Tag: growth

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

Life

You Are Victorious

Shaun Bradford

This post is for those currently experiencing setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments. Despite how dire life might seem at the moment, please know that your story is far from over. You cannot give up. You are so loved. Brighter days are ahead. Believe me, you will make it as you have many times before. There is no doubt that you will win!

As Pastor Joel Osteen would say, “You are the victor.” You will win as you always have. Remember, God’s got you!

I can hear Yolanda Adams singing, Victory. Can’t you? Smile

Love you.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

This time I remembered it was Sunday. I don’t know what I was thinking last Sunday. Laughing

I didn’t really know what to write for today’s Hello Sunday so I went searching for inspiration. Well, I didn’t have to search long. When I opened X (I really wish he wouldn’t have rebranded Twitter), I had a notification that someone had retweeted one of my tweets from months ago. It was a comment I had made during former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book tour for The Light We Carry. It was a quote from her father—“You fall. You get up. You keep moving.”

Your faith will sustain you.

That’s today’s message–

You fall. It happens. Life happens.

You get up. Brush yourself off. Your story isn’t over.

You keep moving. That was only a small part of your story. God has so much more in store. Soooo much more.

Praying you have a wonderful Sunday. I love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

The Process: Part 2

Shaun Bradford

As soon as I published my last blog I could hear God speaking, calming my frustration. Yes, I was a little frustrated. Here is the message He gave me. Hopefully you can use it too. It’s for all of us who have become frustrated with this growth process.

The message…

Do not be discouraged. You are exactly where you are suppose to be. You may think that you should be further along but you are not. Timing is everything.

Then I was reminded of what a speaker had said about timing. They said everything happens at an appointed time—meaning everything connects when it is meant to. I’m not sure who said it but they said what if the person you were meant to connect with wasn’t even born when you expected things to happen. What if God is still preparing that person or thing you are supposed to connect with? Do you jump the gun because you are too impatient to wait? Do you ditch the process all together because you do not see anything happening? Or do you wait, and continue waiting, until the time is right?

God has reassured me that everything will happen at its appointed time. Frustration will also happen. Unfortunately, it is part of the process. However, we do not have to give in to our frustrations or make rash decisions. No, what we must do is lean into God even more, and allow Him to guide us to where we are meant to be. We will get there. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

This Process is Processing

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: October 4, 2022

Where you begin rarely looks like what you envisioned. Give yourself space, time and grace to grow. Don’t give up. You’ll get there!♥️

I’ll get there, eventually. Growing…

On another note, “Savior More Than Life,” by Kirk Franklin and The Family is still on repeat in my head. It’s been like this for days now. I can listen to music all day but once I turn it off, this song pops back up. Is my spirit on auto-worship mode and this is its worship song? Right now I am hearing that I just need to lean into God a little more as if a protection mode has been activated. Whew, Lord. I’m listening.

Well, this is how my day has started. As I stated above, growth is a process and I am still growing. Some days I have no idea if I am still in seed form or if my leaves are finally growing. When will my flowers begin budding? Sighing. Only time and life will tell. Until then, I guess I will lean into God a little more—get all comfy—and allow Him to love on me. Y’all have a wonderful day.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

The Growing Place *UPDATED

Shaun Bradford

Do not be discouraged. This is not where you are meant to stay. God is growing and preparing you for where you are going.♥️ ~ Shaun

There is so much more to come.

Had to come back and add an update. Yesterday, I came across this exact sermon Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts had preached in Denver. All I could do was smile and shed a few tears. What if she would have given up after 2018? Just think, everything that transpired over the last year would not have happened.

Y’ALL!!! We have to keep going. I have to keep going. I know deep down there is sooooo much more God has planned for me. This is not where my story ends. Listen, I cannot afford to give up, and neither can you!! We must keep growing. Love you!

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today makes 50 years 3 months! Yay!!!

Unlike the first two months, this month has not been as revelatory as the first two. I am not going to lie, I felt like I was being ripped apart those first two months. God would reveal areas where I needed to make changes in order to grow and I actually made them. I did not make excuses like I had many times before. No, this time I followed through. And y’all, I am so glad I did. I had no idea how much anxiety and stress was associated with how I had been operating. Now I feel like I am in a better place; a healthier place.

I also started back going to school. It’s a whole other kind of stressor, but I will make it. I am still trying to find a balance between it and life. I do not want to get burned out, nor do I want to be so stressed that I risk my health for a degree. Unlike many of my family members and several of my friends, I have made it to my 50s without hypertension or diabetes and my goal is to keep it this way. So be it if it takes me longer to achieve my goals. Health is truly wealth. I refuse to allow stress to take it.

On a more positive note…

One of my babies is 20 today!!! He stopped by last night after work. Only got to see him for a few minutes before he headed to the dorms, but those few minutes were worth it. I love my baby. Can’t wait to spend the day with him. At least I hope we’re spending the day together. He might have other plans.

Okay… that was about the birthday boy. Now about my princess!

She’s getting married!!!!

Been wanting to write about her engagement since it happened two days ago but had to wait for them to announce it. I cried and screamed—screamed and cried—not screaming now, but I am crying. It was so beautiful. She was absolutely clueless. I had known for months. Keeping it a secret while trying to feel her out about how she truly felt about marriage was one of the hardest things to do. Making sure she didn’t see any of her fiancé’s texts coming through while we were together was also challenging. But now it’s over. She had talked him into going on an adult Disney trip for his birthday. (Before he had always gone with family and never got the full experience.) Little did she know his birthday trip was actually for her. Yes… I am still crying. She deserves the best and I absolutely believe he is it.

They officially met the first day they moved into the dorms in 2013. His cousin was my daughter’s roommate. Just like in the movie Brown Sugar, the bonded over music and have been together ever since. Now they’re literally making music together. He’s her producer. I’m so happy for them and excited to be by her side as she enters another phase of life. She’ll be his wife, but always and forever my baby.

Side note: When I tell you music is powerful! Y’all, it is definitely another love language. Listen, make me a good playlist and I am hooked for life. For real! Laughing. There is just something about music, good music, that takes me to another place. Hence the reason I always have some song playing in my head. It’s like my thoughts come with background music. Crazy, huh?

Anyhoo… cheers to three months on this side of 50. Looking forward to the years to come. I wonder what month #4 will look like. For starters, I am going to see Beyoncé Wednesday!!! If I have nothing else to report about month 4, I can say I attended the Renaissance World Tour! Smiling.

Wishing you an amazingly blessed week. Love you!♥️

Shaun

He was always so dramatic.
The couple!♥️♥️
Life

Growing Season

Shaun Bradford

You do not have to start over. Every seed you planted is growing.♥️ ~ Shaun

Your seeds are sprouting.
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Hello! Hello! Hello! I pray you are having a wonderful weekend. Here’s today’s message and a few verses from Matthew Chapter 6:

Keep standing. God’s got you!

Matthew 6:30-34 NIV
30. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

That’s all I have for now. Please enjoy the rest of your day. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Following God’s plan.