Tag: positive vibes

hope

Today’s A New Day

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Today’s a new day! Be sure to leave yesterday’s worries, fears, hurts, and disappointments behind. Start today with a fresh mind and open heart, expecting great things to happen. Remember, God is still in control.

I pray this week brings you peace and clarity. May God’s love and grace surround you. Remain open to new ideas and opportunities that align with God’s divine purpose for your life. Remember, more of God and less of you. It’s all about God and His glory, not ours.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

I Still Believe

Shaun Bradford

Being reminded of my “Why” keeps me hopeful.

I hadn’t looked at all of my Facebook memories until moments ago. Six years ago, I created my social media platform, “Mississippi Thriving.” I posted my official welcome message in December of that year, so you may see me celebrate milestones in February and December.

Here’s what I wrote on this date in 2019 and 2020.

My nephews. Only two of my other babies. I have a lot of them.🥰

In the past six years, I have connected with so many wonderful people who share my same vision for a healthier, brighter, and thriving Mississippi. Although it may feel as if we’ll never see it happen in our lifetimes, I still believe it’s possible.

I must keep hope alive.♥️

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 67

Shaun Bradford

God has been speaking to me this morning, and y’all, I’m listening.

His message to me, which may also be a message for you—I (you) can’t carry someone else’s load (this includes their fears). Their load is theirs to bear. I can pray for them and help however I can, but I cannot carry their load for them. My hands and heart weren’t meant to do God’s job. Just like I have been attempting to rest in Him, others will have to find rest in him as well. He let me know that it doesn’t mean that I don’t care, it only means that I cannot do what only He can do.

I just love how He loves me.🥰 ~Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday!☀️

Psalm 118:21–24 (NIV)

21. I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation.

22. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

23. the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Rejoice!

Today’s a new day, which means there’s still hope for something miraculously wonderful to happen. Never give up hope.

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Breathe…

Shaun Bradford

Breathe…

God’s got you.

God’s got us.

You’re going to make it.

We’re going to make it.

Breathe… 🙏🏽♥️

♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**So many are afraid right now. They’re not sure if they’ll have jobs in the upcoming weeks or if they’ll be able to afford food or medication. What’s happening is real. Please keep them in your prayers.🙏🏽

hope

Yes, It’s Still Love Month

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Yes, I am still talking about love! Smile

I’ve shared the same image below since 2022. To continue with the “love” theme, I’m sharing it again today, along with two of my previous captions—the first is included in the screenshot.

Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Here’s the second caption, which was shared last year.

Feeling a bit nostalgic this morning. Taking it back to when times seemed simpler. When love seemed simpler. But what would I know? I was only around four or five when “When Somebody Loves You Back,” was released.🤭 Let’s just say I felt the love Teddy was singing about. It was between this song and L.T.D.’s “Love Ballad.” I’m a 70’s baby, of course I love “LOVE.”☺️

When I shared last year’s post as an Instagram story, I included Teddy Pendergrass’ “When Somebody Loves You Back.” As you can see, I was torn between it and another 70’s favorite, L.T.D.’s “Love Ballad.” I remember my granddaddy playing L.T.D.’s eight track while driving his midnight blue L.T.D. I was so intrigued by the fact that they were both L.T.D.s that I never forgot either—not even the color of his car. Great memories.☺️

As I said in my caption from last year, “I’m a 70’s baby, of course I love “LOVE.”☺️” It’s who I am, and this year I’m embracing it. I am a lover and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said—

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

Let’s light up the world with LOVE!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 66

Shaun Bradford

“Never give up on your dreams. You’re still breathing, so your dreams are still possible.”

When I shared the image and caption above on Instagram and YouTube, I included Yolanda Adams’ song “Never Give Up.” The song says (Lyrics: LyricFind)—

Visions that can change the world 
Trapped inside an ordinary girl 
She looks just like me 
To afraid to dream out loud 

And though it’s set for your idea 
It won’t make sense to everybody 
You need courage now 
If you’re going to persevere 

To fulfill your divine purpose 
You’ve gotta answer when you’re called 
So don’t be afraid to face the world 
Against all odds 

Keep the dream alive don’t let it die, if something deep inside 
Keeps inspiring you to try, don’t stop 
And never give up; don’t ever give up on you 
Don’t give up

When I tell you this last year has been about full-circle moments! Last June, I began serving my second term as president-elect for my state’s dietetics association (the first time was in 2015). Back in November, I was reconnected with someone I wanted to work on a project with ten years ago. Today, we are working on a similar project that’s even better than the one I envisioned. Then, last night, I attended an event and connected with someone who could possibly help me with another project I wanted to work on ten years ago.

Y’all, I had given up on both projects—projects that were part of my dream—but God said not so!

Despite the craziness happening right now, God is still bringing dreams to life. I can’t help but be in awe of Him!

Forever grateful and blessed.♥️

Shaun

hope

Live

Shaun Bradford

Live!

Live the life you’ve always imagined!♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

♥️

hope

Faith

Shaun Bradford

I had the image below saved in my photos. It’s a simple reminder of the magnitude of faith.

Saved on February 20, 2020. Image Credit: Unknown

All you need is a mustard seed size of faith, and mountains will move.♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 65

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Here’s what I shared three years ago in my “Hello Sunday.”

Hello Sunday: February 20, 2022 (entire post)

Happy Sunday! 

I’m currently reading – “The Life You Long For: Learning to Live From A Heart of Rest” by Christy Nockels. So far, so much of her story has resonated with me. Especially the part about being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life trying to achieve goals and the lifestyle you have always dreamed of that you neglect to live. The funny thing is you believe you’re living until you actually begin living. As Christy calls it, it’s living from a heart (place) of rest. In other words, living from a place of peace and contentment.

As Christy has noted in her book, it takes a moment to get to a place of rest and once you get there, it’s still challenging to remain in that space. Because as we know, we cannot control the things that happen around us, but as pastor and author, Joel Osteen would say, we can control how we respond.

For a few weeks now, more so the last two weeks, I have been thinking about the freedom of choice. As we know, socially and economically, everyone does not have the same level of freedom when it comes to choices; however, all of us do have the freedom to make choices, even small ones. Although it is impossible to control others’ actions or events happening around us, we can control our reactions and actions, which is a choice. So when I refer to the freedom of choice, this is exactly what I’m referring to. Nothing intense. Nothing political. But personal choices that we make daily. 

Since I have been living from a place of peace, I have noticed that my choices are different, they’re better. I respond to situations much differently than I used to. The things that used to make me anxious, no longer bother or upset me. I’m also learning to be kinder to myself. Which is BIG! Y’all, I really was my own worst critic. I’m also less judgmental. I have always loved people’s uniqueness, even my own, but that didn’t stop me from judging. Yes, I’m human. Overall, life is so much better than before and it’s all because I have chosen to make it better – I have chosen to live from a place of peace. Now, I would be lying if I said my life is always peaceful, that nothing happens that throws me for a loop. Y’all, every day.. yes, EVERY SINGLE DAY I’m faced with things that challenge my peace; and every day I make the choice of how I respond. To me that’s freedom! And I’m loving it. 

Word of advice – which is what has gotten me to this place of peace – if it disturbs your peace it’s too costly. Let it go.

About a week ago, I was led to re-read Christy Nockels’ “The Life You Long For …”. I needed to find my way back to the peace and rest I had found. I now realize I must work daily to maintain it. It’s not something that will always come easy, especially when I encounter new challenges. From here on, I must be intentional about making necessary adjustments before my peace is completely disturbed. It’s just too costly to wait.

Y’all, I’m so thankful for God’s love and for how He surrounds and covers me in His peace. I am truly, truly blessed.

I pray you’ve found your place of peace and rest in God. It’s such a beautiful place to be. Wishing you the most amazing day yet!♥️

I love you always,

Shaun