Tag: kindness

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s blog is dedicated to James Earl Carter, Jr., also known as our former President, Jimmy Carter.♥️

Yesterday, my heart sank as I read the following statement from The Carter Center –

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

Why did I immediately want to ask if I could also be by his side. If I could also care for him until he leaves us. Sounds weird, huh?

Y’all, he was my President. My first political memories were during his run for reelection against Ronald Reagan. I was just a little girl when he lost the race and vividly remember myself sitting in front of the tv crying my eyes out. He was my President.

I guess what I loved about him was everything many hated. He was soft spoken. He actually had compassion for humanity and expressed it, which was viewed by some as a sign of weakness. And lastly, he was from the South. I loved his southern drawl.

For me, President Carter represented kindness, hope and the possibility of a beautiful, peaceful and kind world. He was my hero! If you have not read any of my blogs about my favorite childhood song, well, it was, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).” I am pretty sure it was Coca Cola’s adaptation of the song that I fell in love with, but either way, it became my theme song. I was dead set on making this world a better place.

Side note: Had to add this while I’m thinking about it. I also wanted “Chariots of Fire,” to be played at my wedding. Y’all, what was wrong with me?! Laughing. I was so into my own little world. Guess nothing’s really changed, huh? Smiling

Anyhoo… back to President Carter. I have watched him over the years remain humble and give to those less fortunate. I really wish that I could sit with him just to show my appreciation for everything he’s done and given.

What’s so ironic is, Friday I signed up to volunteer for a local hospice care center. I may not be able to be by his side before he leaves us, but I can be by someone else’s. A piece of his legacy will always live on through me through my service to others.

President Carter is a true servant leader and his presence and impact on the world will be greatly missed.

Sending him and his family prayers and love.♥️

Shaun

Life

Happy New Year’s Eve: 2022

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, 2022 was one eventful year! I’m so grateful God was with me every step of the way. So grateful for His guidance, grace and unconditional love.

Each year, instead of a setting a New Year’s resolution, I set a theme for the year. This year’s theme for 2022 was “Unapologetically Me.” I loved and lived up to it. I didn’t set it for others to see, or even notice. It was personal. It was for me to feel and embrace, and I did. Let’s just say it’s how I needed to end this decade of my 40s. Smiling

This coming year I’m entering a new decade of life, my 50s, and want to do things a little differently. Nothing bold. Nothing deep. The energy I’m taking into 2023 is humbleness and gratitude. It’s the energy I would like to have as I usher in the next half of my life. Gotta leave the negative energy on this side of my century. Smiling. Honestly, I’m looking forward to turning 50. God is good.

Okay.. so here is the ultra-condensed, yet very significant version of my accomplishments in 2022:

• I conquered a few fears.
• I found myself again.
• I released control.

I just wanted to add, releasing control was probably the most rewarding. This year, so many things happened that were beyond my control. I had no choice but to give in and go with the flow. Then, there were the things I could control. Well, I found out they weren’t worth the headache or heartache, so I let them go. Y’all, I never knew releasing control could be so freeing. This is a whole-nother level of freedom I never knew existed and I’m loving it!

As I mentioned earlier, I am focusing on humbleness and gratitude in 2023. Not expecting much. Not asking for much. Just grateful for what I already have. If God decides to bless me with more, I will be just as grateful.

Here’s a snippet of how I entered 2022, and how I’m leaving it as I enter 2023.

Wishing all of you much love, peace, happiness and blessings in 2023. May your new year be full of light, laughter and joy. I love y’all!😘

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today, I would like to recognize and thank one of my angels on earth for always being here for me. Y’all, we have never met in person, but we have been social media friends for about 8 years. Started off tweeting together during Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots (#HAHN 😊). Yep.. those were the good old days. Her name is Deborah.

When I think of light, love, friendship and unwavering support, Deborah comes to mind. She’s one of the lights on social media. Always encouraging. Always kind. Always providing words of wisdom. And she’s hilarious! Lol!

Many of you know I have a gazillion social media accounts! At least four or five on different platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. It’s how I compartmentalize my content. For some reason I can’t wrap my mind around putting everything in one location. It’s bad, y’all! Hopefully, I’ve created my last accounts. Fingers crossed!

Anyhoo.. Got sidetracked.

Y’all, Deborah follows me on almost all of my accounts (maybe not on one or two) on every platform! Every time I create a new account, she follows me. She reads and shares my blogs. She shares my tweets. Always supportive! AND I have to mention, we’re e-church members and June babies – her birthday is exactly a week before mine. I’m so grateful to have met her… you (because I know you’re reading).

Deborah, thank you so much for your love, kindness and support. Thank you for consistently supporting my sporadically, spontaneous ventures. You know I be all over the place, but you stick with me. Thank you for listening when I need to vent. Thank you for not judging me. And, thank you for continuously praying for me. You’re the kind of person and friend I strive to be. Praying God showers you with love, peace and blessings. I truly appreciate you!♥️🌸♥️

Shaun