Tag: blogger

hope

Make It Happen, Today! Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Several posts ago, I mentioned a conversation with Dr. Cheryl Wood (motivational speaker) about taking a leap into the entrepreneurial world. Well, until I saw this Facebook memory (screenshot below) this morning, I had forgotten that a few years earlier I had become a sole proprietor, which became my side hustle for a few years. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking it because it—The Research Diva–RD—eventually became LaShaundreaB, Registered Dietitian and Research Consultant, the hub for all of my projects. I started with what I had.

Facebook Memory: September 30, 2017

I shared Jennifer Hudson’s song, “I Am Changing,” with the post.

As I said in my previous post, “Make It Happen, Today!”, if it’s something you really want to do, don’t put it off. Start with what you have and God will do the rest. After creating The Research Diva–RD, not even a year later, my confidence took the biggest blow. Y’all, knocked it down to ZERO. In all of the conferences and workshops I had attended, no one had prepared me for the hits. Every speaker made them seem like a small hiccup in the process. You know, “It’s just something you have to go through to get to the other side.” And to their credit, I will say, the pain or disappointment isn’t something easy to describe. All I can say is, it hurt! Had me second guessing my dreams and purpose. Didn’t even know if I wanted to remain a dietitian or in research. It was a terrible time for me, but eventually, like everyone else who’d experienced setbacks, I found my way back.

Listen, life is going to happen, and sometimes it will literally knock the life out of you. If or when it happens, please be kind to yourself, and give yourself grace and time to find your way back. Just don’t give up on your dreams. God put them in you for a purpose that’s much greater than yourself.

Well, that’s all for now. Just saw that post and thought I’d share it with you. Listen, don’t wait, make your dreams happen, now!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Forever Looking Up

Shaun Bradford
Life is beautiful. Forever looking up. It’s the only way to look!

While reading one of my fellow bloggers’ posts—Wynne Leon (Surprised by Joy)—I saw this quote and it spoke to my soul. If you know me, just about everything speaks to my heart, soul, and/or spirit. Smile. Well, I felt this one. For me, it captures the way I feel about peace, joy, love, and freedom. Once you’ve tasted them, you’ll forever want more. It’s where I am in life, today; and I am so loving this space.♥️

Shaun

hope

It’s A Mind Thing

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

There are many things that can hold us back, but sometimes we’re the ones holding ourselves back. When I used to hear people say this, I would be like, “They just don’t understand,” “They have support,” “They didn’t have the struggles I did.” And those statements were valid and very real at the time. I felt them wholeheartedly.

Well, a few years before I decided to take my official leap into the entrepreneurial world, I had a brief conversation with international motivational speaker, Dr. Cheryl Wood, about my aspirations for my future. When asked why I wasn’t already pursuing them fully, I listed all kinds of excuses. She just listened and when I finished she said, “When you’re ready, you’ll do it.” She said she heard the excuses, but whenever I was ready, the excuses wouldn’t matter. Honestly, I thought she couldn’t relate. She was married. I was going through a divorce. She had someone to fall back on. I had no one.

Then, in 2021, while sitting at my desk working my 9-5, I decided I was ready. I still wasn’t married. Didn’t have anyone to support me. However, I knew with all my being and heart I was ready. That’s when I took the leap and never looked back.

Now, here I am nearly four years later, still no husband or extra support, and without any regrets. Y’all, I’m finally doing what I love. It may not look like what I envisioned, but it surely does feel like everything I imagined. Now, don’t get me wrong, life isn’t a cakewalk. I still struggle at times, but it’s different. Today, I don’t mind enduring the difficult times because I know without a doubt God’s got my back. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I am finally doing what I love.

Here’s what I shared 10 years ago—the Facebook memory that prompted this post.

Whew!! I’m so glad I’m not where I was ten years ago, not even a year ago. Blessed.☺️

The caption on the picture says it all, everything that was holding me back was all in my head. My mindset had to change, first. Then, I changed.

When I tell you God is so good. I am so grateful He loves me like He does. Hands down, I am truly, truly blessed.

Well, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Breathe… You Are Going To Make It!

Shaun Bradford

I know life has been somewhat rough at times, and you have felt like giving up more times than you care to admit, but hang in there. Please don’t give up. I promise you, you are going to make it. Speaking from a wealth of experiences. Y’all, I made it!!!

Always remember, God has the final say. You were never meant to fail, but to prosper.

Now…

Breathe and keep going!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

God’s got you!

hope

A Shift In The Atmosphere

Shaun Bradford
Covered!

For several days now, B. Slade’s (formerly known as Tonex) song, “Make Me Over,” has been playing in my head off and on. But today, it’s been on repeat. I fell asleep hearing it and woke up hearing it. Even believe I was hearing it while asleep. Which means it must need to be shared. Here are the lyrics.

“Make Me Over” by B. Slade
Lyrics: Musixmatch

You know my other side
I can no longer hide
Let you down so many times
Sin freshly crucifies

Thought that I had a plan
I had it all figured out
But the more that you tried to be by my side
The more I pushed you out

Lord make me over
Lord make me over
Lord make me over

Make me over again (Is that anybody’s prayer out there tonight)
Make me over again (Somebody out there sing it come on)
Make me over again
Make me over again

Time after the time I failed you
Pierced your side when they already nailed you
Jesus heal my open wounds
I just want to be more like you

Father I let you down
What’s not like you just take it out
Reconcile me Jesus, I just want to please you
Wash me and make me whole

Lord make me over
Lord make me over
Lord make me over

Make me over again
Make me over again
Make me over again
Make me over again

Y’all, there’s another shift happening in the atmosphere. I can feel it, and I’m here for it! God is making everything new again. Whatever was meant for evil or to destroy will not prevail. Keep your eyes, hearts, and minds open. Great things are headed your way!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Expect The Unexpected

Shaun Bradford

When you wake up to a text from your daughter saying, “BTW, I meant to tell you I’m going [out of the country] today. Headed to the airport now. Here’s my flight information. I’ll be gone for a few days.”

What do you do?

I mean what else can you do but say, “Safe travels”, “Have fun!”, and “I love you!”

She is almost 30.

Of course, my mind went into military mode, and I sent her the government’s travel info about the country she’s traveling to and the Embassy’s information.

Then, I said a prayer to cover her.🙏🏽

She is grown and free to explore. I just wish she would’ve chosen somewhere I was somewhat familiar with. She dances to the beat of her own drums, and I love that about her. Also, she gets it honestly, so I can’t be mad at her. It’s not like I told my mom everything beforehand. However, unlike her, the military made me a little more wiser and a bit more cautious.

As I alluded to in my earlier post, I’m letting go of things I cannot control. She’s God’s child. He’s got her.

But y’all, I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t going to talk her out of going, but I would’ve asked a lot of questions.🤷🏽‍♀️

I can see my life as a mom with adult children is about to take me to a whole new level of motherhood. I can already see my son is ready to test being 21. He hasn’t done anything but I can feel it. This is definitely going to be interesting!

Now, I’m smiling because we’re all grown!! Wow!! I know I started off sounding a bit weary. However, the more I write the more I feel another level of freedom coming on. Again, we’re all grown!

Okay… I’m going to end here.

I guess you can say this is my first “random rambling” on this side of 50!

Y’all, why am I so excited?!!!

Okay… Bye!✌🏽

Shaun