Tag: dreams

Life

The Ultimate Confirmation

Shaun Bradford

Whew!!! These past few weeks have been very interesting. There has been this struggle between remaining comfortable and leaving this cozy space of mine. Some days I feel bold and empowered, while others I just want to leave my ambitions and dreams for the next generation to achieve, or for another lifetime. Then, one small thing will happen, a comment, an ask, a show of appreciation or love, or that still small voice, that lets me know that I have so much more to do. That I am not meant to settle here. And THIS particular Facebook memory I am sharing is the ultimate of confirmations.

When I tell you God’s timing is impeccable! Y’all, He is so strategic!

Facebook Memory: May 7, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. It confirms what God has been telling me- I need to let go of my comfort zone and start fulfilling His purpose. Story time. I’ll try to make it short.😁

On this exact date, five years ago [May 7, 2014], something awaken in me that I haven’t been able to shake. It was the day that I knew I was destined for more. That God had a purpose for my life. I know all of this sounds crazy. That’s why I keep “receipts.” Lol! So a friend invited me to a two day media training in New Orleans where Chef John Folse was the host and Teri Goudie, famous media trainer, was the coach. That trip was miraculous. It awaken all kinds of dreams that I had put to rest because I thought my time had passed. Those dreams were for the Shaun who hadn’t made any mistakes. Those dreams were for teenage Shaun. They weren’t for the grown, well seasoned Shaun. So I thought.

Two years later [May 7, 2016], I was introduced to Cheryl Wood! By that time I had become the president of our state’s Dietetics association, and I was still trying to recover from my marriage ending. I was a mess! It was the worst time to be president. However, Cheryl’s encouraging messages helped me make it through. She would always post things like, “You belong there,” “No one has your unique fingerprint,” and “Your story isn’t for you, but for someone else.” All confirmed what Teri Goudie had instilled in me two years earlier. The only problem was, I did not want to be noticed, not even as president.

So here we are five years later! WHEW!!! It really doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. I’ve been to three of Cheryl’s presentations, actually had a conversation with her (that’s a powerful story for another day), and attended a year-long, virtual speakers boot camp. I think it’s time for me to come out of this shell! I love being behind the scenes. I’m so comfortable helping others pursue their dreams. I’m that cheerleader, that hype girl!😁 Now it’s time for me to shine. I have work to do! Amen

HA! I shared this five years ago, and that self-sabotage I always refer to, happened over and over again. I allowed my feelings of unworthiness, not being enough, fears of failure and fears of success, stop me from being totally committed to the dream, promise, and purpose. As I promised myself almost a year ago, this side of 50 would be different because I was going to intentionally make it different. Which has meant pushing beyond my feelings and the desire to remain comfortable and coast through the rest of my life. I’m laughing because no matter how many times I have tried to settle, God has said, “Not so!” Y’all, He won’t let me.

Tomorrow, I will explain why today was so significant. Just needed to document this moment, today. It’s a moment I didn’t even realize was happening. This is ten years later…

This is the other side of 50!♥️

Shaun

Life

Focus On The Promise

Shaun Bradford

Here’s today’s Facebook memory from two years ago.

Facebook Memory: May 3, 2022

How often have you become so distracted by the hows and whens that you lose sight of the promise? Even though you can’t clearly see the outcome, keep believing. Eventually, the promise will come to fruition.♥️

This was two years ago and I still have to remind myself to stay focused on the promise. Unlike then, when I was focused on the how and when, I am now faced with my hesitancy to become uncomfortable. On this side of fifty, I have found myself asking if the promise—my goals, dreams and aspirations—is worth giving up this nice, comfortable space I have created. Believe me, it has been a struggle because the how and when are actually happening now.

I am slowly but surely letting this comfortable space go because I want the promise more than my comfort. Y’all, there is no way God has brought me to the door of the promise and I not walk through it. Nope! Not this time.♥️

This is Year50…

Shaun

Life

Settling Is Easy

Shaun Bradford

Settling for life as it is is much easier than putting in effort to change. Settling is what you eventually look back on thinking, “I should’ve,” “I could’ve,” or “I wish I would’ve.” But… you didn’t!

Facebook Memory: May 2, 2022

Settling is easy. Going after your dream takes time, patience, confidence and courage. Please don’t shortchange yourself because you’re too impatient or too discouraged to wait. You owe it to yourself to become and have everything you’ve ever dreamed.♥️

Yes, settling is easy. It’s easy because it gives you momentary satisfaction. It allows you to sit comfortably and cozy while life and time passes by. But, guess what? That desire for what you truly want, never leaves. Nope. It just lies dormant waiting for the craziest moment to reappear. You know, that moment when you have finally come to terms with this is my life. Then BAM! It’s back!

My advice, do not settle. Yes, the journey may be more difficult than you imagined. However, if there is a dream that continuously nags at you, keep pursuing it. Listen, rest if and when you must, then get back to it. I don’t know about you, but I would rather spend my life chasing my dreams than get to the end and wish that I would have kept trying.

That’s all for now. Wishing you a beautifully blessed day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Never Give Up On Your Goals or Dreams

Shaun Bradford

Never give up on your goals or dreams. They may not happen when or the way you envisioned them to, but they will happen.

This has been my prayer, lately:

Lord, please let me be able to recognize and receive what I dreamed. Please let my ego and stubbornness die so that I can enjoy every blessing You have for me. More of You, less of me.

I know my purpose is too great for me to keep getting in my own way. Yes, sometimes I get in the way of my own blessings, dreams, and goals. Not anymore. It’s time for me to see my goals and dreams fulfilled. There’s so much for me to do!♥️

More of God, less of me…

Shaun

Life

Year50: Where The Real Second Chances Begin

Shaun Bradford
Beyond blessed!🦋

I have written numerous posts about second chances. How God is so gracious that He gives us multiple opportunities to get things right, or to achieve our goals and dreams. Over the years, I felt like so many opportunities and time had slipped away. Honestly, I had given up on pursuing certain dreams and aspirations because I believed I had missed my chances. I felt like so many doors and windows had closed and would not reopen. But God!

Now, here I am at age fifty embarking on a new decade, and embracing the second half of my life. Had no idea 50 would be so liberating. As I shared in my previous post, my kids are grown! Like, they are adults. The only responsibility I have is me. The only person I actually have to make decisions for is myself. This is my second chance at adulthood. My chance to pursue my dreams. Smiling

Y’all, God is so good! I promise not to waste time on trivial things. It’s funny because earlier in my adulthood I deemed the years leading up to 50 as my trial and error years, and the years after 50 would be when I lived. Whew!! Y’all, I actually manifested how I wanted to live and then became agitated when my life followed what I had spoken. God really does have a sense of humor, but it’s all based on love. He gave me the experience I asked for (be mindful of what you speak). I am so grateful and blessed that He loves me the way He knows I need to be loved. As always, I am truly blessed.♥️ ~Shaun

This is the blog I shared a year ago on this day, April 20, 2023.

Second Chances

Life

What Do I Want?

Shaun Bradford

This was a question actress, Rita Wilson, asked herself years ago. Well, I happened to come across her TEDx Talk on this date last year (will add it at the end) and asked myself the same question. Here is what I wrote in my journal on that day.

Shaun’s Journal Entry: April 17, 2023

“What do you want?” Just watched a TEDTalk by Rita Wilson. She said Oprah asked her this question back in 2005 when she felt she had it all. She said she felt greedy to ask for more. Then, one day while she was running, she figured it out– Music. She said that she always loved music. That music gave her a natural high. So she told her agent that she wanted to do a musical. She said her agent just stared at her like she was naked in front of a group of people and couldn’t move. The next day she got an offer to star in [the musical] Chicago. After talking to a friend, her, her husband (Tom Hanks) and their daughter flew to NY to see the play. She said after it was done, she turned to her husband and daughter and said there was no way she could do it. But they disagreed. They told her that she absolutely could. And she did.

And here is a tad bit (learning not to over share) of how I responded to the question.

I don’t want a 9-5. I want to be free to move about and spread love and hope. I want to inspire people through my work. I want to assist others in achieving their dreams and goals. I want to be their cheerleader. That’s who I want to be. Lately I have been thinking about what I would say and what I would bring to the table. The answer is assistance. Wherever I am my goal is to assist others with improving their programs. Whatever I can do to make things better, I will.

Smiling because I am doing exactly what I said I wanted to do. Y’all, God is good. He is absolutely amazing. The funny thing is I had forgotten I had written this. And honestly, I had no idea I was doing what I said I wanted to do. I just kind of flowed into it. Didn’t even see it happening. Again, God is good. I am truly blessed.

Here is Rita’s video.

Have a blessed day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Stay Focused On The Promise

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: April 16, 2022

It’s so easy to become distracted and discouraged by what we see; and what we see changes daily. This is why we must focus on the promise, God’s promise. If HE said it, it WILL BE. Period!

Focus on the promise.♥️

Shaun

Life

Try Again

Shaun Bradford

I do not care how many times you have to start over, or how crazy you may look to others or what they might say (people are going to talk either way)—Try again!

Try again and keep trying until you get what you desire. Do not allow anyone or anything to stop you, not even you! Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We allow our emotions, insecurities, egos, and thoughts of inferiority to stop us from seeing things through. Not this time. Today, we are going to block everything that hinders us from moving forward. We can do it!

Try again.

Then, keep trying until you see what you dreamed.♥️

Shaun

Life

Open The Bottle

Shaun Bradford

Have you been limiting God? Limiting Him to only what you see, know, and have experienced? If so…STOP! Stop limiting Him. He’s not a genie, but you have Him confined to a bottle as if He were one. Instead of allowing Him to work freely, you have limited Him to what you believe you want. The funny thing is, God already knows what you need to reach your fullest potential. And whatever that might be, may not even be on your radar at this moment. Remember, God knows and sees all.

Listen, I am receiving this message as I write. It’s definitely for me too! Whew!!

Open the bottle and let God free! Let Him do His thing! I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited!

Thanking God for loving me like only He can. I am definitely blessed. Y’all, I needed this revelation.♥️

Shaun

Life

Not Our Plan, God’s Plan

Shaun Bradford

It is easy to get caught up in our own plans forgetting that God’s in control. Although we may not fully understand His plans, we must remember that His are far better than our own.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: April 13, 2023

It’s not about our plan, but God’s. Allow God to guide you in the right direction.♥️

Allow God to lead.