Tag: goals

hope

My Journey With God, No. 45

Shaun Bradford

While looking through an old notebook that I was using as a journal and as a study guide (not sure why I was using one notebook for both😩), I found a letter I had written but never sent to my sister. Here’s a snippet of what I wrote.

30 January 1993

At the time, I was 19 years old and stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany. Y’all, I was just a baby. However, even back then, I made note of gems that I still live by today:

  1. True happiness can only be found within. (Thanks, Master Splinter)
  2. God will place us where we desire to be, but it’s our responsibility to make things happen. (A good one, right?!)
  3. Life isn’t easy… but it’s so worth living.

As I mentioned in the letter, I was where I had always dreamed of being, but I wasn’t doing anything with the opportunity I had been given. Looking back, I realize no one in my circle had the same or similar goals or dreams. So, instead of venturing out and doing my own thing, I adapted to their world. From what I had written—“I don’t have any goals anymore.”—I believe I had lost hope.

How sad…

But very eye opening.

It’s so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people or our dreams and aspirations will suffer. Or…we must be strong enough to venture out and do our own thing to keep our dreams alive.

Life is interesting and God is good.

Forever grateful for His wisdom and love.♥️

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2024?! This year flew by, but by the grace of God, we’re still here! Hallelujah, we are still here.🙏🏽

On December 29, 2021, I shared—

“Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!”

I’m smiling because I spoke it, received it, and now I’m owning it. I’m not sure when I stopped viewing my life as chapters in a book. Maybe it was during or after the COVID pandemic, or maybe it was last year, my Year 50. All I know is I haven’t thought about another chapter or looked forward to something AMAZING in years. I don’t have to because I’m already living in it. My life is already AMAZING—it just keeps getting better!

Y’all, I am absolutely loving this side of 50! Thank You, Lord, for making this side different and better than I ever imagined.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with viewing your life in the context of chapters. As you can see, I also did. However, I’ve reached a point where I try to find the AMAZING in everyday moments instead of waiting for it to miraculously show up in the future. Life is just too precious and short to keep waiting for something amazing to happen when it’s already happening now. Just look around and you’ll see it. Then, once you see it, receive it and own it. It’s yours!

That’s all I have for you now. Wishing you an AMAZING, relaxing Sunday.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Prep Time is Up

Shaun Bradford
Trust God. He’s got you!🙏🏽

“I guess my prep time is up,” is what I wrote in my notes on December 24, 2020. I’m smiling because this message will forever be relevant, whether it’s next year or five to ten years from now. When you think about it, we are always preparing for something because God is always moving. He’s not a stagnant God. So, today, this message is for whatever God believes we are prepared to receive.

Smile, your preparation time is up. You’re ready!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 42

Shaun Bradford

Walking in my purpose, fulfilling God’s vision for my life.♥️ ~Shaun

Aligned

**Today I’m 51.5!🤭🥳 Celebrating every milestone as well. God is good. Beyond Blessed🥰

hope

My Journey With God, No. 41

Shaun Bradford

This past Saturday, I volunteered at two events. The first involved assisting with distributing over 2,000 pounds of fresh greens (collards, mustards, and turnips) to the community—many thanks to Mississippi farmers for their donation! The second involved providing winter wear and a hot meal to people experiencing homelessness. This was at a candlelight vigil held for individuals who lost their lives while being homeless (see We Are Thriving’s post below).

Years ago, I asked God for time to do what I really wanted to do—spread love and hope to underserved and unserved communities. I wanted to be able to actually connect and interact with the people I served. Unfortunately, every promotion I received limited those opportunities and connections, and I hated it.

Fast forward to today. I’m doing what I love! Last Friday, I met with a local veterans organization and made a few connections. I’m looking forward to assisting them in the future. Then, on Saturday, I had the two events. At the end of the candlelight vigil, the organizer recognized me for my assistance. Not for the work everyone saw but for what they didn’t see. She told them I was her prayer partner and encourager. Y’all, it was so unexpected. When I say I am truly, truly blessed, this is what I mean!

I am so grateful that God has allowed me to do what I love. I pray that His light and love shine through me and be passed on to others through everyone I touch. Yes, this is my prayer.♥️ ~Shaun

My post for We Are Thriving – A Candlelight Vigil for Lives Lost in 2024.

A Candlelight Vigil for Lives Lost in 2024
hope

Chosen On Purpose

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

God chose YOU on purpose for His purpose.

That’s the message.

God chose YOU on purpose for HIS purpose.

As I wrote three years ago, “let that sink in.“

Listen, no one—NO ONE—can do what you do. They may come close, but they will never be able to do what you were chosen to do. God placed a very specific, very unique key inside of YOU to unlock plans, dreams, and hopes others have been waiting for. There’s absolutely no other like you! Allow God to use you.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Chosen. God’s child.
hope

What Do You Want?

Shaun Bradford

I found this image in my March 15, 2021 journal entry. (See “I Woke Up Like This” for context.)

“How can you get what you want, if you don’t know what you want?”

Deep, right?

That day (March 15, 2021), I made a list of things I wanted for my business. However, several weeks ago, when I asked myself the same question, I answered it based on my core values and what I wanted most from life.

I have to agree with Michael Baisden. We’ll never get what we want if we don’t know what we want.

Just a little food for thought.

That one entry had soooo many gems. I’ll leave you with this quote from Bishop T. D. Jakes (also included in the entry)—

“God has positioned you for purpose.”

Actually, he said to write it down, so I did.

I am positioned for purpose.

YOU are positioned for purpose.

We were not created just to exist. No, we were created to fulfill a purpose. We’re already positioned to do so, so let’s move accordingly.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Don’t Throw In The Towel Yet

Shaun Bradford

Earlier this morning, a friend texted me a photo I sent them a few years ago. It was a list of things I wanted to achieve within five years (2019-2024). After reading the list, part of me wanted to focus on what I hadn’t accomplished, while the other part smiled at what I had. Y’all, I have only achieved two or maybe three out of seven things. The other four are still a work in progress. But guess what?! 2024 is not over yet! I still have a few more weeks to cross off another item or two. Smiling

On another note, when things don’t go as planned, please don’t dwell on it. Use it as an opportunity to do something else or try something new. Just think of it as God’s way of shaking things up to keep you moving.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

Never Lose Sight Of Your Purpose

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Be careful not to let your current situation (good or bad), emotions, lack of support, or other people cause you to lose sight of your purpose. Always keep your purpose in sight.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Shared on December 2, 2021.

hope

Do You Know What You Want?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

On November 28, 2021, I was reading Will Smith’s memoir, WILL. Meant to share this yesterday but forgot. When I tell you I took sooooo many notes. If you haven’t read it, it is so worth reading. Here’s an excerpt from my entry.

Shaun’s Journal Entry: November 28, 2021

“JL or James Lassiter asked Will these questions while trying to figure out what Will really wanted. Will had no real direction just wanted not to ever be broke again and to be able to have fun. 

Questions:

What is the dream? 

What are you trying to build?

What do you want?

Stephen Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said there are only two human problems: (1) knowing what you want, but not knowing how to get it; and (2) not knowing what you want.”

Again, I loved this memoir!

I believe we must ask ourselves JL’s questions from time to time to see if our answers have changed. Is our dream still the same? What are we trying to build? What do we want? Even though I am now on the other side of 50, the core (which I believe is most important) of my answers remain the same. I know what I want.

For years, I used to dwell on what Steven Covey listed as the first problem—knowing what I wanted but not knowing how to get it. However, today, I don’t even think about how I’m going to get it anymore. God is finally the captain of my ship and I’m sitting back enjoying this ride called life. I trust Him to get me to wherever I belong. He knows best. Listen, life is so much better when we allow God to lead, and when we’re obedient.

Question:

Do you know what you want? Your core desires, not the superficial ones.

This is all for now. Thanks for reading. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!♥️

Love you,

Shaun