Tag: love

Life

Yes, I Am Here

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I finally got to see the 2023 version of the movie The Color Purple and I absolutely loved it!! If you have not seen it yet but have seen the original movie, play or read the book, I suggest you go in prepared to have a new experience. It was wonderful! And Fantasia! Listen, Fantasia did that!! I felt every word of the song “I’m Here.”

As 2023 ends and 2024 rolls in, I want the universe to know, Baby, I am here!!! Yessss…. I’m here!

I’m Here by Fantasia
Lyrics: LyricFind

I don’t need you to love me
I’ve got my sister, I can’t feel her now
She may not be here, but she’s still mine
‘n I know, she still loves me
I’ve got my children, I can’t hold them now
They may not be here, but they still mine
‘n I know
I know I still love them
Hey
Got my house
It still keeps the cold out
Got my chair
When my body can’t hold out
Got my hands doin things like they s’post to
Showing my heart to the folks that I’m close to
I got my eyes though they don’t see as far now
They see more ’bout how things really are now
I’m gonna take a deep breath
Hey
I’m gonna hold my head up
Gonna put my shoulders back
And look you straight in the eye
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
When they walk by
I’m gonna sing out
Sing out yeah
I believe I have inside of me
Everything that I need to live a bountiful life
With all the love inside of me
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree
And I’m thankful for each day that I’m given
Both the easy and the hard ones I’m livin’
But most of all
Yes I’m thankful for lovin’ who I really am
I’m beautiful
Yes I’m beautiful
And I’m here
Yes you are, you are here.

Life

Stay Humble

Shaun Bradford

Shared this message last year and thought it was worth sharing it again this year and every year from here on—

The new year (2024) is loading…
Stay humble.🙏🏽♥️

I can humbly say that every blessing I have is due to God. He’s the source. The only source. All credit, honor, and praise belongs to Him, not me. Amen.

Keep God first. He is the source of every blessing you have. Acknowledge Him. Honor Him. Praise Him. We must remember that as much as we would love to believe this is our world, it’s actually God’s. (Smile) Wishing you a peacefully, blessed day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Go With The Flow

Shaun Bradford

Life is interesting. It can change at the drop of a hat. The way we decide to respond sets the course for all subsequent events.

Had one thing planned for the day, then one text set things in a different direction. My first thought was to try to find other solutions, then I heard “Don’t fight it, just go with the flow.” Nothing was stopping me from doing so. Nothing. Instead of trying to figure out how I would reschedule things, I decided to let things be.

Forget the plan. Don’t fight against where God is taking you. He’s in control. Allow Him to lead.♥️ ~Shaun

Let go and let God.♥️
Life

A New Chapter: The Next Six Months

Shaun Bradford

First, let me start off by saying God is so Good. Y’all, I needed that visit with my bestie, Shawn, yesterday.

Moment of transparency…

After my mom passed, I began feeling isolated from everyone and everything (still do at times). It was like I began seeing people and things for who/what they were, and decided I no longer wanted or needed to participate in the shenanigans just to feel included (personally and professionally). Basically, the only ones who mattered were my babies. They were the only ones besides my tiny circle (cause family was iffy) who I could count on to remain the same. I am pretty sure most of what I was feeling was grief, but not all.

Anyway, I needed to see Shawn, even if it was only for several hours. Y’all, we laughed and laughed. Like I said, I needed her visit. One thing I can say about our friendship is we don’t let what’s going on around us affect our relationship, never have. Rarely do we waste our conversations on negative things. Life is just too short and too precious to focus on the negative. Which leads me to the topic of this post—my newest chapter.

A few days ago, I hit the midpoint or peak of Year50. Instead of waiting until 2024 or Year51 to start a new chapter, I have decided to start it now. I mean, I am the writer, right? (Laughing) However, with this being said, I must remember God is the editor-in-chief and has the final say. Yeah…I cannot forget this part. Listen, sometimes he throws in more plot twists than my fav and have me all over the place (laughing), but I trust Him. He knows what he is doing. So, welcome to my newest chapter, “The Next Six Months.”

Y’all, it seems like I have a Facebook memory for every occasion. As I said, God is the editor-in-chief, and I guess you can say I am living out the edited version of what has already been written. Here is what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: December 29, 2021

Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!

Speaking it. Receiving it. Owning it! My next chapter will be AMAZING!

That’s all I have for you for now. Listen, you do not have to wait until the new year or a special occasion to start your next chapter. You can always start today. You control the pen. Feel free to end this chapter now and start the next one. But, beware, God does have the final say, and He just might throw in a few unexpected things (those plot twists) to keep life interesting. I mean, who likes boring. Okay…sometimes boring is good. Smile

Have a blessed day!♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are Enough

Shaun Bradford

Just a friendly reminder—YOU are enough. Never doubt yourself. Never doubt what God has placed inside of you. Never doubt who He created you to be. At this very moment, with all that you lack or have, YOU are enough.♥️

Yes…YOU.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Friendships

Shaun Bradford

In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.

Friendships…

Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!

Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.

Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021

“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick

“In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”

Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Thankful

Shaun Bradford

The current song that’s playing in my head is Marvin Sapp’s, “Thank You For It All.”

Y’all, I am still here. YOU are still here. What a blessing! No matter what we have been through, currently going through, or eventually will encounter, we have soooo much to be thankful for.

The song says—

I thank You for it all
The good, bad, the ugly, great and small
The times of victory, and when I fall
I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall
I thank You for my tears
The pain helped me overcome my fears
You’ve been good to me down throughout the years
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing here

All that I am is because of all that You brought me through
And everything I survived, it’s all because of You

If you have not stopped to give God thanks today, I hope that this post prompts you to. You are truly blessed. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Love Is…

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: December 27, 2021

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Took me a while to figure this out and actually name the source of my pain. So glad I did.

When I reshared the post, I added–

Love does not hurt.
Embrace it. Bask in it.
Give love and be loved.

Also on December 27th (2014), I reshared God’s Fruit (Facebook page) post–

Let’s make today about love. I would say everyday, but one day at a time is a good start.

Yes, let’s be intentional about spreading love.

I will start…

I love you, unconditionally!♥️

Shaun

Updated to add…

As someone once said, unconditional love is not unconditional tolerance. Please know the difference. You can love someone unconditionally from afar. You do not have to tolerate the disrespect, hate, and/or harm. Please don’t! Also, don’t let your heart grow cold. A cold heart stops you from receiving and giving unconditional love.

Life

Grateful

Shaun Bradford
Gratitude is key.

Hezekiah Walker’s song, “Grateful,” says–

I am grateful for the things that you have done
Yes, I’m grateful for the victories we’ve won
I could go on and on and on about your works
Because I’m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, it’s gratefulness

Flowing from my heart is gratefulness. There is so much I have to be grateful for including still being here. Every day on earth is an opportunity to witness God’s glory. So often we miss it because we are looking for it in something grand. Today, I encourage you to be intentional about seeing God’s glory, even in the simplest of things.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Let It Snow

Shaun Bradford

When I think of the winter holidays, I think of the perfect winter setting. You know, the kind you see on holiday movies—the couple, the cozy fireplace, the plush blanket, hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint sprinkles, beautiful snow falling, and “Let it Snow” by Boyz II Men—not Dean Martin—playing in the background. It’s what you think of too, right?! Laughing. Although my reality looks nothing like my perfect holiday setting, I can still enjoy the soulful sounds of Boyz II Men singing “Let It Snow.”

Let It Snow by Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight
Lyrics: MusixMatch

It′s another Christmas holiday It’s a joyous thing, let the Angels sing ′Cause we’re together

We got a thing, can’t let it slip away No, go outside, it′s raining sleet When our bodies meet I don′t care about the weather

Let it snow, let it snow, outside it’s cold But the fire′s blazin’ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow, let it snow

Come over here and help me trim the tree I wanna wrap you up, baby Then you′ll see You’re the only present I need

There′s so much more Waiting for you in store From this precious day, I can gladly say There’s no place that I’d rather be

I know, you′ve found my everything Come a little closer God must have sent you down from Heaven

Let it snow, let it snow Outside it′s cold But the fire’s blazin′ So, baby, let it snow Let it snow Let it snow

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten And children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I′m dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white

Let it snow Let it snow, baby But the fire’s blazin′ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow (Let it snow)

Hope you are enjoying your day!♥️

Shaun