Tag: happiness

hope

My Journey With God, No. 82

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

God is always working and moving, even when it appears He’s not. Here are a few memories from April 7th.

April 7, 2022 and 2018

This is a photo of a rock I painted at the same conference held four years earlier, April 7, 2018. “Trust” was one of my biggest barriers to moving forward. I had lost trust in almost every aspect of my life—family, job, profession, and myself. I was at ‘rock’ bottom and in the process of figuring out how to rebuild the trust I once had in those areas, as well as in unfamiliar areas I was tapping into.
On April 7, 2022, at the same conference mentioned above, I was presented with an award for Nutritionist of the Year. I had no idea I was receiving an award and had left the conference to check out of my hotel room. I remember receiving texts from several colleagues congratulating me and asking where I was.🤦🏽‍♀️😅

April 7, 2024

This photo was taken last year on April 7, 2024, at our state dietetics’ conference. It was the day my colleagues learned I had decided to run for president-elect again. These ladies have been by my side throughout my entire dietetics career—almost 20 years. They are my rocks!

In 2018, I was going through a weird phase in my career and wanted change. I needed it! I was losing confidence and trust in the work I was doing and in myself. So, a few months after the conference, I enrolled in a doctoral program to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. I had already been working in community and public health nutrition, so it seemed like the logical move at the time. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, I needed a change. That was 2018.

Three years later (2021), I took a leap to become a full-time, independent consultant. That was around the end of the pandemic. At that time, I hadn’t seen my colleagues in person for over a year, so I felt pretty isolated. However, it was also during that time that I decided to promote our profession and my colleagues on my social media platform, Mississippi Thriving. I wanted Mississippians to know who we were and what our contributions were to improving our citizens’ health. So, I reached out to our dietitians asking if they’d be willing to be showcased on Mississippi Thriving’s “RDN Saturdays” (something I came up with early one morning🤷🏽‍♀️☺️), and several agreed! Hence, one of the reasons for the award I received.

Looking back, I’ve actually done a lot more than I thought over the past ten years. In no way am I bragging. I’m only acknowledging my accomplishments. For the longest time, I’ve felt like my life’s been stagnant, but in reality, it’s been moving. God’s been moving!

Y’all, I can’t say it enough, I am truly, truly blessed.🥰

Shaun

hope

Breathe

Shaun Bradford

Breathe…

You got this, and God’s got YOU.

I love you to the moon and back!♥️

Shaun

hope

Created To Be Extraordinary

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Yes, I’m God’s child. He created me to be extraordinary!😌💫

Same for you. You weren’t created to be a cookie-cutter version of others. You were created to stand out. You are extraordinary!🌟

I pray that your day is just as amazing as you are!♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

P.S. It’s Self-love Saturday. Remember to do something extra special for yourself.🥰

hope

Life: A Reflection Of The Heart And Soul

Shaun Bradford

A few years ago, I shared—

“How we view life is merely a reflection of what’s in our hearts and souls.” – Moi

April 4, 2022

Do you agree?

Is the way you view life a reflection of the state of your heart and soul?

It’s a ‘Yes’ for me.

Even when things aren’t the best, there’s something about life that’s still beautiful.♥️

Smile,

Shaun

hope

God’s Purpose

Shaun Bradford

God’s purpose is much greater than us. We’re only the vessels He’s chosen to use to achieve it.

Honestly, I have no idea what God’s purpose for my life is; however, I do know my purpose is to allow Him to use me as He sees fit. Whatever His purpose is, it’s greater than me. It’s my hope that along my life’s journey, others will see God through me and choose to allow Him to use them, too. Believe me, the love, joy, and peace He provides is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s real.

Okay… let me end here before I start sounding like I’m trying to get y’all to join a cult.😅 But honestly, there’s nothing like residing in God’s presence.

That’s all I have for now. I pray your day is going well.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Kindness

Shaun Bradford

Always choose kindness. You never know when you’ll need it reciprocated.♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

Forever In Awe Of God

Shaun Bradford

This Facebook memory has me smiling and gives me hope. It’s so timely!

Here’s what I shared on this date last year. Talk about mind-blowing! I just love watching God work!

Persevere, April 2, 2024

Thanks to Senator Cory Booker’s post this morning, PERSEVERE is the word of the day!

No matter how many setbacks you have, keep trying. No matter how many times you have to restart, keep starting. Keep dreaming. Keep creating. Keep building. PERSEVERE! In time, everything you once dreamed will be your reality.

PERSEVERE!♥️

Persevere is exactly what Senator Cory Booker did. He held the Senate floor for over 25 hours from Monday to yesterday evening. It was so beautiful!

During this time, he spoke about the injustices happening across the country and our dissatisfaction with our government (both sides). He read stories from constituents (not only his) who are afraid and worried about their future. He also shared personal stories. But what touched me most was him putting his heart on display for the world to see. There’s no denying that he truly cares. I admire and appreciate his leadership and love for our country and humanity.

Y’all, he PERSEVERED! The late Honorable John Lewis would be so proud of Senator Booker’s “Good Trouble.”

This is why I’m forever in awe of God. I love how He loves me and allows me to witness His greatness. Y’all, He’s so AMAZING!!!

That’s all I have for now. I pray you are having a beautiful day thus far.♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 81

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I’m still singing Koryn Hawthorne’s song, “Look at God.”

“Sitting here counting my blessings…”

Whew!

Despite all the craziness I’ve been through, my blessings outweigh the bad. I can’t help but be in awe of God and His love for me. It’s like nothing I have ever experienced. I pray that you’ve experienced the same.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

April Is Here

Shaun Bradford

This morning, I thought I’d share a few of my Facebook memories with you. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way up.

April 1, 2011

I miss being in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. I did half of my time in one and the rest in the other. Enjoyed them both. I still don’t like wearing stud earrings. That’s why you’ll always see me in hoops. I also don’t miss the steel-toed boots. However, I do miss my Air Force family. I mistakenly tried to treat my civilian job and colleagues like family and quickly realized they were not the same. I miss watching and hearing the planes take off. I worked in Airfield Management, which meant we managed everything on the airfield. I loved watching the fighter jets take off at the break of dawn. Talk about beautiful! And I loved hearing the big-body aircraft take off. Soooo powerful! It’s fascinating how something so big can stay in the air. And the aircrews! I had to brief them before their flights. Y’all, I got to meet pilots from all over the world and astronauts! I still can’t believe that I walked into the recruiter’s office on an April afternoon and committed to serve. Wasn’t afraid at all. Never had second thoughts. I just did it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Seems like a lifetime ago!☺️

April 1, 2021

This is a message from my momma. When I first read it, I read it from the point of four years ago. Then, I read it as if she tagged me in the post today. Today, I’m saying, “Father, thank You that You’re taking me where I couldn’t go on my own.” Amen. I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me, but I trust Him. I know He’s got me.🙏🏽

April 1, 2023

I must keep shining! God has blessed me with an AMAZING life. There’s absolutely no reason for me not to. I am truly, truly blessed! I can hear Janet Jackson singing, “I’ve seen the world, been to many places…” And I have. I am beyond blessed.

I pray you have a blessed, peaceful, and prosperous month. May your April be filled with lots of love and joy. You deserve it!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

Lord, Guide Me

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Ten years ago, I ended my journal entry with, “Lord, please guide me.”

Ten years ago, my entire world changed. During the final days of March 2015, I experienced my greatest heartbreak but also my greatest relief. My ex-husband had finally moved out. That was the relief. However, the greatest heartbreak came from those I always thought would have my back but instead turned their backs on me.

Y’all, it’s been a very long ten years. Not only did I have to rebuild a life for me and my two (my hearts and rocks!), but I had to rebuild relationships. I’m not going to go into details, but just know that when I say I made it, believe me—I MADE IT!!!

I am forever indebted to God. I know I wouldn’t be here had it not been for Him. I am so grateful for His love, mercy, grace, kindness, patience and GUIDANCE. I asked for His guidance, and He answered.

Today, I’m celebrating.

Yes, I’m celebrating!

I made it!!🎉

Thank you so much for your love and continued support. I pray you have a beautifully, blessed day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun