Tag: goals

hope

Celebrating Every Success

Shaun Bradford

On September 3rd, I wrote (see “No More Hiding God’s Greatness”):

When was the last time you publicly celebrated your achievements? Is it something you find easy to do? Asking because I have always found it difficult, until recently. Now, I celebrate even the smallest of successes. … I mean, how can I fully represent God if I continue to downplay the magnitude of His greatness in my life? Y’all, He’s been too good to me. As I have said many times before, I am beyond blessed.

Y’all, I’m staying true to what I wrote. No more hiding what God’s doing. I also wrote in that post that back in 2016-2017 barely anyone knew I was the president of our state’s dietetics’ association. The only ones who knew were the dietitians who belonged to the organization, and some of them probably didn’t even know if they weren’t active. Don’t get me wrong, I was honored to hold the position; however, I was too humble for my own good to walk in it. Today, I realize that when you downplay your role, not only do you limit your effectiveness, but you limit your reach. You limit what God can do. Lesson learned.

Here I am today…

My first time in this position was nine years ago (2015-2016). Next year I’ll be president again. Thanking God for second chances!

Listen, when God places a dream in your heart—it will be. When I first held the position nine years ago, I felt as if I was finally walking in my purpose. I just knew that I was where I belonged, and it was only up from there. Then, life happened, and things didn’t go as expected. So, after I had served my three years (president-elect, president, and past president), I assumed that part of my life was over.

But it wasn’t…

Never in a million years did I expect to do it again. Even up until the moment I was asked if I’d consider running, the thought had never crossed my mind. However, once it was out there, I was reminded that I had said on this side of 50 I would not say “No” to things and opportunities that aligned with my purpose. And this still aligns with my purpose. So, instead of saying “No,” I said “Yes.”

Ha!! And to think I thought that part of my life was over.

Listen… DO NOT give up!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

The Little Engine

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: September 17, 2022

Keep moving. You’ve come too far to give up on your dreams, goals and purpose. Just because you can’t see or feel God working, doesn’t mean He isn’t. Imagine if you were to quit today and tomorrow everything was set to fall in place. Again– Keep moving!♥️

Honestly, most of the time I feel like the “Little Engine That Could”. Like I’m living on this steep hill, and although I’m moving forward, it’s a struggle and barely noticeable. One stall and I might slip. Then, I’ll have to start all over. So, I never truly stop. Nope, I keep moving. An inch here and several there, but I never stop moving. It’s little reminders like this (the gems I’ve left myself over the years) that have kept me going.

I’m not going to quit. God’s brought me too far to stop now.

I pray you’re moving in the direction of your goals and dreams, even if you’re not moving fast. Remember, God’s timing is everything. Just keep moving! Things will happen right on time.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

What Do You Want Most?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! Today’s Facebook memory will definitely make you stop and think.

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” –Author Unknown

Originally shared on September 10, 2018.

What do you want most?

That’s a question I asked myself six years ago, and one I continue to ask myself today whenever I’m faced with tough choices. What do I want most?

I’m a foodie. So, for me, it’s like having to choose between my favorite appetizer now—and I’m starving, haven’t eaten all day—and my favorite meal (cooked to perfection), but I have to wait 45 minutes before I can eat it. Mind you, I can only choose one…and I’m starving…and everyone else is eating. Of course, both will break the fast; however, only one will truly satisfy me. So, which do I choose? The quick fix or the one that’ll last?

Question—Are you disciplined enough to wait for what you want most? Better yet, do you even know what you want most? (That question just came to mind.) Because how can you choose if you don’t know? Food for thought.

Anyhoo… those are all questions I’ve asked myself over the years. Today, I know what I want most and I am not settling for less. As I keep saying, this side of 50 is different, and I’m loving it!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Discernment – Are You Using It?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! Today’s Facebook memory is a great reminder to use discernment when making decisions. Especially when making decisions that are potentially life changing. Here’s what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: September 6, 2022

Discernment– the ability to judge well: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.

God has given each of us the ability to discern whether or not something is in our best interest. If it’s not, let it go. If it is, embrace it. Discernment is one of our superpowers. Be sure to use it.♥️

That’s it for now. Remember, God has given us all the power of discernment. Let’s use it. Our purposes are too great for us not to.

Love ya.♥️

Shaun

hope

Reassurance

Shaun Bradford

Here’s a little reassurance for anyone who needs it. Listen, be patient. I know it’s easier said than done. However, if God said it, it will be. As I wrote three years ago, everything will happen in God’s appointed time—when He knows you are prepared to receive [it]—when you’re ready. I’m not just saying this because it sounds good and encouraging. I’m saying it because I know it to be true.♥️ ~Shaun

TikTok’s On This Day…

hope

Success

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

Our road to success may seem never ending. However, we must continue moving forward as if our big break is only moments away. That’s hope.

Facebook Memory: August 27, 2019

Good Morning!☀️
Here’s today’s social media find. DO NOT GIVE UP! Success does not happen overnight. We refer to some as “overnight” successes, but in reality, they’ve been working on their craft for a while. Think about all of the social media celebrities. Most of us saw them when they first started making videos. They didn’t give up. They practiced their craft until it was so good that others wanted to share it.

If you have an idea or vision, that’s been nagging you for years, do it. Maybe all of the pieces aren’t in place, and you feel like making a move is pointless. Believe me, it’s not! Do something. Work towards it. Just don’t sit idle and one day wish you would have tried. The road to success will not be easy. DON’T GIVE UP! (This isn’t just for you, it’s for me too!☺️)

Image Credit: EntrepreneurshipFacts.com via Facebook (2019)

Do not give up!

Keep going!

Stumble.

Fall.

Get back up.

Keep going.

It will happen.

Sooner than later.

Smile.😊

Remain hopeful and optimistic. You’ve got this! Love you.♥️

Shaun

hope

Your Dreams Are Not Too Big

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! I have two Facebook memories to share. Couldn’t decide which I wanted to share most so I decided to share both. They were both shared six years ago, and from the order of my memories, I shared this one first.

Facebook Memory: August 19, 2018

“Today’s social media find! If you dream it, you can have it. Oftentimes it’s not other people. It’s our own self-doubt that holds us back. Whenever doubt tries to step in, shut it DOWN! Let doubt know you’ve got this!”

I used the hashtags #NeverGiveUp and #StayFocused (Photo Credit: Unknown)

Then, the next post I shared, which was probably much later that day, was about a dream that didn’t come to fruition. Here’s what I shared.

Photo Credit: Black History Mini Docs created Neema Barnette and Reed R. McCants. Great resource for History. Click the link and check them out! They’re also on TikTok.

Kofi Annan’s death hit me like Colin Powell’s did, very hard. They were two icons I really wanted to meet. Like, there are people you want to meet and there are people you need to meet. I felt as if I needed to meet them both and somehow missed the opportunity. Maybe our souls met lifetimes before that’s why I felt the need so strongly. Anyhoo… Even though I didn’t get to meet them, I did meet Leah Chase, who was at the top of my list of people to meet. My heart still smiles when I think of our brief encounter. So, dreams do come true. Maybe not all but the ones that are meant to, do. Smile

That’s all for now. Wishing you a lovely day and spectacular week!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Your Dreams & Goals Are Attainable

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

From what I have seen and heard through others’ testimonies, as well as a few of my own life experiences, no matter how long it takes, your dreams and goals will eventually come to pass.

Eventually…

Honestly, sometimes eventually sounds like never.

If you’re still waiting on eventually to come, I have a few questions for you—

1) Are you still working towards your dreams and goals even if you have mentally checked out?

2) Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to attain them?

Last one, which is one I’ve asked myself—

3) Do you actually want to achieve your dreams and goals? Basically, are they your dreams or someone else’s, or are they things you no longer want to have/do?

Here’s what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: August 12, 2022

Your dreams and goals ARE attainable. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • Am I putting in the work?
  • Am I making the necessary sacrifices?
  • Do I actually want it?👀

Dig deep! If you REALLY want it, make the sacrifices and work for it!♥️

Your dreams and goals are attainable. Don’t give up!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Blessed.

Hello! I’m hoping you’re doing well. I realize I haven’t greeted you in ages, which is pretty rude of me. It’s like me walking into a room and not speaking, or waking up and not saying “Good Morning.” Please forgive me for not acknowledging you before sharing my thoughts. I promise to do better and not only let you know you are loved at the end, but that your presence is appreciated at the beginning.

So, while looking for inspiration for this post, I found this prayer in one of my “Wednesday Writings” (July 21, 2021). It is one I haven’t said in a while or been mindful of. Here it is —

“I pray that I recognize and accept the opportunities He [God] sends my way. I pray fear does not stop me from moving forward. I pray God gives me the strength– mentally, spiritually and physically– to endure this task.”

I ended it with —

“I know God’s got me, but do I have myself?”

Hmmm…

That was a great question. Did I have myself? Well, I thought I did, and to some extent I did. However, I was still working through a lot of stuff. One of which was learning to put myself first. To stop overlooking my needs, desires, and feelings to appease others. That was in 2021. Today, I can’t say I am 100% there; however, I am pretty close (95-98%). Had to get over the guilt of feeling selfish. The interesting part is the ones who mattered the most, my two hearts, were the ones urging me to take care of myself, first. Maybe they are actually the reason for my growth. I just love them and the way they love me. I guess I said all of that to say, “Yes, I got me!”

I also found another gem in the post (besides the prayer). I was celebrating my continual days of writing. Here’s what I wrote —

“I’m on my 67th day of continuous blogging and refuse to stop until I reach 100 days.”

100 days…

100 days was my goal…

Y’all, I’m in tears! Today makes 1170 days of continuous blogging. And to think I was only trying to make it to 100. Back then I was struggling to post once a day. Now, I’m posting at least twice a day, and not only on this platform but others. Yep… I’m crying. I had no idea of what I was capable of. It may not seem significant to you but it’s huge to me. These are my 1170 blue hearts.💙

I’m going to go ahead and end here because I’m crying (tears of praise and gratitude) too much to keep writing. Praying you have a wonderful Sunday. ♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Believe In Yourself

Shaun Bradford

Believe in yourself and your abilities. If God put the dreams and goals inside of you, know that you are capable of achieving them. You got this!♥️ ~Shaun

♥️