Tag: positive energy

Life

Living in My Dreams

Shaun Bradford

Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.

Maya Angelou

That was one of the quotes under today’s Facebook memories. As usual, I’m in tears (always emotional).

Several blogs ago, I mentioned that it had dawned on me that I am actually living in my dreams. That, in my 20s, I was too naive to recognize it and took so many opportunities for granted. Do y’all know I could have traveled all of Europe at the drop of a hat and didn’t because 1) I did not want to be there, 2) I didn’t want to travel alone (my boyfriend didn’t want to go anywhere) and 3) I always believed I would have other opportunities. Just reminiscing about how I so carelessly disregarded my blessings and opportunities makes me cringe. I had the world in my hands and didn’t even recognize it. Y’all, I had been given what I asked for – to work for an international company and travel the world – and because it did not come the way I envisioned, I blew it off.

Side Note: So I saw myself at the United Nations. Even saw myself in the Peace Corp. But I never ever considered that the Air Force would provide some of the same experiences. I mean, two weeks after basic training I was in Germany. When I tell you God will give you what you ask for! Whew! It was just a little too much. (Laughing)

Okay… Back to my story.

I will say that my life changed after I found out I was pregnant. It was the strangest feeling (I can still feel it now). It was like the blinders fell off and everything was new. By then, I only had a little over two months left in Germany. I booked two weekend tours – one was a tour along the Rhein River and the other was a tour of the Black Forest. I so vividly remember holding my stomach, which was still flat as a rock, and saying, “Now I have someone to travel with.” And I did.

Wish I could say that after I left Germany I readily embraced my blessings and opportunities, but I would be lying. Three years later, almost to the date, God dropped me in Turkey for two years. One of my dreams was to visit the Mediterranean region. And I was there! Receipts of how God works in my life.

Well, while I was in Germany, there were weekly tours to Cyprus and Greece, but I never went. Sadly, I was placed right there in the area – only a few hours away – and still did not go!! Y’all, I was there two whole years and made up excuses of why I couldn’t go. I did travel to a few places in Turkey, though. However, I didn’t take advantage of all of those opportunities either. I was near most places I had read about in the Bible and acted like it was a common thing to be so close. UGH!!

Okay…

I’m seeing a pattern here…

“Aha” moments all over the place!

I hate that it has taken me so long to recognize I am absolutely blessed. No, nothing has ever happened the way I imagined, but it has and is happening right before my very eyes. This time, I’m living in it!! I’m taking it all in. I will admit, I have missed some great opportunities, but it’s okay. Just like God dropped me in Turkey, He’ll send more opportunities and blessings. However, THIS TIME I’m embracing EVERYTHING!

I am actually living in my dreams! Blessed♥️

Y’all, this is all I have for you today. I pray you are living in your dreams. One way to know is to block out all distractions… you know, the worries, lack of, and negative energy… and only focus on the precious things you have (opportunities, health, family, love, etc.). Are you living in your dreams? I bet you are!

Have a blessed day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday, y’all!

Grateful.♥️

I set out to write about one of the first Facebook memories I came across this morning. It was a quote that read – “If you don’t build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.” My first response was to use it to expound on yesterday’s blog about being at a crossroads. However, I kept scrolling; and I am so thankful I did because I would have missed out on so many wonderful gems.

Y’all, sooo many wonderful things have happened over the past several years, and almost all happened during the month of March. Outside of my birthday month, which is June, March is absolutely beautiful.

So, today, I’m going to keep it beautiful by ending this blog now. I’m afraid if I say more I might tarnish this lovely moment. Just know that I’m beyond grateful for all of my gifts.

Wishing you a wonderfully, blessed week.

Shaun

Life

Woke Up Blessed

Shaun Bradford

I’m blessed! Woke up blessed.

Y’all, I am so grateful for life. For another opportunity to do better… to be better. Yes, I am definitely blessed and so are you.♥️ ~ Shaun

Blessed!♥️
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Breaking generational cycles of dysfunction.

Yesterday I shared the quote, “Humbleness is where ego ends and God begins … Humbleness looks good on you.” I actually shared it a year ago and decided to reshare it yesterday. Little did I know that I would need to take my own advice so soon. Ha! I had no idea I would have to put my ego aside and apologize for unintentionally hurting someone’s feelings.

Everything happened so fast. Words were said out of emotions that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. It was me responding emotionally to something this person – okay, it was my daughter – does all the time, which should not have surprised me. However, it did. Y’all, I am not even sure what triggered me, but the way I responded made her feel like she was being attacked. Honestly, I did not believe I was in the wrong. I felt the way I responded was appropriate and justifiable. However, in the end, we both felt hurt.

After taking a step back and replaying the entire interaction, I actually heard what she was saying. I apologized even though I could not fully understand why she was offended. She then apologized too.

I have this wall hanging that reads, “In this house… we never give up, we say I’m sorry, we like to have fun, we give hugs, we are family.” This basically sums up the tone of our household. It is a tone I intentionally set after my divorce; and it is up to me to make sure it stays this way, even when I’m not feeling it.

Y’all, I did not grow up in a household where apologies were made or anyone’s point of view was taken into consideration. If you felt hurt, that was on you. It has taken me years to break this way of thinking. If I want this world to be a better place, it has to first begin at home.

Again, humbleness is where ego ends and God begins.

Have a blessed week!

Shaun

Life

Positive Thoughts Only

Shaun Bradford

Negativity only keeps us in cycles of dysfunction. Let’s change this! Today, we are intentionally blocking negative thoughts, conversations and behaviors. Positive vibes only –all day, EVERY day.

Yes, we are intentionally choosing positivity.♥️ ~ Shaun

God’s got you!
Life

Cherish Every Moment

Shaun Bradford

Last year’s quote is perfect for today. We must cherish every moment while we can and take nothing or no one for granted. Y’all, we are truly blessed. Enjoy your day.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

God Is …

Shaun Bradford

God is …
Feel free to fill in the rest.
Enjoy your day!♥️

** The second drawing is from last year. Not sure what it was supposed to be. A picture of fans, maybe? Lol. Anyhoo… it was the inspiration for today’s drawing.🙃

Singing, “God is the joy and the strength of my life …”
Life

Balance

Shaun Bradford

Our life needs balance. There is no way we can truly live our best lives without it.

Yesterday, a friend of mine shared her personal journey with being self-disciplined. How at one point she was so disciplined that it became unhealthy. If you read either of yesterday’s blogs, that’s exactly what was happening with me. Now, I wasn’t as disciplined as her, but I was on my way there. For the longest, I have been trying to force myself to stay focused on my work by eliminating “distractions.” However, all I was doing was making myself sick. I cannot eliminate things from my life that actually bring we joy. I just can’t. So I have to find a way to balance it all.

Y’all have a blessed day.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

A few moments ago, I liked a tweet that said, “In this very moment, my life is perfect.”

Hmmm…

In this very moment, my life is muddled.

Yep..

Right now.

In this very moment.

Muddled.

It’s kind of difficult to explain. I feel somewhat detached and alienated from the world. I can hear people saying, “Hush, don’t tell anyone how you really feel. Keep that to yourself. You’ll get over it.” And I will get over it. I always do. However, in this very moment, this is my life and this is how I feel. Honestly, I’m not even sure how I got to this point. My goal was to block out distractions and focus on my business; but it seems like the more I do, the more I feel alone.

Today is my designated wellness day. I believe I need to take it. No work.

Why did my heart just drop when I wrote “no work”? It’s like I cannot afford not to do anything. Ugh!

But, yes, today I just need to be. Wish I could go on a picnic or to the beach. I need to be one with nature. I need to really connect with God, and I can’t do it from where I am. Plus, today it’s too rainy and too cold to be outside. Sigh

Anyhoo..

I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow. I promise it will be something uplifting. Enjoy your day.♥️

Shaun

Life

Life

Shaun Bradford

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, laughter and disappointment, love and heartbreak and it is so worth living. So LIVE!♥️ ~ Shaun

BTW – I will be 50 in five months!! Y’all, life is so wonderful and God is sooo good! Smiling