Tag: gratitude

Life

Self Love

Shaun Bradford
Originally shared on February 12, 2022

I used to believe doing something nice for myself was self love. I would buy myself something nice, treat myself to a fabulous meal, get a massage, or spend the day doing either everything I wanted to do or nothing at all. That was my definition of self love. Now… Now, it’s more about protecting my peace and my holistic wellbeing with my spiritual and mental wellness being most important.

Here are a few things I have finally learned and implemented:

– Saying “no” to things I don’t want to do, and without feeling guilty (yeah…it used to weigh on me), is self love. “No” is a complete sentence. No explanation needed.

– Protecting my space (physically and mentally) is self love. I am so mindful of who and/or what I allow into my space. Discernment has been key.

– Receiving good things without feeling like I don’t deserve them is self love. Yes, I deserve good things. I deserve God’s best. I mean, I am His child! Smile

– Being nurtured instead of always being the nurturer is self love. Listen, once you have been on the receiving side you can’t imagine settling for anything less.

– Putting myself and my needs first is self love. I believe this has allowed me to love even deeper. It has definitely strengthened my relationship with God.

It took me forever to get here (decades). And now that I am finally here I have no intentions of going back to life as it was. I love it here. Smiling

Guess you could say this is life beyond Year50.

I pray you have found true self love. Believe me, it’s beautiful and so peaceful.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
You were chosen for this.

Happy Sunday! Over the last few years, I have written about being “chosen” so I am going to continue with the same theme. Here are a few captions from past years:

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself asking God, “Why me?”. His answer is always, “I chose YOU.”

I’m not going to lie, sometimes I have a hard time understanding why my life is as it is. Then I’m reminded that although small, I’m still a piece of God’s beautiful puzzle – uniquely made, will only fit where I’m designed to be, and will noticeably be missed if I don’t show up. It also means He’s confident that I can achieve any task He’s assigned.♥️

Whenever I wonder why God chose me, I’m reminded that He hand picked and uniquely designed me to fulfill a particular purpose that ONLY I can fulfill. I was chosen. Same with you! YOU are the ONLY one who can fulfill your unique purpose. YOU were chosen!♥️

Whew! I do not know about you, but being chosen does not always feel like an honor. Sometimes it feels like a burden.

Now, I know the word “chosen” sounds all glamorous and only applies to a select few. However, that’s not so. You, my friend, were also chosen. Smile. Whether you believe it or not, or wanted to be or not, you were chosen to fulfill God’s plan.

As I mentioned earlier, we are all pieces of God’s beautiful puzzle and here to fulfill a purpose. Although we see ourselves as one dimensional pieces, we are actually one of a kind, multi–dimensional pieces. Every facet of our lives are either fulfilling a purpose or meeting a need that only we can. We are so uniquely made that when we try to fit into other spaces we never quite fit. It’s because it’s not where we were chosen to be.

That’s all for now! It’s still early so I think I will go back to sleep. Wishing you a fabulous Sunday. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are The Gift

Shaun Bradford
Your matter.

Facebook Memory: February 10, 2022

Gifts are nice and ALWAYS appreciated. However, it’s so important to recognize nothing can replace the gift of your presence. Whether physically or virtually, your presence is priceless. You ARE the gift!

Even though we are gifts to others, let’s remember to appreciate our gifts. Those who God placed in our lives to love and support us. They are priceless. Getting emotional as I think about my gifts. We must hold them dearly.

Side note: You will not be everyone’s gift, nor them yours. Learned this a lot over the past few years. I used to consider everyone a gift. They may have been for someone, but they were not for me. Yeah…took me forever to get this through my head. Listen, treasure your true gifts (don’t be fooled by the fake—the ones who pretend to love on you while intentionally draining you) and let the others go.

This is all for now. Didn’t mean to end on a sour note, but we really have to be careful. As I said before, I am learning. Anyhoo… Wishing you a lovely day and beautiful weekend! One of my gifts (my daughter) is coming home to visit! Can’t wait to love on her!!♥️

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

.

Life

Question: What Makes You Smile?

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: February 9, 2023

What makes you smile?🌺

Me: Love. Kindness. Compassion. Happiness. Other smiles. Music. Great food. Good company. My babies (now adults☺️). Life.

Truthfully, God makes me smile. The way He loves me makes me smile. Y’all, I am soooo very blessed.♥️

Shaun

Life

Worthy of All Good Things

Shaun Bradford

Repeat after me:

“I am worthy of ALL good things.”

Repeat as many times as needed, especially when doubt and negativity attempt to creep in and convince you otherwise. YOU, my friend, are worthy of ALL good things. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun

Today’s theme song is “Good Energy” by Yung Wylin.
Life

Gratitude: What Are You Most Grateful For?

Shaun Bradford
Originally shared on February 7, 2022

I am most grateful to be alive. Grateful that I have another chance to love on my babies; another chance to experience something exciting and new (why am I hearing the Love Boat theme song—smile); another chance to accept or decline opportunities; another chance to make better decisions; another chance to live…to really live.

Of course I am grateful for so much more…including YOU! Thank you for taking the time to drop in and read my posts. I truly appreciate you.♥️

Now, it’s your turn. What are you most grateful for?

Shaun

Life

Do You Know What You Desire To Achieve?

Shaun Bradford

Do you know what you truly desire to achieve—in life, your relationships, and/or your career? If so, are you actively pursuing your desire(s). If not, why not? What’s stopping you?

Facebook Memory: February 4, 2022

Me… To be happy! To enjoy this life God has blessed me with. To be a blessing to others. To spread love, hope, and joy in everything I do. I want others to know and feel they are loved. This is what I truly desire.

That’s all I have for now. By the way, this is my 995th consecutive day of posting! Woohoo!! Five more days until 1000!!! Can’t you tell I’m excited?! Listen, I keep myself hyped!! Laughing. Can’t wait to celebrate!!!

Okay…I’m done. Enjoy the rest of your day and I will talk to you tomorrow.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

This morning I am torn between sharing the song that’s currently in my head or, not one, but several Facebook memories. The song has nothing to do with the memories. It’s just what I woke up hearing.

Hmm…. Let’s see what I decide.

Well, I went to my journal for inspiration, and my entry from last year basically summed up the Facebook memories I was thinking of sharing. So, I guess I will share a snippet of what I wrote.

Journal Entry: February 4, 2023

Today’s quote was, “Keep Showing Up.” I’m learning more and more that my dreams are not meant to be given up on. Even when I feel like things just aren’t going to happen or everything is pointless, God shows me otherwise. Those goals that I wrote down years ago, as well as the dreams I had as a little girl, they’re all going to come to fruition. What I imagined over 40 years ago, I will have. I just have to keep showing up and allowing God to lead.

I ended the entry with–

Lord, I’m trusting You to do it Your way. Amen

Honestly, I really don’t need to write more. I believe that said it all. The only thing I will add is, no matter what, do not give up on your dreams. Many of mine are over 40 years in the making and I still have not given up so you don’t either. Love you!♥️

Shaun

P.S. That song that’s currently stuck in my head is “Exhale” by Whitney Houston. I know, very random, but that’s me. Smile

Life

Joy

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: January 30, 2023

Joy (Merriam-Webster): a source or cause of delight

Hold closely those things that bring you joy.♥️

What are some things that bring you joy?

Me…

Seeing people smile and laugh, especially my two. Knowing God loves me unconditionally. Seeing and feeling the sunshine. Good food. Great company. Chatting with my sisters and friends—I love our bond. Being loved. Feeling loved.

I will also add…

Knowing that every day is a new beginning—an opportunity to become a better version of myself. Lastly, knowing that my future will be brighter than my past. The best is yet to come.

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with love, laughter, and joy.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Stay Encouraged

Shaun Bradford

Do you have inspirational quotes randomly placed throughout your house? Well, I do. From sticky notes to the screensavers on my phone and laptop, they are everywhere. I intentionally placed them where I can see them so I will not have to look far for a boost of encouragement. Let me tell you, it works!

Was sitting at my desk thinking about how I should have handled something differently. Was really beating myself up over it, and then I looked up and saw these two quotes.

This one made me smile.😊

This one reminded me that this too shall pass.♥️

Now, I am smiling. The thing I was beating myself up over seems like something of the past, even though it was less than an hour ago. One of the reasons I create and share inspirational messages is because I know how easy it is to become discouraged. One word, thought, or conversation can trigger negative emotions. Keeping something positive near is essential.

I pray you are having a great day. Be blessed!♥️

Shaun