Tag: God’s plan

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

Are You Following Your Passion?

Shaun Bradford

Follow your passion and God’s guidance. Be open to where He’s leading you, even if it is unclear. Maybe the check will come or maybe not. But, the joy, experience, and knowledge you will gain will be worth so much more. One day it will all make sense.♥️ ~Shaun

Shared this on April 19, 2022 with the caption, “It’s simple. Follow your passion.🦋” Question: Are you following yours?
Life

Embrace Your Gift

Shaun Bradford

When I went to share my previous post, a Facebook memory from 2022, on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, I decided to change it up a little bit. Here’s what I shared.

God has given you a beautiful gift that was meant to be shared with the world. Don’t keep it to yourself. Use it and SHINE!✨

Yesterday, on my way to the beach, I listened to Lewis Howes’ conversation with Tabitha Brown, You’ve Been Blocking Your Blessings! …. When I tell you that was another conversation that was God sent. So much of Tab’s story about dreams and hearing from God resonated with me. It was so nice to see that I am not alone. I know some of the things I post may sound a bit off, especially when I start talking about feeling shifts in the atmosphere and feeling the need to pray at specific times, but it’s so real. So very real. She also spoke about being obedient to God. How important it is to follow God’s guidance. How she tried doing it everyone else’s way, but it wasn’t until she started walking in her truth that she began to see her dreams being manifested. And her dreams didn’t even measure up to the blessings God actually bestowed upon her.

Listen, I needed that confirmation—which is something she also talked about. I needed to know that I am not crazy for doing what I know I have been led to do. This year, Year50, is the first time I have fully released control and have allowed God to guide and work how He sees fit. This time I actually meant it when I said, “whatever comes and whatever goes, I will be alright.” Y’all, I’m cool. I am so loving this space I am in. It’s a place of peace and surrender. It’s knowing that no matter what happens, God’s got me.

Right now, I am currently using my gifts and being obedient to God. It doesn’t matter if I reach one soul or millions, I am walking in my purpose and calling, and it feels wonderful! Y’all, I can’t say it enough, I am truly blessed.♥️

Shaun

“The Gift” by Donald Lawrence
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

Chosen By God

Shaun Bradford

You may not feel it, might not even believe it, but you were chosen for a reason and this season. God could have chosen anyone else, but He chose you. You already know what you have been called to do. God did not call anyone else to fulfill your purpose. No, He called you. It’s time for you to step up and walk in your calling.♥️ ~Shaun

Don’t worry, you will not fail. How can you? You were chosen by God!
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.
Life

Embrace Who You Are

Shaun Bradford
One of my first graphics. LJB2019

As you can see, I have been creating my own graphics for a while now. Seeing how far I have come makes me smile. I smile because I found something that I really enjoy doing. I smile because I did not stop because my graphics did not look like everyone else’s. For some reason I wanted mine to be just as unique as me. Lastly, I smile because I cannot wait to see what it evolves into. What was once LJB2019 became LJBSmiles, Shaun’s Smile, LaShaundrea, LaShaundreaB, and now Shaun’s Daily Inspiration. I believe Shaun’s Daily Inspiration is the one I am going to stick with.

Here is what I wrote on the day that I created the graphic.

Facebook Memory: April 8, 2019

Good Morning! This morning I decided to create my own social media find.😉 We’re all different. We are like pieces of a puzzle. Our unique gift/talent is needed to complete the puzzle. So don’t sleep on your gift because it’s needed. Always remember, YOU matter. You have a purpose.

My gifts and talents are definitely unique to me and provide something only I can. This is me fitting perfectly in the space God designed just for me.

Embracing who God designed me to be and evolving.

Wishing you a wonderful week! Don’t let too much stress you out. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, take a break and breathe. You deserve a stress free life.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: April 7, 2022

It’s interesting that I shared this post four years ago while attending the same conference I’m at today. Ironically, this message is more relevant today than it was then. God has a way of bringing things full circle, even messages.

I originally shared this photo on April 7, 2018.

At the time of the original share, I was in the process of rebuilding trust—in myself, in those around me, and in my ability to achieve my goals and dreams. I honestly thought it would be easy. Little did I know it would take several years and cycles of reflecting, regrouping, refocusing and rebuilding, to get to where I am today.

Today, I trust myself. I trust myself to make wiser choices. I trust myself to take care of Shaun. Yes, I finally realize I matter, too. Don’t know why it took me so long to accept this fact. Guess I owe it all to Year50.

I also have a good group of people around me who I trust; who I know have my best interests at heart. God has been weeding people out while strengthening my current relationships. My circle is getting smaller but growing stronger.

As far as me trusting in my ability to accomplish my goals and dreams, I am there. I know I can. A few blogs ago, I wrote about my confidence being restored. Well, I owe that to actually trusting myself to do what I set out to do. Things have always been moving in the right direction; however, my confidence and trust and belief in myself had to catch up. Took a minute—a long minute to rebuild this one—but it’s all back! Grateful

This is it for now. Wishing you a restful Sunday.♥️

Take Care,

Shaun

Life

Second Chances

Shaun Bradford
Blessed.🙏🏽

Do you believe in second chances? Do you believe that missed opportunities actually come around again? Well, I do. I am currently experiencing it. Had no idea it was about to happen. Know this, the dream(s) God placed inside of you will come to pass…when you are ready. You may have thought you missed your chance or fumbled the first opportunity, but you didn’t. The first time was just a test run. Will share more soon.

Listen, I do not care how tempting it is to settle, or how bleak things may seem, do not give up on your dreams. They will happen.

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun