Tag: growth

hope

Questions I Asked Myself

Shaun Bradford

Hello! How are you? Yep, I’m speaking first. Smile. You are much too important for me not too. Believe me, you really do matter.💕

While reading past journal entries, which I do pretty often, I came across a few questions I had asked myself. I was in the process of addressing a few hurts and making this side of 50 different from the last. Although I did not have an answer for them at that time, and some I am still working on, I began to intentionally observe the things that were happening around me and to me, and how they were affecting my life.

Here’s what I asked myself:

1. What is it about me that the devil does not want to succeed?

2. What does God have for me that is so great that I must stay broken so that it will not happen?

3. Where do I see myself if I do not heal?

Several posts ago I wrote, “Healing begins when we acknowledge our pain.” I saw the future of the unhealed version of me and the future of the healed version, and decided I wanted the healed version. Which meant I had to push through the pain.

Now, just being transparent, I am still a work in progress. Just like weight gain and weight loss, neither happens overnight. Both happen gradually. And for those who happen to lose it fast, if their behavior doesn’t change and their mindset isn’t right, the change won’t last. I want my healing to last so I am putting in the work to make it happen. The successful, healed version that the devil does not want to succeed is my goal.

Have you had to ask yourself similar questions? Just asking because I know I can’t be the only one who has needed to heal, or is healing.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

hope

Growth

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: July 22, 2023

Lessons are necessary for growth, and life is filled with lessons. Be sure to build on what you have learned, whether from wins or losses. It’s growing season.♥️

I am actually enjoying this stage of my growing season. So many lessons and blessings. Learning and growing.☺️
hope

Sweet Jesus, I’m Still Here!

Shaun Bradford

That’s how my journal entry from July 20, 2017 started, “Sweet Jesus, I’m still here!” I was praising God despite what I was going through at the time. And after reading that particular entry, that basically spelled out everything I was dealing with, I had to humble myself and thank God for where I am today. Y’all, I made it!

The things I am currently dealing with are nowhere in comparison with what I was going through back then. Honestly, I feel embarrassed about my complaints. God has brought me through some very tough times, and I’m still here!

Please forgive me, Lord, for not being as grateful as I should’ve been. Amen

A couple of weeks ago, I was notified that I had won a ticket to a Paint & Chat (too early for sipping) event. Here’s what I painted and what I decided to recreate moments ago, digitally. I needed that painting session yesterday and to meet new people. It was very therapeutic.☺️

Not the same but it only took less than 15 minutes to draw. Will redraw another time.

I pray you have a wonderful day and fabulous weekend. Love ya!♥️

Shaun

Life

Messages On Repeat: Be Still and Wait

Shaun Bradford

Last year, I shared these two messages/memories as a pair and have decided to do so again this year.

I don’t know about you but there are times when I become impatient and frustrated waiting on God. Just being honest. So, I end up ignoring His guidance and attempt to do things on my own. However, every time I’ve done so, it’s turned out to be a huge mistake. Moving on my own or prematurely has never resulted in what I thought it would. Honestly, it’s only caused delays in my progress.

Remember, God knows what He is doing and what lies ahead. If He advises us to be still and wait, we must do just that; no matter how uncomfortable it gets. I promise you—speaking from experiences of both not waiting and waiting—when it’s time to move, everything will work out in your favor and better than you imagined. So sit tight while God works. And, when He finally says move, you better move!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Only One Week Away

Shaun Bradford

Hey Y’all! I am only one week away from one of the greatest dates of my life… MY BIRTHDAY!!!🎉🎉🎉

Almost 51! God is soooo amazing! Never, ever imagined being 50. I’m in awe. Grateful and blessed.🌺

Year51 is right around the corner. Smiling because this year, Year50, my Jubilee year, has probably been one of my most interesting years yet—spiritually. Never knew I needed the spiritual awakening I received. This awakening has been the driving force behind so many life changing experiences—mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, etc. Y’all, I am not sure what Year51, or this side of 50, holds; however, I do know this past year was preparation for the rest.

Humbled

Grateful

Blessed

Cheers to the final week of my Jubilee year. It’s been real… for real!

Praying you have a beautifully, blessed week as we celebrate this last week of my Jubilee year. Yes, we. I am inviting you along. Let’s celebrate!🎉

Love you always,

Shaun

If you haven’t noticed by now, I create my own excitement. Always have and always will. Smile♥️

Life

Ask

Shaun Bradford
Shared on June 13, 2023. Image Credit: Unknown

Not sure who wrote the message on the image above. I shared it on this day last year, and thought it would be good to share it again.

Message: Ask for what you want. As I have often heard, the answer will either be— “Yes,” “No,” or “Not now.”

What I have learned is all of the answers have a purpose. “Yes” means it will happen. “No” means God has something better planned. We may not understand or accept the “No,” but it’s often for our protection—physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. “Not now” usually means God is still working on a few things, and sometimes that thing is us. Smile. Remember, delayed is not denied.

So go ahead and ask. Then, learn to be content with the answer if it’s not what you want to hear. Believe me, it only means God has a bigger and better plan.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Life

Maturing, Growing, Evolving, and Becoming

Shaun Bradford

Here’s another gem from my Facebook memories. Y’all, when I wrote it, I had no idea I would ask God to make this side of 50 different. Thought I only needed to tweak a few things. Yeah, that was before the Year50 purge. (Now I can laugh.) But God knew!

As Bishop T. D. Jakes said—please read the blog below for the full impact—“You cannot be who you’re going to be and who you used to be, at the same time.”

Facebook Memory: June 8, 2022

I cannot become who I’m meant to be and be the same person I used to be, at the same time. Wouldn’t be honoring God if I did.

Maturing
Growing
Evolving
Becoming Me

Wednesday Writings

Y’all, if I wanted this side of 50 to be different, I had to intentionally make it different. And that last sentence in my caption. Whew! I would not have been honoring God had I remained the same. Loving this space I am in.♥️

Shaun

Side note: I am torn between sticking to my schedule of sharing my second post ~ 10:30 AM and posting right after I write. What do you think? Should I stick to my schedule or ditch it and post freely? Today, I’m ditching the schedule because it’s my birthday month!☺️🎉

Life

Make Your Story Beautiful

Shaun Bradford

A few years ago, I shared the following image with the caption, “What are you writing? Hope it’s something beautiful.”

Shared on Facebook on June 6, 2021. (Photo credit: Unknown)

None of us knows what the future holds. Most of the time we look at it through the lens of our past. If we are not careful, we will continue to write and create the same stories.

This year (Year50), and my mom’s death, forced me to stop and reflect on the limiting patterns and stories I kept repeating and creating. Some I had been doing my entire life. I couldn’t seem to let certain parts of my past go. Not so much physically, but mentally. However, once I decided this side of 50 would be different, I intentionally began to make it different. And I am still doing so. It’s an ongoing process that I am committed to continuing. Not sure where my story will take me, but I do know—not believe—it will be beautiful.

I pray your future is just as beautiful. My advice is to release control and allow God to do the rest.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Side note: I used to be terrified of giving God complete control. Didn’t fully trust Him with my future. (Being transparent.) I believed He would bypass my dreams and aspirations to only fulfill His purpose and plan. Now I realize my dreams and aspirations were always part of His purpose and plan. He’s the one who gave them to me. So I have to trust Him to do the rest.

This is Year50…

Life

Is It Worth It?

Shaun Bradford

Before you send that text or email, or make that call or post, or act or react—

Stop…

Breathe…

and

Ask yourself…

“Is it worth it?”

“What will I gain?”

“What will I lose?”

“Is it worth it?”

A moment of stillness can save you a lifetime of regrets—speaking from experience. Also, momentary satisfaction doesn’t always end well—experienced in this area as well. As the saying goes, the chickens will eventually come home to roost. Again…

Stop… 

Breathe… 

and 

Ask yourself…

“Is it worth it?”

“What will I gain?”

“What will I lose?”

“Is it worth it?”

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Happy Monday

Shaun Bradford

Found the following images in my Facebook memories. Couldn’t decide which to share so I decided to share both.

Photo Credit: Unknown

On May 27, 2018, I added the following caption when I shared the image above:

I saw this in a tweet and decided to share. When I describe my life to others, I always say my life is full of adventures, and this is EXACTLY what I mean. One roller coaster ride after another. I’m so grateful I know God. He keeps me grounded. Amen

Yes, life is like a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs and twists and turns, but God continues to keep me grounded. I am so grateful for my relationship with Him. Without it, I am not sure where I would be today.

This next image represents who I have become—a woman of vision and faith. The dreams are slowly, but truly, becoming a reality. I am loving this space I am in.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Praying you have a wonderful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Thought I’d leave you with a little cuteness. He’s getting so big! I just love being an auntie.🥰