Tag: happiness

Life

Forever Grateful

Shaun Bradford

Saw this memory and had to share. Listen, when I speak about God’s goodness and love, believe me it is coming from a place of complete gratitude. I don’t praise Him for things I desire but for the blessings He has already given me. Maybe this is the reason I am always emotional and intentionally grateful. Y’all, I am so very blessed.

Facebook Memory: December 8, 2019

One more post. Another testimony.

A few days ago I wrote about purchasing a car two weeks before going to see the Odedes. Almost a year later, to the date (December 8, 2016), that car was totaled.

The entire undercarriage was damaged. I still experience back pain and it’s been seven years.

You know how God shows you things before they happen. Well, that’s what happened on that evening. I was driving home from work when the thought crossed my mind, “What if someone hits me?” Honestly, I wasn’t in my right state of mind. I was thinking about all of my problems. Earlier that year, I had taken another job where I took a huge pay cut. Bills were due. I was frustrated because I was still married after almost two years of being separated. I was miserable. So, for a moment, I was like, what if… (kind of hard to admit this was my train of thought). Nothing happened at that moment. However, not even 30 minutes later, someone hit me.

It was so unexpected. I never saw the car coming. I was so focused on my problems and getting home. The lady ran the red light and hit me. It was like a dream. No.. it was like I was watching a movie. I remember getting out of the car and an off duty police officer helping me, telling me I needed to wait on an ambulance. I was trying to go see if the other person was okay. I’m so happy the airbag didn’t deploy because I probably wouldn’t be here.

After my accident, I became more grateful. I believe I was putting the hashtag “ForeverGrateful” on EVERY post. Only God knew how grateful I was, and still am. No matter how tough things get, I don’t want to leave this world before my time. I don’t even want the thought to cross my mind. I know I’m here for a reason. As for the car, it served its purpose. Y’all, please don’t take life for granted.

I had saved this quote on the day of the accident. Had no idea what was coming. God is so good!

PLEASE be mindful of what you think and speak. Y’all, our thoughts and voice have power. Believe me, I know life gets hard and may seem unbearable at times, but please hang in there. You matter. Your life matters. I would have missed out on so much had I not lived. So, when y’all see me writing about how blessed I am, I referring to the gift of life and my two hearts (my babies). Y’all, I am still here.

I am truly, truly blessed.♥️

Shaun

Life

Life Goes On

Shaun Bradford

Be careful not to let your current situation stop you from pursuing your dreams. They say things always seem to get worse before they get better, and I can attest to that. Been through so much over my lifetime. Every time I was about to give up, God came through. He did it for me and I know He will do it for you.

Remember, this is only one small part of your story. As long as you are living, your story continues, and life goes on. God’s got you (and me too).

Just hold on! I promise you great things are coming.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

SCREAMING Congratulations JustOneKi!!!🌟

Shaun Bradford

Okay…I’m about to be SOOOO EXTRA in a few hours. When I tell you my Facebook memories are ALWAYS on point and on time! Listen, I cannot make this stuff up!!!

So here’s my memory from two years ago. Afterwards, I’ll tell you why it is so significant.

Facebook Memory: December 4, 2021

For those who don’t have TikTok.🤪

Exciting things are happening!! Y’all know I don’t do videos, but I’m soooo proud of Ki. Most of the time we only see the finish product. Rarely do we see what happens behind the scenes. This has been years in the making. She’s been singing since she was a toddler. So her debut single is a pretty big deal. Yep.. it’s BIG!

December 10, 2021 [release date]
Tell Me

I’m so proud of you, KiSondrea!!🥰

I be soooo extra when it comes to my babies!!🤪

Well…

As I said, my Facebook memories are ALWAYS on time!!! My daughter doesn’t know it yet, but one of her singles, BODY, just hit 100K views on YouTube!!! She never checks it but I do from time to time, especially since she has been so close, and yesterday she was soooo close. Today she has 100K+ views. I am SO PROUD of her!!!! Can’t wait until she wakes up so I can SCREAM!!!🗣️

CONGRATULATIONS KI!!!🎉🪩🎉🌟🎉

Here’s her song, BODY. It was produced by her boyfriend who is now her fiancé. What a year! I’ll let y’all know how she reacts. She rarely posts anything on social media. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, master’s in Journalism, and works for a marketing firm, but rarely promotes her work. I don’t get it, but she does and I respect that. However, TODAY…we’re going to celebrate her accomplishment and I am going to celebrate her with the world (my little set of friends and followers–laughing). That’s my baby and I am so proud of her.

Wishing you a wonderful day!!

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

Renaissance

Shaun Bradford

Y’all!! I can’t begin to describe what I am feeling right now. Just came from seeing Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Listen, after attending her concert I was on a high, but this time… y’all, words can’t even express what I am feeling! I love it when I connect with people. When people view life as I do. Beyoncé is another one of those people who gets what life is really about. It’s about love, peace, freedom—the freedom to BE—and people (community). Yeah…I’m pretty much on an emotional high right now. Life is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Boy, am I loving Year50.

Welcome to my renaissance!!!

Y’all, I’m here!!!

Good Night♥️

Shaun

Me being me because I am free to BE!!
Life

Praise the Lord

Shaun Bradford

Singing—“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

Praying you have a magnificent day. You deserve it!

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

Smile

Shaun Bradford

When you read the title, did you smile?

I hope so.

That was my intention.

If not…

Let me try again.

You are loved.

Did that work?

No…

Let me try this.

You are AWESOME!

That didn’t work either?

How about…

You make me smile.

Yeah…

I know that worked.

I felt your smile.

Now it’s your turn.

Make someone smile.

Smiles are free. Keep them going.

Enjoy your week!♥️

Shaun

Life

Thankful

Shaun Bradford

Today is my first Thanksgiving without my momma. I started feeling it yesterday. Whew… Life… I am so very thankful for the 49 years (almost 50) we had together. She was definitely one of a kind and will forever be missed. Thankful she’s no longer in pain (she was in soooo much pain) and finally at peace. This Thanksgiving she is finally free.

What are you most thankful for?

I am the most thankful for life. Thankful that I am still here to experience God’s goodness. Thankful I am still here to love on my babies and them love on me. Y’all, they are my hearts, my smiles and my joys. I love them so much.♥️♥️

I am also thankful for my dad and bonus mom, my siblings, other family members, friendships (the strong, SOLID ones), and YOU. I am so very thankful for YOU!♥️

To everyone celebrating Thanksgiving, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Standards and Boundaries

Shaun Bradford

There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting standards and boundaries. Protect yourself. You matter too.♥️ ~Shaun

You are not asking for too much.
Life

Dreams

Shaun Bradford

Just woke up from my second or third weird dream. The first dream felt so real that I woke up as if it was happening at that very moment. I could see it so clearly. I could also feel it. I wrote as much as I could remember in my journal. The dream was very straightforward, nothing to interpret. However, I kept hearing, “You woke up too soon.” Hmmm

Now that I have written about it, perhaps the dream shouldn’t be my concern but the message I received afterward. I woke up too soon. Was there more to see? Guess I will never know because I did not stick around to find out.

The dreams that followed were not related or quite as interesting. But that first one had me a bit shook. Most of my dreams are just dreams; however, some are pretty real. Since childhood, I have witnessed some version of my dreams happen. I even dreamed my mom would suffer from paraplegia only months before it happened (it’s journaled). So, I don’t take my dreams lightly, especially not the ones that wake me up like this one did. The crazy part about this one and the message I received after I woke up is I actually forced myself to wake up. I did not want to see any more.

Well, this is how my week has started. I pray your week is pretty normal. I am going to tuck that dream away and focus on something else, which goes so well with this Facebook memory from a year ago. Was going to save it for my second blog but I’ll find something else to share.

Facebook Memory: November 20, 2022

Focus on the good.♥️

Enjoy your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Ask! It’s That Simple

Shaun Bradford
It’s really that simple. Ask!

That was the post I shared last year—November 19, 2022. The segment below is what I also shared that day when I reposted a picture of me meeting Senator Cory Booker at a political event on November 19, 2018. Not going to share that picture (laughing) because I was cheesing so hard that gum was hanging out the corner of my mouth. Y’all I was so happy about that meeting and here’s why.

Facebook Memory: November 19, 2022

I’m going to share this memory EVERY time it pops up because it’s a reminder for me that God does listen and answer. Sometimes I find myself focusing so much on the big things I’ve asked for and received that I forget about the smaller things in between.

About a week or so before this picture was taken, I casually mentioned to a friend that I wanted to meet Cory Booker. The next thing I knew, he was making a quick stop in Hattiesburg. I needed this memory, this reminder that no request is too big for God to fill.

Y’all, God hears us and He does answer. We don’t have to beg for what we want, just ask and leave it alone. We don’t have to find ways to help Him make it happen. Just ask and leave it alone. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.

That meeting was pretty cool because it showed me the power of a simple ask, as well as the love, kindness and grace of God. Y’all, I just love the way He loves me. His gifts are always tailored just for me. They make me feel like a child opening gifts on Christmas morning—I be so giddy.

A year earlier, I wanted to meet someone else and a few weeks later I met them—in Hattiesburg. I didn’t even have to leave town. God sent both of them to me. How wonderful was that!

Anyhoo…I am so grateful for that memory and reminder that nothing is impossible. All I have to do is ask. That’s love.

Okay…now I’m crying.

My prayer for you is that you experience God’s love as well. Those were examples of pretty big gifts; however, every day I receive gifts. Every single day. And I attempt to acknowledge all of them such as being alive, safe, loved, and healthy. My kids are safe and healthy. These are amazing gifts! I am truly blessed.

That’s all I have right now. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and blessed week.

Love you!♥️

Shaun