Tag: freedom

Life

Freedom

Shaun Bradford

Freedom

Breathe it…

Feel it…

Embrace it…

I believe one of the greatest freedoms of our time is the freedom of being hidden. The freedom of not being well known or always seen. The freedom of not having hundreds of thousands of followers. The freedom of not having to perform for people who will love you in one breath and curse you in the next. Freedom from the chains of clicks, impressions, views, and likes. The freedom to just be.

Freedom

Embrace it

Feel it

Breathe it

Own it

Y’all, our mental, emotional, and spiritual health is priceless. We must protect it at all costs. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Renaissance

Shaun Bradford

Y’all!! I can’t begin to describe what I am feeling right now. Just came from seeing Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Listen, after attending her concert I was on a high, but this time… y’all, words can’t even express what I am feeling! I love it when I connect with people. When people view life as I do. Beyoncé is another one of those people who gets what life is really about. It’s about love, peace, freedom—the freedom to BE—and people (community). Yeah…I’m pretty much on an emotional high right now. Life is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Boy, am I loving Year50.

Welcome to my renaissance!!!

Y’all, I’m here!!!

Good Night♥️

Shaun

Me being me because I am free to BE!!
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Soooo…I just noticed that I didn’t post a “Hello Sunday” blog. I was so excited about the memory I had found this morning that it completely slipped my mind.

Was thinking about the post I shared Friday about us showing up as ourselves. I wrote, “ALWAYS show up as YOU!” A few hours after I shared it, I attempted to show up as someone I was not, BUT…my authentic self showed up instead. My goal was to show up all polished, poised, and well-spoken. You know, all scholarly and stuff. However, I became excited about what I was discussing and the country, super expressive Shaun showed up instead. I was so embarrassed and disappointed. Thankfully, I was with a friend and colleague who told me that people really like my personality. She said that’s why they are drawn to me. For years I attempted to suppress it, and did so well for so long. Then something changed. Something happened and I began to let people see the real me and now it’s here. It’s here…she’s here…and I believe I am going to let her stay.

As my friend told me, some people will like my authenticity and some will not, and it’s okay. I agree. It is okay. I have to be me.

Y’all, THIS is Year50!♥️

Shaun

I believe I have reached yet another level of freedom. Woohoo!
Life

Know Who You Are

Shaun Bradford

Over the years, I have discovered one of the keys to knowing who you are is knowing who you are not.

I know who I am because I finally understand, and have accepted, who I am not.

I hate to admit that my road to self-discovery recently wrapped up–at least I believe it is over–during the last few days of my 40s. Maybe it was because I was so determined not to bring uncertainties and baggage into this half of my life. At the very end, up until a few days in, there were things I had to let go of, things I had held on to much longer than I should have. What I discovered was those things were hindering me from fully knowing and embracing my authentic self. Even though I knew God had made me different from others, I constantly questioned my worth and abilities. I also kept feeling behind or as if I had missed out on valuable opportunities.

I know I have only been on this side of 50 a very short while, but life really does seem different. I finally feel like I am dancing to the beat of my own drums. I no longer feel the anxiety and pressure of not being who or where I imagined I would be at this time in life. I contribute all of this to this year’s/half century’s theme–“Being present while residing in a space of peace.”

Y’all, just thinking… Christy Nockels’ book, The Life You Long For, really did prepare me for this.

Forever grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, He really does love me.

Thanks for reading. Wishing all of you a wonderful day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Fear

Shaun Bradford

Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

The Facebook memory I’m sharing below is from four years ago, April 11, 2019. It was written a few weeks after I signed the divorce papers that my ex refused to sign. Up until that day, not many of my friends or family on Facebook knew I was getting a divorce, let alone the things I was going through. And this was over four years after we had separated.

Well, on this particular day I had had enough. For years I was afraid he would kill me. In the memory I used the phrase, “my life would be taken,” to soften the blow for my readers. But it was sooo much deeper than that. I was scared. Like really scared for my life. The more he would tell me he wasn’t going to let me go, or send random texts about how much he loved me – and this was up until he finally signed the papers – the more afraid I became. It was rough. We hear about murder-suicides all the time, and for years, I just knew I would be a victim.

On April 11, 2019, I stopped being afraid. That day I declared my freedom.

Facebook Memory: April 11, 2019

Good Morning! No social media find, just my testimony. Warning: For those who hate when people put all of their business on social media – stop reading NOW!

For over four years I’ve been walking on eggshells. Trying to do everything just right, out of fear. I’ve been afraid my life would be taken at any moment. If not mine, my babies, or he would take his own life (what would that be like for my son). I prayed about it. Started working on my goals. Created a new life for me and my kids. However, there’s always one thing looming, fear. I keep my office door locked at work when no one’s there. I’m never alone with him. You may think I’m overreacting, but I don’t care. It’s what I feel. I’m tired of walking around in fear because he won’t let me go.

Today…today I’m releasing the fear and I’m going to live. That sheet of paper did not give him control over my life. Whether he signs the divorce papers or not, I’m living! And I’m living without fear! Life is too short to always be afraid.

Listen… I am so happy to be on the other side of that fear. To read the words and not feel the same sting feels absolutely amazing. For years, I could not imagine getting to this point, yet here I am. Y’all, God is so wonderful. I am truly, truly blessed.

Thanks for allowing me to share my story.♥️

Shaun

** Note: Never diminish someone’s feelings about being afraid. When they tell you that they fear for their life, believe them. Please do not act like they are overreacting. Sometimes they see and experience things you can’t understand. Also, what you may see as acts of love, another may see as torture. Be Blessed