Tag: growth

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

Thank You, Lord

Shaun Bradford

Friday morning praise and worship:

Singing🎶

Thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
I just want to thank
You, Lord

You’ve been so good
You’ve been so good
You’ve been so good
I just want to thank
You, Lord

Flashback to when the rain was gone and the sun was shining. Grateful for both, the sun and the rain. Both are necessary for growth. However, I really prefer the sunshine. Don’t we all?☺️

Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

A Necessary Task

Shaun Bradford

Today’s Facebook memory basically falls in line with the pruning I experienced several months ago, and the decluttering I wrote about before the new year. When we really start growing—especially mentally, emotionally and spiritually—we begin to discover we have to let a few things go (sometimes people). We have to let go of things that trigger and/or hinder our growth or progression.

From experience, I know this is not easy thing to do. I still struggle with it. I believe it’s difficult because some things have been with us for years if not our entire lives (certain mindsets, behaviors, and beliefs). Believe me, it takes a lot of discernment and a good relationship with God to know what to let go of and what to hold on to because if we are not careful, we could toss what we need and hold on to what we don’t. Yes, discernment is very important. Also, being still so we can clearly hear God’s voice is utmost important. I know…sounds like a brutal task, doesn’t it? But it’s not. Smile…

Listen, God will never steer us wrong or leave us without. If we accidentally let go of things (opportunities, relationships, etc.) we should have held on to, we will receive them again. Believe me, whatever is meant to stay in our lives, will stay. It’s called God’s mercy, grace, and favor. For those who know, know there’s nothing like it! Amen

Okay… I’m done rambling. Just know that in the end everything always works out because God’s got us!♥️

Here’s today’s memory.

Facebook Memory: January 13, 2022

Walking away from things that no longer serve us is often difficult and sometimes painful, yet it is so necessary for growth. I pray God gives you the strength to walk away from things that no longer serve you so that you are able to move forward freely.

It’s not easy but necessary. And don’t worry about making the wrong decision. God won’t let us fail. What’s meant to be will be.

Sending blessings and love your way. Have a wonderful weekend!♥️

Shaun

Life

Smile, It Happened and Is Still Happening

Shaun Bradford

Life is forever evolving and changing. Instead of crying over what was, smile because it was. Smile because you had the opportunity to experience it. Then, smile even bigger because you now have the opportunity to experience something even greater.

Facebook Memory: January 11, 2019

Happy Friday! Here’s today’s social media find. So, I’ve been reading old journal entries from 20+ years ago and reminiscing about the good old days (BTW: Today’s MJB’s birthday🎉). It’s amazing how time flies. If I could go back, I would definitely handle some situations and relationships differently. There were people in my past I wish I would have kept in touch with (grateful for FB reconnections 🤗). There were opportunities that I let slip away because I thought I was “oh so” brilliant 🤷🏽‍♀️ or because of fear. Either way, I lived and learned. One thing for sure, I can’t continue to look back on what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, or might’ve happened. I can only look forward and enjoy the present ride.

I’m truly grateful for all of my wonderful experiences, whether they lasted for years or only a few seconds (that smile did something to me 😉).

Make the best of every moment. Don’t spend too much time thinking about how the story could’ve ended or will end. Enjoy the here and now.

Yes, it happened and it is still happening. Stay present and embrace the beauty of what’s happening now.

Just because a particular experience ended doesn’t mean something new is not already happening. God is forever working even when we cannot see it or feel it. Remember that every new day brings new opportunities and experiences. If we continue to dwell on what was, we will miss the beauty of what’s happening now. So, keep smiling. Our story is far from over. The best is yet to come!♥️

Shaun

Life

Change Is Necessary

Shaun Bradford

Sitting here thinking…

Just watched a new episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. It’s a new season with new writers and new characters. A lot of “new,” and many fans are not feeling the changes. It’s funny because many of the same people were complaining because they wanted change. Hilarious.

Anyhoo… That got me thinking about change. Some people like change while others do not. Some people adjust to change quicker than others. Personally, I always try to find the positive within the change. Whether people like it or not, change is inevitable and so necessary. It’s necessary for growth. New opportunities are born from change. Just imagine what the world would be like without change. Imagine what our life would be like without change. Scary, huh?!

Yes…change is necessary.

Looking forward to the new opportunities this change will create. Gotta keep the bigger picture in mind. There are so many great things to come.

That’s enough thinking for tonight. Time to wind down. Praying y’all have a wonderful night. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

How It Started

Shaun Bradford

One of today’s Facebook memories was a reminder of when I first started creating and sharing inspirational content (2018). I updated the video to include graphics from 2023 and the one I shared earlier today, which included my first drawing for the year.

Facebook Memory: January 6, 2022

Much too often we forget to celebrate our small successes along the way because we’re so anxious for the BIG win. Well, today I’m celebrating mine. Over the years, I have watched my inspirations evolve. They are no where near what I would like for them to be, and have yet to reach millions (yeah.. thinking globally), however, I’m still making progress. I see the growth. #Grateful #Progress

2018–2024

I am so proud of myself for continuing doing what I love. I am not sure where all of this is going but I do know it’s part of my purpose and calling. Can’t wait to see where Shaun’s Daily Inspiration will be 2-3 years from now.♥️

Shaun

Life

You Did Not Give Up

Shaun Bradford

This time next year, you will be in a better place in all aspects of life because you did not give up. You overcame your fears, mastered your challenges, and blocked all self-doubt. Yes, YOU!

You kept going despite the odds. Now look at you all glossed up and bossed up! I see you, and I am so very proud of you. You did not give up!♥️ ~Shaun

Smile, you made it!! Now, keep going!
Life

Social Media Break

Shaun Bradford

Where would we be without social media?

Every year around this time I usually take a short social media break. It is how I clear my head to get ready for the rest of the year. Typically, I delete all of my apps to keep me from mindlessly tapping them. Well, this year my apps are still on my phone and I have not tapped on as usual. This is what I call growth.

I wonder how long this will last. Am I finally controlling social media without it controlling me? Been saying for years that this is what I wanted. Maybe it is finally happening. Maybe…

♥️

Life

The Rebirth: Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Below is a post I wrote last year about my Facebook memory from the year before (December 23, 2021). Guess I have been sharing my memories for a while now—smile. So, since the memory has already been shared, I will use the same quote (too good not to reshare) and piggyback off of what I shared yesterday about rebirth.

The rebirth…

The rebirth will require us to leave things behind. Things that have held us back and/or been haunting us for years, even decades. It’s time to release them so that we can move forward in our purpose.

When I started my journey on this side of 50, I had to release quite a few things (people too, some released themselves). At first, it didn’t feel good. Honestly, it felt like I was losing part of myself including my identity. If you have read any of my monthly “celebratory” blogs (one is coming tomorrow!), you know I went through a spiritual, emotional, and mental pruning phase. Baby, when I tell you it did not feel good! Had me grieving for real. But it helped me see what had to go and what needed to stay. Everything that is still with me today was meant to stay. Now, I still have some decluttering to do but it’s nothing like the pruning. Whew!

Tomorrow, I will be 50 1/2 (smile) and will share another celebratory update about my first six months on this side of 50 (woohoo!). So stay tuned…

You had to leave it/them behind in order to move forward. Couldn’t progress without doing so, and cannot continue to progress by holding on to the guilt. Release the guilt and move forward.

Here is last year’s blog which contains Facebook memories from last year and the year before—December 23, 2022 & December 23, 2021. Enjoy!

Growth!
Rest is good for the soul. Get some! (Speaking to myself also.☺️)

By the way, I did put up my Christmas tree, played Christmas music and watched Christmas movies most of the day. It changed everyone’s mood. My babies have always fed off of my energy. It’s no different now that they are adults. I still have to set the tone for my little family despite what I may be feeling. I love seeing them smile.

I pray you have a wonderful day. Remember to love on someone today, and allow yourself to be loved on. There is no greater gift than love. Give it. Receive it. I love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hurt People Hurt People

Shaun Bradford

Decided to include two Facebook memories in this morning’s post. Even though one is about healing from hurt and the other about love, I believe they were meant to be shared together.

Facebook Memory: December 16, 2018

Today’s message: “Hearing When You’re Hurting.” Bishop T.D. Jakes

Sometimes emotional pain is worse than physical pain, and it’s harder to heal. So many people are in pain. Some of it stems from years of hurt. But God is a healer. Amen

Facebook Memory: December 16, 2022

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love is understanding.
Love ALWAYS wins.♥️

As I mentioned earlier, I thought the two memories should be shared together. Have you ever heard the phrase, “hurt people hurt people”? Well, I never bought into the idea until recently. I used to believe that the phrase only referred to people who intentionally hurt others. You know, the vindictive ones. I never considered the unintentional hurts.

I believe it is not until you are healed that you realize you hurt someone else because you were hurt.

Without going into too many details, that’s exactly what happened before I decided to divorce my ex. After 17 years of holding on to the pain of my daughter’s father abandoning me (and all the other craziness), I forgave him. Y’all, that was when everything changed. My entire outlook on life had changed because I was no longer in pain. Sadly, my eyes were opened and I began seeing all the damage I had caused. This included my marriage. Up until then, I honestly hadn’t realize I had married him out of pain. Little did I know, I was one of those hurt people who hurt people.

Now love…

I believe love is everything I had defined it to be—patient, kind, and understanding. However, I do not believe it is possible to fully love someone else while you are still in pain. Shoot…you don’t fully love yourself because if you did, you would let go of the pain. I still cannot believe it took me 17 years. I almost repeated the same mistake when my ex wouldn’t sign the divorce papers after almost 4 1/2 years. I had to let that pain go.

So, here is what I have learned from my experience. It’s not until you are healed from the pain that you realize—1) your pain can cause you to unintentionally hurt others and 2) fully loving someone else—including yourself—while you are still in pain, is impossible.

Life is definitely full of lessons.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful day. Love you.♥️

Shaun