Tag: joy

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
God is working.

Last week I wrote a blog for my other site, A Research Diva’s Journey (see blog below). Y’all, my heart was so full. Tearing up just thinking about what transpired. I say this all of the time, and I truly mean it, money and things don’t bring me joy, experiences and seeing others excel does it for me. Those are the things that make my heart smile and show me that any– and everything is possible!

This particular blog is about President-Elect Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. No, she’s not the first African American who’s held this position, nor is she the first African American female. However, she is the first to make me feel like my journey to the United Nations is actually tangible. She’s a southern girl (woman) born right next door in Louisiana. In her TEDx she mentioned her parents. They reminded me of my great-great grands who encouraged us to get a good education because it was an opportunity they were not afforded. As a teenager I wanted to join the Peace Corp. Guess what?! She joined the Foreign Services. Y’all, what really resonated with my soul was her motto to always lead with kindness and compassion. Yes… I’m crying. She is ME!

Below is the beginning of my blog, Limitless Possibilities. If you have time, please read it. Y’all, God is working! Shaun

Yes, I’m still here! Smile. Life is definitely a journey and I am on one. Have you ever wondered why God reveals things in stages? Or why He shows …

Limitless Possibilities
Life

Thanksgiving

Shaun Bradford

Today I am giving thanks for every blessing God has bestowed on me. I’m alive. I’m well. My kids are here with me. My parents, siblings and their families are well. Y’all, I’m blessed.

With that said, I am also thankful for the small blessings I often take for granted like breathing freely. At this moment there are millions suffering from the side effects of COVID-19, one of which is labored breathing. Last week I watched my uncle struggle to breathe while urging us, his family and friends, to take the virus seriously. His Facebook Live from ICU was very emotional and difficult to watch. Watching him weep while telling God why he wasn’t ready to die was heart wrenching. It is not something I ever want to experience, or wish upon anyone else.

Two other things many of us take for granted are shelter and having access to food. How many of you actually wake up thinking I could be homeless right now or wondering how you will feed yourself and/or family? Unfortunately, there are hundreds of thousands who woke up last Thanksgiving oblivious of what was to come. Like you and me, they never imagined being homeless or food insecure. However, now they are homeless and have no idea of how they will eat tomorrow or next week. Just imagine being a parent trying to figure out how to provide for your children and you can’t even provide for yourself. Again, it is something I never want to experience. Prayers for those who are.

Y’all, this pandemic has really made me more aware of my blessings. It is so important that we stop and thank God for the blessings we have today because it is not promised that we will have them tomorrow.

Before I end, I would like to say I am thankful for each one of you. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blogs. It is something that I do not take for granted. I really do appreciate you. Wishing you peace and many blessings.

Shaun

Life

Insanity

Shaun Bradford

So the quote goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I would credit the quote to Albert Einstein, but I found out the original quote came from someone else. Who knew?! Anyway, it still defines insanity, especially when you are seeking a better outcome. Now if you’re satisfied with where you are, by all means, continue doing what you have been doing. However, if you desire something different, something better, you have to change what you are doing.

My question to you, which is the same thing I have asked myself, are you tired of doing the same thing over and over again and getting nowhere? Or are you satisfied with where you are? If you are tired or unfulfilled, it’s time to do something different. Even if it means restructuring or rebuilding your life.

Personally, I do not want this year to end like it began. I don’t want to go into 2021 carrying the same old baggage. It’s time to switch things up and to continue switching things up until I get my desired outcome. Then I’ll have to switch it up again. I do not believe things were meant to stay the same. Now that’s insanity!

So, not long before I decided to write this blog, I watched a short clip of an interview motivational speaker Lisa Nichols had with Steve Harvey. In the video, Lisa said:

My biggest accomplishment is being willing to give myself a thousand second chances. And every time I got to 999, I press reset. . . At some point I have to stop asking– Can I be great? Can I be brilliant? Can I be okay and still be accepted? I just stopped asking permission and just gave notice unapologetically. Not in a braggadocious way. Not in a way that shrunk anyone else. In a way that said I only got one life and I’m going to ride this one until the wheels fall off.

Lisa Nichols

Lisa’s right, we only have one life. We owe it to ourselves to stop doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. I don’t know about you, but like Ms. Nichols said, I’m ready to ride this thing called life until the wheels fall off.

Be Blessed!

Shaun

Life

Sending Positive Vibes Your Way

Shaun Bradford
Stay focused. Stay present. God’s in control!

Today’s a new day! Time to get up and get going. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised. Stay present and always stay focused.

Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way. Remember, you have control over what you allow into your space. Take time for a little self-care. Turn off the television. Log off social media. And relax. Meditate. Stream a good movie or show. Read a good book. Dance. Take a walk. Play a game. Love on your family and friends.

Listen, life is short, and stress literally kills. So please do something that makes your soul happy and your heart smile. Remember– You matter!

As always, this message is for me, too. Believe me, every time I write something inspirational in the morning, I always have to reference it a few hours later. Lol! Guess that’s how God works.

Staying present. Positive vibes, only!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday!

Shaun Bradford
Hello Sunday!

Today is the first Sunday of the month and the first day of November. Which means today is extra special– new beginnings all around!

Today’s blog is very short…

Stay focused on God– not others, or your surroundings, or your situation– God. Anytime negativity comes into your space, set your focus on Him. If you don’t remember anything else, remember– God’s got you!

Praying these last two months of 2020 bring you love, joy, peace and indescribable happiness. You deserve it!

Shaun

Life

Wednesdays

Shaun Bradford

Wednesday is the apex of a typical work week. Y’all, I live for Wednesdays. Especially Wednesdays after 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays make me feel like no matter what Thursdays or Fridays hold, I will make it.

With that said, I know Wednesday does not have the same meaning for everyone. And for many, it is not the apex of their work week. It’s just another day. You see, I was a shift worker throughout my active duty career. When I worked eight-hour shifts, they were a mixture of day shifts, swing shifts, and mid shifts. Twelve-hour shifts were either 12 hour days or nights. I never had a consistent schedule or many weekends off, so I longed for regular work weeks. I longed to feel normal. So today, I am grateful for this privilege. So grateful for Wednesdays.

It’s the little things that makes me smile and Wednesdays make me smile.

Shaun