happiness – Page 39 – It’s Shaun’s World

I Am Responsible For Me

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 Shaun Bradford

I took the following excerpt below from my Wednesday Writings dated April 20, 2022. A few posts ago, I wrote about not knowing how to be single. How, for almost 30 years, my kids have basically been my life. Well, two years ago I was entering my empty nester phase. Didn’t know what to expect. Here’s what I wrote.

Wednesday Writings: April 20, 2022

… in that split second, it dawned on me that I.. yes, me.. am responsible for protecting, supporting, encouraging and loving myself. I.. yes, Shaun.. am responsible for ensuring I live my BEST life. Yes, it’s on me, solely on me.

Perhaps what my soul is believing for is tied to me believing in myself and loving myself like I’ve never done before. That the only way I can live my best life is to care for myself like I care for my babies. To want for myself the same things I want for them. As many of you know, my son will be graduating in one month. As I’m trying to prepare him for this new wave of freedom he’s about to experience, I’m also preparing myself as well. It’s been about 30 years since I last rolled solo. Anxious to see what lies ahead.

I said it had been 30 years since I rolled solo. I meant unattached. No man. No kids. Just me, myself, and I. My son will be 21 this year and my daughter is 29, which means they are grown! So, it is time that I explore life without being attached. Not necessarily dating because I am not into the dating thing. Never done it well and now not interested in trying. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still want to get married again. I loved the companionship. My marriage wasn’t all bad. Most of the time it was pretty good. I was the June Cleaver/Claire Huxtable I wanted to be. I made my life what I wanted. I just never loved my husband. He was the rebound guy and I was told (yes…by God) I needed to release him. That that was the only way I could stop pretending to be happy and actually be happy. Listen, you can only pretend for so long. Once the facade starts crumbling, it doesn’t stop until all of you is exposed. Then what? Then, you start living from authenticity.

Anyhoo… I got real sidetracked. Laughing. Well, now, it’s just Shaun, the single lady, and Mother, the advisor. Smiling

Loving life. This is Year50…♥️

Shaun

Life

Never Give Up On Your Dreams

April 9, 2024April 9, 2024 Shaun Bradford

How many dreams have you given up on in your lifetime because they just seem unrealistic, unobtainable, or your time has passed? I don’t know about you, but I have given up on many dreams—too many. Mostly because they had not come the way I imagined they would. They always required work that I was either not prepared to do or didn’t want to do. Yes, dreams take work. Smile. Well, this year, Year50, I had to ask myself if I was going to spend this side of 50 giving up on what I wanted most or go get it. My answer, “Baby, I’m getting everything God has for me!” I am not letting any of the dreams I still have die with me, and I suggest that you don’t either. You cannot afford to let them die. God gave you those dreams, which means you can actually have them if you want them. Now, go get them!♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: April 9, 2022

Don’t give up and never stop believing. You’re closer to your dream than you think.

Life

Perfectly Imperfect

April 8, 2024 Shaun Bradford

I rarely check my Facebook memories on my other accounts, but decided to check them just now. Here’s one from my LaShaundreaB account. Trying to hang out on it a little more often.

Facebook Memory: April 8, 2021

What would life be like without flaws? I believe our imperfections represent God’s perfection. He never intended for us to be clones or perfect. Today, I encourage you to embrace YOU, the real you, imperfections and all. Believe me, YOU make life exciting!

Just be YOU!♥️

Shaun

Life

What’s Your View On Life?

April 4, 2024 Shaun Bradford

What’s your overall take on life?

Mine…

Overall, I believe life is beautiful. It has its rough moments, but when I think about it, they have never outweighed the good ones. I have had so many more good times than bad.

Facebook Memory: April 4, 2022

How we view life is merely a reflection of what’s in our hearts and souls.♥️

Y’all, yesterday was my first day in years of feeling like I was in my zone. Like I was where I was meant to be, doing what I do best—spreading love and hope. Never knew how much I missed people, especially the students and my colleagues. I also had the opportunity to connect with a few new people. Can’t wait to collaborate with them on upcoming projects. Y’all, I am so excited about where things are headed!

Side Note: Never allow others or bad moments in life to dim your light. Whenever you feel it going out, change your environment with haste. Do not stick around waiting for things or people to change. The longer you wait, the dimmer your light becomes. Keep it glowing!

Well, this is it for now. Praying you have a wonderful day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

What Are You Waiting For?

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 Shaun Bradford

Let me guess. You are waiting for the perfect moment to get started. Waiting until you have everything you need, or believe you need, before making your big move. I know. I know because I have been there, and in certain circumstances I am still there. Yes… I am still a work in progress.

Well, from what I have learned from past experiences, there will never be the perfect time to get started or make your next move(s). You just have to do it. You have to do it without seeing the entire picture. You have to do it without knowing the outcome. You have to do it because if you don’t, your life will never change.

Just take the first step and allow God to guide you through the rest. I promise you, you will not fail. Now, I am not saying everything will be smooth and easy. However, I do know God won’t let you fail. He won’t. Trust Him and move.♥️ ~Shaun

You are already equipped with everything you need. You don’t need anything else.

Life

This Just Made Me Smile!

March 26, 2024 Shaun Bradford

One of my favorite YouTubers (if that’s even a word), Shameless Maya, is BACK! Okay… She hasn’t been gone for years, but she’s been absent for months. I believe her channel was the first one I subscribed to. I was so drawn to her personality and free spirit. When she talked about feeling awkward and different, I felt it. I felt seen. I admired, and still admire, her love for life and the way she handles experiences.

Listen, y’all just don’t know how happy I was to see her pop up on my screen. I am so glad she’s doing well. Smiling.

Y’all, I truly believe if I had to do my adult years over, my life would have been somewhat similar when it comes to the carefree, adventurous part. I probably would have joined the Peace Corps like I wanted to, or gone backpacking across Europe. Today, I would probably be married to someone from another country or continent and living life abroad. At least that’s what I imagine I would be doing because that was where I was headed. BUT… God had other plans; and I know He still has more in store because this ain’t it. Laughing

Really… I needed to see her video today after the experience I had yesterday. If I told you, you probably wouldn’t understand. But it let me know this is not where I belong or where I am meant to stay.

Side Note: Be mindful of what you speak. In the 90s, when I was stationed in Florida, I would drive through Hattiesburg on my way to see family in Northern Mississippi. Every time I got to a certain area I would say, “One day I am going to retire here.” Didn’t know anything about manifestation back then. Well, even though I was referring to when I was in my late sixties or seventies, I actually retired here. Been retired for years now. Too funny. Yeah… be mindful of what comes out of your mouth because you just might get it. Hmmm… I wonder why that doesn’t happen with money. 😂

Anyhoo… Welcome back, Maya!

This was the breath of fresh air that I did not know I needed.

Shaun

P.S. My next post is scheduled to be shared at 10:30 AM (trying to stay consistent). I wrote and scheduled it last night. However, after watching Maya’s video, I am tempted to pull it, but I won’t. I am going to leave it as scheduled. I am pretty sure a year from now I will look back and say, “They tried! But God had other plans!!” Amen

Have a blessed day!♥️

Life

Words Are Powerful

March 19, 2024 Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: March 19, 2021

Words are powerful. They can either build or destroy. How are you using your words? Are you speaking life or death?

Same question today—how are you using your words? Are you speaking life or death? Are you building or destroying?

Be mindful of what you speak, especially when it comes to speaking about others. Be the person who builds relationships not destroy them. Be the one who speaks life, love, peace, and prosperity over others. I believe whatever we speak, whether over ourselves or others, we receive. Again, be mindful of what you speak. Words are very powerful.

Praying you have a wonderful day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Overthinking

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Shaun Bradford

I needed this reminder today because that is exactly what I have been doing lately—overthinking. Last night I told my daughter that I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t turn my mind off. Seems like I have been trying to solve everyone’s problems lately, and none are directly mine. Yesterday, I could feel my body changing. I had become so stressed and tense. Had to force myself to do something other than work or think. Decided to put down my phone and watch “Annie,” the Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis one. I needed that bit of relief. I’m promising myself to do better today.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: March 12, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. I’m always thinking… often overthinking. Always trying to figure things out or solve a problem. Life is a mystery. We cannot predict what will happen next. We can only assume what will happen. Very few things in my life, have happened as expected. Honestly, I don’t believe anything has ever gone exactly as planned or imagined. So, today, I plan to stop overthinking and just let go. Totally trusting God.