Tag: gratitude

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s blog is a song by William Murphy, Praise is What I Do.

Praise is What I Do
by William Murphy
Courtesy of Musixmatch

Come on, song goes like this

Praise is what I do
When I wanna be close to You
I lift my hands in praise (oh, oh, come on)
Praise is who I am (let’s declare it church)
I will praise Him while I can
I’ll bless You at all times (I vow)

I vow to praise You (when you gon’ praise Him church?)
Through the good and the bad
I’ll praise You (whether happy or sad)
Whether happy or sad (I will)
I’ll praise You (thank you Jesus)
In all that I go through (yeah)
Because praise is what I do
‘Cause I owe it all to You

Praise is what I do (even when I’m going through)
Even when I’m going through (say, I finally learned church)
I’ve learned to worship You (yeah, yeah)
(And I declare)
No my circumstance (doesn’t even stand a chance)
Doesn’t even stand a chance (’cause my praise)
My praise outweighs the bad (so I vow to praise)

I vow to praise You (I need somebody to wave your hands and declare)
Through the good and the bad (I will)
I’ll praise You (doesn’t matter how I feel)
Whether happy or sad (I will)
I’ll praise You (in all that I go through)
In all that I go through
Because praise is what I do (I owe)
‘Cause I owe it all to You

This section was omitted from the online lyrics but is included in the song.
[Now I just need someone to open your mouth and give Him a crazy praise.
Somebody send the praise to the nation.
Somebody send the praise to Africa.
Somebody send the praise to China.]

Praise is what I do (open up your mouth church)
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Yes, church open up your mouth and somebody clap those hands and declare)

Praise is what I do
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Somebody [send] the praise to Germany)
(Somebody [send] the praise to France)

Praise is what I do (it’s what I do, yeah)
(It’s what I do, it’s what I do)
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Somebody [send a] praise to [Bankhead])
(Somebody [send a] praise to [Buckhead], yeah)
Praise is what I do
(Yeah)

Source: Musixmatch Songwriter: William Murphy III Praise Is What I Do lyrics © Lilly Mack Music, M3m Music

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

I cannot believe it’s already the last Wednesday in October! This year has really flown by. Y’all, 2022 is literally right around the corner. I have so many things coming up next year. So many adjustments to make.

First, my daughter will be turning 27 on January 27. Planning something big!

Then, my son graduates from high school in May 2022. We are already applying to colleges, signing up for college tours, and ordering graduation paraphernalia. Not sure if I’m ready for this.

Me.. What do I have planned for myself? Umm.. NOTHING. Which makes me kind of nervous because I knew this time was coming; however, I did not expect it to arrive so soon. I need to start planning for life on my own. Honestly, what will that look like?

One thing I know for sure is that over the next several months I have to be intentional about the moments I have with my two. I will try not to smother them, but I hope they are prepared to be loved on like crazy. Yes, I love my babies.

As always, thanks for reading and enjoy your Wednesday!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I believe God reveals things in stages. He reveals them when He knows we are equipped and ready to move to the next level. Whether we view the revelations as disappointments or blessings, every reveal or “aha” is always on time, and always meant for our good.

Last night, I had a major revelation that normally, I would have considered a disappointment rather than a blessing. Something that would have had me in tears. Believe me, part of me wanted to be sad, even throw a pity party, but I couldn’t. Subconsciously, I always knew the truth. Yeah.. I always knew. I guess last night God decided it was finally time for me wake up. So He hit me with something I could not deny – the truth in black and white, all spelled out. Honestly, if it had been revealed any sooner – even the day before – I would have had a meltdown.

I’m smiling because God is always on time. When He says it’s time to move, He means – it’s time to move!

So, now what? Now that I know the truth, what will be my next move?

Well, I know that everything I experienced was for a purpose. At this moment, I am not quite sure of what purpose. However, I plan to use what I have learned to guide me through the next part of my journey. As they say, when you know better, you do better.

Grateful

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Since Monday, I have been debating on whether or not to write about the late, and most definitely great, General Colin Powell.

Monday morning I woke up feeling wonderful! Had posted my quote for the day – CHANGE begins with me. Then I saw the news – “Colin Powell has died . . .” Y’all, I was not prepared for that news. I know.. death is always unpredictable. I just wish I’d had time to gather and control my emotions before I saw the news. You see, I was already preparing for the 2nd anniversary of my brother’s death, which was yesterday. I knew whose comments and posts to avoid on social media. I had already psyched myself up to be as upbeat as possible this week. Then, I saw the headlines. I couldn’t stop crying. Honestly, I felt like I had lost a very close loved one. The hurt was deep.

So, why such strong feelings?

Well, there are people I admire and then there are those I ADMIRE. He was one of the ones I ADMIRED. He was someone I truly wanted to meet. When Kofi Annan (late Secretary General of the United Nations) died, I had the same reaction. Y’all, I just knew I my heart that I would meet him. The only person I got to meet, who I really admired, was Chef Leah Chase. I was also sadden by her passing, but found comfort in knowing that I got to have a one-on-one conversation with her. I got to tell her how much I admired her. I also walked away with words of inspiration. That’s something I will always cherish. Sadly, I will never have that opportunity with Kofi Annan or Colin Powell.

Today, there are only a few on my list of people to meet. Honestly, I would be devastated if one of them passed without me at least shaking their hand or letting them know how they have inspired me. I really have to stop putting things off thinking that there will always be other opportunities. The reality is life is short and seems be be getting shorter. Whenever the opportunity knocks, I need to go for it!

In honor of General Colin Powell I’ll leave you with this, his 13 rules of leadership (Colin Powell’s 13 rules for how to lead by Share America):

1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

2. Get mad, then get over it.

3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

4. It can be done!.

5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.

8. Check small things.

9. Share credit.

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

11. Have a vision. Be demanding.

12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Rest in Power, General Colin Powell
It was an honor to have served under your leadership and command. You will be missed.

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday! Wishing all of you a fabulous day. Today I am carrying over yesterday’s suggestion to take things easy. For some reason, I found myself really tense yesterday. I could feel it in my back and neck. My daughter suggested that I get a massage but I declined. Woke up this morning feeling better but still tense. I know what happened. I allowed the mental stress of last week to build up. For months I managed to avoid being super stressed. Then last week it happened. Looking back I can see what happened. Making a mental note not to allow it to happen again. I cannot afford to go backwards. I must continue moving forward.

On a more positive note! Yesterday, I attended the first day of our national dietetics conference. Honestly, I had no intentions of attending the virtual conference. Virtual experiences just are not the same as in person experiences. Well, at the last minute I decided to attend and I am glad I did. During yesterday’s session, I had the opportunity to chat and tweet with other registered dietitians. Of course it was not the same as interacting with them in person, but it made me feel somewhat normal again. I’m attending more sessions today and tomorrow. Hopefully this is the last year we meet virtually. I need human contact. Smile

You know what, I can already feel the tension easing. This week is going to be a stress-free week because I am going to intentionally make sure it is.

As always, thanks for reading. Please enjoy your week!

Shaun