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Remembering Colin Powell

Shaun Bradford

Today, I am remembering Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, who passed away on October 18, 2021. His presence in this world is greatly missed.🙏🏽🕊️

Thought I’d share his Thirteen Rules of Leadership.

Secretary Powell’s 13 Rules:

  1. It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning. 
  2. Get mad then get over it.
  3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
  4. It can be done.
  5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it. 
  6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. 
  7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours. 
  8. Check small things.
  9. Share credit.
  10. Remain calm. Be kind.
  11. Have a vision. Be demanding. 
  12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
  13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Source: https://www.state.gov/dipnote-u-s-department-of-state-official-blog/colin-l-powells-thirteen-rules-of-leadership/

Number One—“It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning.” This one has to be the one I have experienced most often. It feels like it’s the end of the world while you going through the pain, but once you’re over it, you eventually (it definitely takes time) realize it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. It also reminds me of Anita Baker and The Winans song, “Ain’t No Need To Worry.” The song say—

“Ain’t no need in worrying what the night is gonna bring, it’ll be all over in the morning. … Weeping will last, but only for a while, but when the sun shines, you’ll wear a smile. It’ll be all over in the morning.”

Smile, morning is here. Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

What Did I Ask For?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Photo credit: Unknown. I shared it on October 18, 2015.

“Everything you are going thru is preparing you for what you asked for.”

Whew! Sometimes, I wonder what I asked for because I didn’t think it was much. You would think I asked God for the world. Laughing

Honestly though, what did I ask for that requires so much preparation?

Up until Year50, I thought I knew; however, at this point, I am at a complete loss. If you have been following me for a while, you know that I did ask God to make this side of 50 different from the last. Well, I guess I had one thing in mind, and He had another. This side is different, but not as different as I would have liked. Baby… I was looking for all things to be new (I mean, He is God😉), not just my mindset. But, I guess that’s where different starts.

Anyhoo…

I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me. I asked for different than what was, and I guess that’s what He’s preparing me for. However, it had to start with my mindset, first.

Right now, I’m just going with the flow. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty nerve wracking at times because I was so used to anticipating what came next. Now, I’m out here blindly following God’s lead, with absolutely no idea of what’s to come—like, none—completely clueless. Yep, I’m just out here trusting His lead, and trusting His love for me. I know He will not lead me wrong, and whatever different is, will be greater and better than I imagined.🙏🏽

Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading! I pray you have a wonderfully, blessed weekend.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Don’t Lose Yourself

Shaun Bradford
Shared as a Facebook story on October 17, 2021.

I know how it feels to lose yourself trying to hold on to others. Been there many times. And I’m not only talking about losing myself in love relationships. Of course, those are the ones most people noticeably lose themselves in. However, friendships, work relationships, and family relationships are others.

Check your relationships, all of them, and make sure you’re showing up fully as YOU, and not who others want you to be. You are too important to lose yourself to anyone other than yourself and God.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Question Of The Day

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

The question of the day is–

“Did you ask God?”

Shared on this day last year (October 17, 2023).

Last year I wrote–

“Be sure to consult with God before making your next big move. Moving without His permission could be detrimental. Maybe not physically, but spiritually, emotionally, mentally and/or financially.”

Again… Did you ask God? Believe me, you don’t want to move without Him.

Praying you have a beautiful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Sustainability

Shaun Bradford

I have always believed in creating something solid. Something that would outlast even me. Something sustainable.

Sustainability was always one of my first thoughts when asked to work on community-based research projects, especially those that had the potential of making or breaking communities—leaving them healthier or leaving them worse.

I always asked—and I’m pretty sure many were annoyed—What’s the plan for after?

After the funding ends.

After the results aren’t found favorable, or publishable.

After a bigger and better opportunity comes along.

What’s the plan for the community?

I have found that commitment, longevity, and endurance are key to sustainability. You have to be committed to the plan (the vision), and in it for the long haul. You have to push through the hard times. Now, I am not going to lie, there were times when I wanted to give up. Times when my heart was so broken that I did give up. Y’all, people be peopling. However, I am now realizing that when God has a purpose for your life, even you can’t stop it!

So, here I am.

What I am building will last. I know this to be true because God didn’t give me a vision for something temporary. For a quick fix. He gave me a vision for something sustainable, where communities will thrive.

Here’s another great share from Bruce Van Horn. When I tell you his posts kept me encouraged! He is missed.

Slowly, but surely, things are happening.

One crawl, one step, and one leap at a time. It will happen… It is happening.♥️

Shaun