Tag: change

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday! Today’s blog is going to be another brief one.

Over the last couple of days, I haven’t felt like talking or interacting with people much. I’ve been in my “secret place” – the place that the Winans refer to in their song, Secret Place. Nothing bad. It’s just that lately I have had a lot on my mind like – pivoting, changing course, going in a different direction, dropping things/people that are causing more stress than being beneficial, and doing something new.. something totally different from what I have been doing the last 20 years or so. This is not the first time I have done this. Let’s just say it’s probably the third time in my lifetime. In my younger years, I wasn’t afraid to let things go or change courses. Now that I’m older, and somewhat wiser, I’m kind of hesitant. Will I have time to achieve new dreams and goals? I have always said the first half of my life (first 50) was for figuring things out, and the last half (50+) for living out my dreams. Didn’t think I would be changing directions this late in the game. Gotta love life.

I know I just rambled off a lot. Even with writing all of that, I still don’t feel like talking. I have a lot of decisions to make. I know it’s time for me to change courses. The direction I was headed in had me constantly stressed and anxious. I needed these last few months to get my head straight. You all will probably be the first to know where this new journey takes me.

By the way, this is my 92nd day of posting! YAY!! Consistency, discipline and dedication are key. Oh, and I actually love what I’m doing, especially creating the stories.

As always, thank you so much for putting up with my ramblings. Now you know how my journal feels. Smile.

Enjoy your week!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Just woke up from a disturbing dream. I was working at my old job and dealing with some of the same people and issues that eventually led to my resignation. While laying here thinking, l began hearing the song, How I Got Over. The song says:

How I got over
How I got over
My soul looks back and wonder how I got over

Whew! Y’all, God is good. I am so grateful that stage of my journey is over. As I think about the last thirty years of adulthood, I can’t help but smile. I made it through some difficult times. And y’all, I’m still here! Again, God is so good!

My soul looks back and wonder how I got over.

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a fabulous week!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday

Shaun Bradford

Speak life and believe. Every day. All day.

Yesterday I had decided I was going to blog about balance, balance and peace. However, this morning it was laid on my heart to blog about the importance of speaking life over our lives and the power of belief. I know it sounds like I’m about to preach a sermon but I promise you I’m not. This will be short– very short.

So this morning I woke up with Donald Lawrence’s song “I Speak Life” playing over and over in my head. Even though I kept hearing it, I still had plans of writing about balance. Well, that was until I read my journal entry from six years ago– May 26, 2015. That entry was the confirmation I needed to proceed in this direction. My guess is that this blog must be written, if not for someone else, for me for whenever I need it. Because more than likely, I’ll need to read it again. You know, that’s just how God works. His messages are always available when we need them. Anyhoo.. testimony time.

My Testimony:

It had been exactly two months to the day that I had been separated from my ex. Although my life seemed pathetic, I was happy. Y’all, I was back to driving my little, raggedy Dodge Neon– which was falling apart but was drivable and reliable. I was also about to lose my house and eventually did. With all of that going on, I woke up that morning not knowing if I would be employed a few months later. One of the grants I was working on was wrapping up, and the other didn’t have enough funds to pay my entire salary. However, there was an instructor’s position open. Although I had never considered teaching, I applied for the position. I applied for it with the request that I was allowed to continue to do research. The department chair at that time informed me that all of the other instructors only taught courses and they needed a full-time instructor. Instead of worrying about it, knowing I really needed the job and should’ve taken what was offered, I gave it to God and confidently told a friend, “God’s got me.” Listen, I spoke and believed God had me covered. I wrote about how I went about my day basically praising God all day. Everyone who knows me knows I’m always full of praise. Y’all God really is that good! Listen, by that evening God had worked everything out. I received an email from the Chair saying they had found a way for me to teach 50% of the time and do research the other 50. Whew!! When I tell you there’s power in speaking and believing! If it does not happen, it’s not that your belief is not strong, it just means God has other plans. And believe me, His plans are always better.

That testimony was only one of many. Whenever I find myself wanting to speak something negative, God blocks it. I’m constantly reminded, and I remind others, that words have power. Whether you speaking them over your life or about others, they’re powerful; and once they are said, you cannot take them back. Motivational speaker Les Brown said that even the smallest amount of doubt spoken can change the flow of God’s blessings (paraphrased). So remember to speak life and only speak life, and don’t forget to believe.

Be Blessed,

Shaun