Tag: positive vibes

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

Hold On

Shaun Bradford

Hold on. God is working. He’s already set things in motion. Listen, you cannot afford to give up now.♥️ ~ Shaun

Don’t give up. It’s already yours.

It’s been two years since I took my amazing leap of faith. Truthfully, I have zero regrets. However, I have found myself at a crossroads. I’m at a point where part of me wants to go back to what’s familiar, to what is safe and comfortable; while the other part wants to ride this thing out and see where it takes me. I keep hearing, “Hold on,” and “You are sooo close.” But reality is staring me in the face saying, “Girl, get your head out the clouds! Try again later when you’re better equipped.”

It’s a lot.

I feel like if I do not see this thing through, I will always turn back when things get hard. I know God’s got me. This is just one of those hurdles I have to face.

Y’all have a blessed weekend.

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

Keep Climbing

Shaun Bradford

The climb may be steep, but the grass is green and the weather is perfect. Keep climbing. You are almost there.♥️ ~ Shaun

You have come too far to give up. Keep climbing.
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

Wednesday Praise

Shaun Bradford

Woke up singing, “O magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised.”

Y’all, I do not know what God has planned, but I do know He’s moving, and He’s moving pretty fast. I have made more connections and achieved more goals in the last month than I have over the past few years. It’s so amazing to see. It’s like I’m starring in my own movie and watching it at the same time. How cool is that?!

Anyhoo… Let me get up and get going. I have things to do. It feels so good to once again be doing the things I love. Smiling

God is so good and so worthy to be praised. Amen

Praying you have a wonderful Wednesday! Will talk to you soon.♥️

Shaun

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

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