Tag: dreams

Life

Purpose Part 3

Shaun Bradford

Decided to continue my Purpose series (didn’t know it would become one). For years, I have known what my purpose was/is; however, I have never known how to fully embrace it. My purpose is connected to my dreams and part of my DNA, and there are people attached to them.

Here is another Facebook memory (had so many gems today, some I shared elsewhere):

Facebook Memory: June 8, 2019

Happy Saturday! Here’s today’s social media find. Progress IS progress. Encourage others, but also encourage yourself. It’s true, we’re usually our own worst critic. Just because you’re not where you thought you’d be by now, doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

This is where journals come in handy. Journals allow us to look back and see how far we’ve actually come. Believe me, if you’re better off than you were a year ago (like me 🙋🏽‍♀️), then you’re making progress. So cut yourself some slack. You’re doing great! Remember, God is working!!

It’s definitely been slow, but continuous. Had a few setbacks but I kept going, and will keep going. Photo Credit: Unknown

This was my first time serving as President-Elect. Beyond grateful for second chances. I had so much more to give, so much more to do. Listen, even when you have given up on your dreams, God has not given up on you. Your purpose is much too great for you not to keep going.

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Make Your Story Beautiful

Shaun Bradford

A few years ago, I shared the following image with the caption, “What are you writing? Hope it’s something beautiful.”

Shared on Facebook on June 6, 2021. (Photo credit: Unknown)

None of us knows what the future holds. Most of the time we look at it through the lens of our past. If we are not careful, we will continue to write and create the same stories.

This year (Year50), and my mom’s death, forced me to stop and reflect on the limiting patterns and stories I kept repeating and creating. Some I had been doing my entire life. I couldn’t seem to let certain parts of my past go. Not so much physically, but mentally. However, once I decided this side of 50 would be different, I intentionally began to make it different. And I am still doing so. It’s an ongoing process that I am committed to continuing. Not sure where my story will take me, but I do know—not believe—it will be beautiful.

I pray your future is just as beautiful. My advice is to release control and allow God to do the rest.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Side note: I used to be terrified of giving God complete control. Didn’t fully trust Him with my future. (Being transparent.) I believed He would bypass my dreams and aspirations to only fulfill His purpose and plan. Now I realize my dreams and aspirations were always part of His purpose and plan. He’s the one who gave them to me. So I have to trust Him to do the rest.

This is Year50…

Life

Full Circle Moments

Shaun Bradford

Where do I begin?! Y’all, I wish I wasn’t such an emotional person. My daughter keeps telling me it’s just me. Cancer is my zodiac sign, and she swears I exhibit every single trait. Laughing.

On June 1, 2015 (I can’t believe it’s been nine years), I took office as the president-elect of our state’s dietetics association. Today, nine years later, I am assuming that role, again! This is a three-year commitment—president-elect, president, and then past president. Several posts ago, I mentioned that I had left favor on the table. Well, this is one of those favors I was referring too. Y’all, this favor was packed with opportunities. Opportunities that I believe would have gotten me closer to where I had dreamed of being. However, life happened and I didn’t know how to handle both—life and the opportunities. Well, life won.

As they say, everything happens for a reason, and I am beginning to accept the fact that some of those reasons I may never know. Life is funny like that. However, I do know I have been granted a second chance, a do over, and this time I am going to keep going. I have to keep going.

Y’all, when I tell you God is so good and His love is unmatched! Returning to office wasn’t even on my radar. I had given up on that dream. Had written it off as one of those things that had run its course. Now, here I am again, much wiser, more equipped, and better prepared to see this dream come to fruition.

This is my Year50!

Year51 is loading…

Hello June!❤️

Shaun

Life

Happy Monday

Shaun Bradford

Found the following images in my Facebook memories. Couldn’t decide which to share so I decided to share both.

Photo Credit: Unknown

On May 27, 2018, I added the following caption when I shared the image above:

I saw this in a tweet and decided to share. When I describe my life to others, I always say my life is full of adventures, and this is EXACTLY what I mean. One roller coaster ride after another. I’m so grateful I know God. He keeps me grounded. Amen

Yes, life is like a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs and twists and turns, but God continues to keep me grounded. I am so grateful for my relationship with Him. Without it, I am not sure where I would be today.

This next image represents who I have become—a woman of vision and faith. The dreams are slowly, but truly, becoming a reality. I am loving this space I am in.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Praying you have a wonderful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Thought I’d leave you with a little cuteness. He’s getting so big! I just love being an auntie.🥰
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday! So, below is my Facebook memory from five years ago. Smiling because I mentioned my plans for before and after Year50. Have I lived up to them? Hmmm…

Facebook Memory: May 26, 2019

Good Morning! No social media find this morning, only my random thoughts.☺️

Change is inevitable. It has to happen. It’s not always easy because it requires action, and sometimes action means leaving our comfort zones.

In less than a month, I’ll be 46 years old. I’m almost 50, y’all! Unbelievable! Anyhoo.. I often sit back and think about the things I’ve already accomplished, and smile. I’ve accomplished more than I’ve ever imagined. Which is awesome! However, I have so much more to do.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this one goal- work like crazy the first 50 years and the other 50, do whatever I please. Well, I have 4 more years. Lol! I love adventures. Let’s see what I can accomplish within the next four years.😆

Well…

Back then, I could not have imagined that COVID-19 was headed our way and everyone’s lives would change. At that time, my plan was to finish working like crazy until I reached 50. Had no idea I would resign from my job two years later and venture out on my own. Honestly, I would have laughed if someone had told me I would have because I couldn’t see it. I was okay with my side hustle.

So, when I think about it, I actually began doing whatever I pleased prior to Year50. I may not be where I would love to be right now (it’s coming); however, this freedom over 50 is like no other. Not only am I free to make fluid decisions in regard to my career path, but I am free to live life as I please. Y’all, I really am loving life on this side of 50.

Year51 is loading…

Praying you have a beautiful day. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Year 50: Month 11

Shaun Bradford

Smiling from ear to ear! Y’all, it’s the final month of my jubilee year! YAY!!!

Today, I can happily report that I am not the same person I was last year. Not the same at all! I asked God to make this side of 50 different, and He is doing just that. Not much has changed physically or outwardly since last year; however, so much has changed internally. Y’all, my mindset is different. If you know anything about the process of change, you know that it has to happen in the mind first. When I tell you I am soooo very proud of me!

In last year’s journal entry, I listed 50 things I wanted to achieve over the next 10 years. The list was very random. I even wrote to write the first things that came to mind, not to overthink it. Well, after revisiting the list, I believe everything I wrote is actually achievable. I can see and feel myself achieving them.

I also wrote, and will end with this:

“God, thank You for being patient with me.”

Y’all, I’m blessed.♥️

This is Year50

Shaun