Tag: growth

hope

My Journey With God, No. 77

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️ It’s Self-love Saturday and I decided to sleep in.😌 I hope you decided to do the same.💕

Here’s what I wrote six years ago—

The “social media find” I shared on March 22, 2019. Image credit: Unknown.

When I tell you this Facebook memory is so timely! Although it’s been six years, I feel it more than ever today. You see, next Saturday, I will be attending our state’s annual dietetics conference, where I will be introduced as the incoming president for 2025–2026.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel at the moment. Seems like I have been going nonstop since taking on the role of president-elect. So much has changed since I was last president (2016–2017), and even more is changing now that our government is moving in a different direction. We are a nonpartisan organization and have to move as such. Meaning, my personal feelings and opinions have to take a backseat during this ride. It’s a lot, but I’m up for the challenge. As I have asked myself so many times throughout my adult life, “How did I get here?” Laughing. My life and its adventures. As Mario from Mario Bros. would say, “Here we go!”

Honestly, who would have thought I wasn’t done with this part of my life? If I didn’t know it then, I can certainly say it now, this role is a significant part of my dream and future endeavors. I’m not sure where God is taking me—ONLY He knows—but I’m here for it!♥️

Stay tuned…

Shaun

hope

Breathe… You Got This!

Shaun Bradford

Many days will come with challenges—some big and some small. When you find yourself facing one, remember to take a moment to breathe.

Breathe…

You got this!♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

Release Control

Shaun Bradford
March 2022

It’s true. Life is so much better when we allow God to lead.

Release control and allow Him to lead.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Our Obedience To God Matters

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

In 2023, I shared, “Your obedience to God unlocks doors.” Although this is true, I believe our obedience should be more important than any blessing we may receive. It’s our obedience that strengthens our relationship with God. It shows Him that we not only love Him, but we trust Him despite what He can do or give.

Today, my advice is to focus on building a relationship with God. It’s more important than the blessings and unlocked doors. Both will come in due time.

Wishing you a beautifully, blessed day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 55

Shaun Bradford

Twenty-six (almost 27) years ago, I wrote the following in my journal—

“When I blew out my candles, I made a simple wish and that was to be happy for the next 25 years, and even happier afterwards.”

Well…

Five years ago, I asked myself if I was fulfilling that wish. The answer to that question back then (in 2020), and still is to this day, is “Yes.” Overall, my life is much happier than when I was 25. In 1998, I had so much going on. I was a single mom living abroad with a little one while trying to figure out life for us both. Then, a few months later, my mom had an incident (never found out what happened) that caused her to be paralyzed (paraplegia) for the rest of her life.

Don’t get me wrong. Today, every day isn’t all smiles and laughter; however, I’m never depressed. I was really depressed back then. After making my wish on my 25th birthday, I tried my best to make myself happy. I had been to therapy before, so I knew how to cope. However, it wasn’t until God stepped in and I began allowing Him to lead that I became truly happy. Y’all, God is so good. True happiness cannot be created. It happens organically and comes from within. When I celebrate life by saying, “I made it!” this is what I mean.

I’m forever grateful for God’s love, mercy, and grace. Y’all, I‘m blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

hope

Growth Requires Patience

Shaun Bradford

Just a little food for thought…

Trust the process.

If you want to grow, you must be willing to 1) put in the work and 2) be patient. Yes…patient. Patient with yourself and with the process. I believe we would all prefer that growth happen overnight or instantly; however, it doesn’t. It takes time, effort, determination, and sometimes courage. All of which requires patience.

I hope your Monday has started well. Remember to breathe and take breaks when needed.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️
I pray you are doing well.

Saw this quote and thought I’d share it with my natural nurturers—those who can’t help but love on others and put them first.

“This year, your assignment is you. Water you.” – femalempire.co

As the quote says, we are the assignment this year and must water ourselves. Whatever we’ve poured into others in the past, we must now pour into ourselves. This doesn’t mean we’re being selfish or will love others any less. It just means we are making our purposes, dreams, and aspirations a priority so they can finally grow. It’s our time to flourish.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Water YOU.

hope

Remember Your Why and Your Purpose

Shaun Bradford
You got this, and God’s got you!

Remember your “Why” and your purpose, and never stop pursuing them. You have the Greatest of greats—the Almighty God—backing you, AND YOU are His child. Don’t let anything stop you, not even you. Smile

Keep going!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 45

Shaun Bradford

While looking through an old notebook that I was using as a journal and as a study guide (not sure why I was using one notebook for both😩), I found a letter I had written but never sent to my sister. Here’s a snippet of what I wrote.

30 January 1993

At the time, I was 19 years old and stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany. Y’all, I was just a baby. However, even back then, I made note of gems that I still live by today:

  1. True happiness can only be found within. (Thanks, Master Splinter)
  2. God will place us where we desire to be, but it’s our responsibility to make things happen. (A good one, right?!)
  3. Life isn’t easy… but it’s so worth living.

As I mentioned in the letter, I was where I had always dreamed of being, but I wasn’t doing anything with the opportunity I had been given. Looking back, I realize no one in my circle had the same or similar goals or dreams. So, instead of venturing out and doing my own thing, I adapted to their world. From what I had written—“I don’t have any goals anymore.”—I believe I had lost hope.

How sad…

But very eye opening.

It’s so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people or our dreams and aspirations will suffer. Or…we must be strong enough to venture out and do our own thing to keep our dreams alive.

Life is interesting and God is good.

Forever grateful for His wisdom and love.♥️

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2024?! This year flew by, but by the grace of God, we’re still here! Hallelujah, we are still here.🙏🏽

On December 29, 2021, I shared—

“Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!”

I’m smiling because I spoke it, received it, and now I’m owning it. I’m not sure when I stopped viewing my life as chapters in a book. Maybe it was during or after the COVID pandemic, or maybe it was last year, my Year 50. All I know is I haven’t thought about another chapter or looked forward to something AMAZING in years. I don’t have to because I’m already living in it. My life is already AMAZING—it just keeps getting better!

Y’all, I am absolutely loving this side of 50! Thank You, Lord, for making this side different and better than I ever imagined.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with viewing your life in the context of chapters. As you can see, I also did. However, I’ve reached a point where I try to find the AMAZING in everyday moments instead of waiting for it to miraculously show up in the future. Life is just too precious and short to keep waiting for something amazing to happen when it’s already happening now. Just look around and you’ll see it. Then, once you see it, receive it and own it. It’s yours!

That’s all I have for you now. Wishing you an AMAZING, relaxing Sunday.♥️

Love you,

Shaun