Tag: grateful

Life

Keep Shining

Shaun Bradford

Let nothing or no one dim your glow. You were born for this. Keep shining!♥️ ~ Shaun

Smile. You got this!

Side Note: Every time I hear the phrase “Keep shining,” I also hear Dionne Warwick singing “That’s What Friends Are For.”

That’s What Friends Are For

Dionne Warwick Source: LyricFind

And I never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned
I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Well, you came and opened me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you
Oh and then for the times when we’re apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember

Oh, keep smilin’ and keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
Oh, that’s what friends are for

Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
‘Cause I tell you that’s what friends are for
For good times and for bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for (that’s what friends are for, ya)

On me for sure (count on me for sure, count on me for sure)
That’s what friends are for

Keep smilin’, keep shinin’

I love y’all. Keep shining!

Life

Divine Encounters

Shaun Bradford

Have you ever met someone who you connected with instantly? Like, no bad vibes at all. You know, someone you could be yourself around without feeling judged? Well, I met that person tonight. After talking to her for a while, we discovered that we knew each other through our business pages on Facebook. Once we recognized the connection, we hugged and had a conversation like two old friends. During our conversation, I told her that I had asked God for something specific and that she had provided it.

She left me with a few tasks to complete. Tasks God’s been prompting me to do but I keep putting off. She told me to text her when I finished. For two years I have been struggling with this one thing and in one encounter I received exactly what I needed.

Y’all, trust God. Trust Him to provide exactly what you need. The funny thing is I have heard it all before. However, the way she delivered the message was exactly the way I needed to hear it. I felt like it was actually coming from someone who was like me. We both realized our personalities were quite similar, very carefree and random; and we both trust God to provide all of our needs.

Grateful for our meeting.

Life

Living in My Dreams

Shaun Bradford

Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.

Maya Angelou

That was one of the quotes under today’s Facebook memories. As usual, I’m in tears (always emotional).

Several blogs ago, I mentioned that it had dawned on me that I am actually living in my dreams. That, in my 20s, I was too naive to recognize it and took so many opportunities for granted. Do y’all know I could have traveled all of Europe at the drop of a hat and didn’t because 1) I did not want to be there, 2) I didn’t want to travel alone (my boyfriend didn’t want to go anywhere) and 3) I always believed I would have other opportunities. Just reminiscing about how I so carelessly disregarded my blessings and opportunities makes me cringe. I had the world in my hands and didn’t even recognize it. Y’all, I had been given what I asked for – to work for an international company and travel the world – and because it did not come the way I envisioned, I blew it off.

Side Note: So I saw myself at the United Nations. Even saw myself in the Peace Corp. But I never ever considered that the Air Force would provide some of the same experiences. I mean, two weeks after basic training I was in Germany. When I tell you God will give you what you ask for! Whew! It was just a little too much. (Laughing)

Okay… Back to my story.

I will say that my life changed after I found out I was pregnant. It was the strangest feeling (I can still feel it now). It was like the blinders fell off and everything was new. By then, I only had a little over two months left in Germany. I booked two weekend tours – one was a tour along the Rhein River and the other was a tour of the Black Forest. I so vividly remember holding my stomach, which was still flat as a rock, and saying, “Now I have someone to travel with.” And I did.

Wish I could say that after I left Germany I readily embraced my blessings and opportunities, but I would be lying. Three years later, almost to the date, God dropped me in Turkey for two years. One of my dreams was to visit the Mediterranean region. And I was there! Receipts of how God works in my life.

Well, while I was in Germany, there were weekly tours to Cyprus and Greece, but I never went. Sadly, I was placed right there in the area – only a few hours away – and still did not go!! Y’all, I was there two whole years and made up excuses of why I couldn’t go. I did travel to a few places in Turkey, though. However, I didn’t take advantage of all of those opportunities either. I was near most places I had read about in the Bible and acted like it was a common thing to be so close. UGH!!

Okay…

I’m seeing a pattern here…

“Aha” moments all over the place!

I hate that it has taken me so long to recognize I am absolutely blessed. No, nothing has ever happened the way I imagined, but it has and is happening right before my very eyes. This time, I’m living in it!! I’m taking it all in. I will admit, I have missed some great opportunities, but it’s okay. Just like God dropped me in Turkey, He’ll send more opportunities and blessings. However, THIS TIME I’m embracing EVERYTHING!

I am actually living in my dreams! Blessed♥️

Y’all, this is all I have for you today. I pray you are living in your dreams. One way to know is to block out all distractions… you know, the worries, lack of, and negative energy… and only focus on the precious things you have (opportunities, health, family, love, etc.). Are you living in your dreams? I bet you are!

Have a blessed day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday, y’all!

Grateful.♥️

I set out to write about one of the first Facebook memories I came across this morning. It was a quote that read – “If you don’t build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.” My first response was to use it to expound on yesterday’s blog about being at a crossroads. However, I kept scrolling; and I am so thankful I did because I would have missed out on so many wonderful gems.

Y’all, sooo many wonderful things have happened over the past several years, and almost all happened during the month of March. Outside of my birthday month, which is June, March is absolutely beautiful.

So, today, I’m going to keep it beautiful by ending this blog now. I’m afraid if I say more I might tarnish this lovely moment. Just know that I’m beyond grateful for all of my gifts.

Wishing you a wonderfully, blessed week.

Shaun

Life

Balance

Shaun Bradford

Our life needs balance. There is no way we can truly live our best lives without it.

Yesterday, a friend of mine shared her personal journey with being self-disciplined. How at one point she was so disciplined that it became unhealthy. If you read either of yesterday’s blogs, that’s exactly what was happening with me. Now, I wasn’t as disciplined as her, but I was on my way there. For the longest, I have been trying to force myself to stay focused on my work by eliminating “distractions.” However, all I was doing was making myself sick. I cannot eliminate things from my life that actually bring we joy. I just can’t. So I have to find a way to balance it all.

Y’all have a blessed day.♥️ ~ Shaun