷🏽‍♀️😁 Y’all, life is good and God is sooo amazing. I’m so grateful for His mercy and grace. And the way He loves me – INDESCRIBABLE!! Whew! Getting emotional just thinking about it.☺️ Twenty days until #Year49, and I’m going to enjoy every minute because I KNOW #ImBlessed! 🙏🏽♥️”

As I mentioned, I could not find an entry written on this date over 20 years ago. However, I did find several entries between 1991-2002 written either the day before or after June 4. Y’all, I weep for that young lady. She was so lost, hurt and broken. For years, even decades, she accepted any and everything that was thrown her way because she felt unworthy and unlovable. When I tell you her self esteem was shot. I can see now that she was punishing herself for that one decision she wish she had not made. That one decision caused her to enter a downward spiral that led to self hatred and mental abuse. She consistently punished herself by allowing others to misuse and abuse her. She felt she deserved the pain because she had not lived up to the dreams and goals she had set for herself. Y’all, she did not know she could recover. Sadly, it would be decades before she realized that one mistake did not define her and that all of her dreams and aspirations were still in tact.

Now, here I am 20 days before Year 50. As I mentioned last year, I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, it is truly INDESCRIBABLE! Today, I can happily say that my life is drastically different than it was 30 years ago. That young lady is finally a woman who understands that that one decision was just part of her (my) story. Smiling

Year 50 is loading. Excited to see where this next journey takes me.

No more pain. I got you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Screaming–One More Month!

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I woke up screaming! In my head, of course. In exactly ONE MONTH, I will be 50!!!! AAAAAAHHHHH!!!

Last night, I was kind of down. Was thinking about how Momma won’t be here to celebrate my 50th with me. Then, this morning I woke up excited. I’m actually going to be half a century. How cool is that!

Last year, my best friends/sister friends and I were trying to decide what we wanted to do for our 50th year. We thought about RVing across the states and flying to Alaska and Hawaii. Considered stopping in Los Angeles for the BET awards since it fell on my birthday weekend. Like we were really going to get in. Laughing. Cool fact– This year they are celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop!

Well, those were our plans until August happened. After August, the planning ceased.

I was talking to one of my sister friends after Momma died and she mentioned her plans during June and never once mentioned my birthday. That was the first time ever. She has always mentioned my birthday. I understood. I knew she probably thought that was the last thing I wanted to discuss, but I kind of felt forgotten. Anyhoo… that was last week and even yesterday.

Today, I am excited about my birthday again, and I’m so glad that I am. I love celebrating my birthdays and 50 is a big one. Y’all, I will be half a century old. Regal

I love my life and I love how God loves me. Y’all, He will not let me stay down. Yes, I’m blessed.♥️

Just call me Queen Shaun! Smile

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week. Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

April’s Rambling

Shaun Bradford

It’s a little after 6:00 AM and I feel like writing. Yesterday, I drove up to spend a few days with my mom. She’s still in the hospital. They are thinking about sending her to a rehab/nursing facility until her wound (Stage 4 pressure ulcer) heals well enough for her to return home. The good news is, they believe all of the infected tissue has been removed and the antibiotics are working.

I haven’t slept much because she doesn’t really sleep much. She can never quite get comfortable. I really did not know what to expect during this stay. After spending over two months in the hospital with her several months ago, and not having a great experience, I arrived a little tense and expected to do more assisting than keeping her company. Unlike before, she’s actually calling the nurses to assist her, which kind of makes me feel useless. But she’s doing right. It is their job to assist her. I’m learning to stay in my place and be okay with it. I’m only here to be her daughter not nurse or caregiver.

On another note… Two of my friends are already celebrating our 50th year. Last year we decided we would celebrate the entire year. Well, they are actually doing it. Both attended concerts last night. One in Chicago and the other in Nashville. I’m not jealous. I love seeing them have a great time. They deserve it! Plus, my daughter has already gotten us tickets to see Beyoncé in New Orleans, so my fun is coming. I just feel like I have not had the chance to celebrate like I thought I would. Which means I have to be more intentional about making things happen because this year is supposed to be EPIC! Listen, you only turn 50 once! Smile

I will note one thing that is happening – I am actually becoming more and more comfortable in my own skin. I know I write about embracing all of me, often; however, I have never really felt it as much as I do now. I’m not as anxious as I used to be. I am no longer second guessing my decisions. I am also becoming less and less concerned about my flaws, or what others would consider flaws. Maybe this year is more about embracing and celebrating my truest self than creating photographical memories. The transformation that is taking place on the inside is far more important.

Well, I am going to end here. I need to find something to eat. Wishing all of you a great weekend.

Love You!♥️

Shaun

Life

Happy 49th Birthday To Me!

Shaun Bradford

Welcoming #Year49 with gratitude and a very warm embrace. So grateful to have made it this far. Y’all, I’m truly blessed.♥️

My birthday prayer for this year and beyond is to continue to experience God’s love, mercy, grace and favor; to love and be loved unconditionally; and to reach unimaginable heights. Y’all, it’s the final year of my 40’s and I intend to make it great! ~ Shaun