Tag: reflections

Life

It’s Five Years Later: So Where Am I? … Actually Four (Revised)

Shaun Bradford

UPDATE: I was so excited when I found this memory that I couldn’t count. Laughing. However, this makes everything that is currently happening in my life even more interesting. Becoming emotional as I think about it. Can’t wait to share!♥️

HA! Can’t believe it’s been five four years already!

Well, had to refer to my journal to see what I had written on July 14, 2019, and here is what I wrote:

“Be intentional about time, talent and friends.”

That was it.

So where am I today according to the quote above?

Time–I am becoming better with managing my time. Sadly, it is a constant struggle.

Talent–I am so proud of myself for tapping into my talents. I’m finally using them.

Friends–Some have come and some have gone, and I am at peace with the way things are going.

So how am I doing according to Bishop’s actual quote below? Keep reading…

“Be intentional. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, and how do you plan to get there?”

Journal Entry: May 22, 2019 (Goals were written and revised prior to Bishop’s sermon.)

Here are my current goals written on February 2, 2019. Over the next couple of years, I need to make sure my endeavors align with these goals. Everything I do at work has to provide skills for my professional and entrepreneurial careers.

Overarching Goals:

  • Make global connections.
  • Support efforts that promote and support healthy, sustainable communities.
  • Spread hope.
  • Promote safe places and spaces [for marginalized groups].

I included details on how I would accomplish each goal, and so far I am right on track. I know at times it may seem like I am all over the place, and sometimes I am (I just love life), but I do know where I’m going. This morning I stepped up my game and took another leap. Will share later. Want to see where it goes first.

Thanks for reading! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.♥️

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

Life

Remember the Good Times

Shaun Bradford

Much too often we remember hurts and disappointments before we remember the good. Today, I encourage you to focus on the good times. The moments that made you smile and feel loved. Have a wonderful day.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Believe

Shaun Bradford

Never stop believing.♥️~ Shaun

A few years ago, I shared a tweet Matthew A. Cherry, producer and director, had shared from years earlier. His original tweet read, “I’m gonna be nominated for an Oscar one day. Already claiming it.” He tweeted this on June 1, 2012. Well, in February 2020, he actually won an Oscar for his animated short film, Hair Love. Fun fact… I backed his Kickstarter for the film. So you already know I was super excited when the film won!

Anyhoo.. just like Matthew and so many others have done – manifest what you desire; believe it will happen; then, work towards getting it. It may take a while, even decades before it comes to fruition; however, you best believe, if it’s meant to be, IT WILL HAPPEN or something greater will. That’s how my God works. Smiling

Enjoy your week!

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

When you are given a gift, use it.

Shaun Bradford, Journal Entry– January 8, 2021

As I look back over my life, I have received so many gifts, tangible and intangible. Sadly, I have only used about about 75-80 percent of them properly. With that said, I may not have used them properly at the time I received them – because honestly, I did not know they were gifts – but once I recognized they were gifts, I used them.

As I move into this next year and next decade, I pray that I am more attentive to what I am given. I pray that I am open to receive and properly utilize what I’m given, as well as use them in a timely manner. Moving forward, I cannot and will not allow fear to stop me from embracing what is already mine.

Question – Are you properly utilizing the gifts you have been given, tangible and/or intangible? If not, what’s stopping you?

Thanks for reading! Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful week.

Shaun

Life

Trust

Shaun Bradford

For most, trust does not happen over night. It takes time to build. Once in place, handle it with care because once it’s broken it can take a lifetime to repair.♥️ ~ Shaun

Sooo… short story. Right as I was posting this to my Facebook page, I started receiving notifications that someone was sharing my posts. I was like cool! Until I looked at who had shared them. How about someone stole my profile picture and banner and began sharing my posts. Talk about WILD!! Why do people do these things? Why pretend to be someone you’re not. At least they used a different name, but my same picture!! Disgusting and disturbing.

Trust… can’t trust nobody!! Shaking my head, laughing.

Y’all have a great day!

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Happy Wednesday! Today, I am celebrating wins. Not the big wins that everyone sees, but the small, teeny-tiny mental wins. You know, the ones that are small but have the greatest impact on our psyche. Yes, those are the wins I am referring to. And if you didn’t know, they are also the wins we need to move forward in this game called Life. Because y’all, life is definitely a game. Listen, if we are not careful, we will find ourselves stuck, repeating the same level for years. It’s a game.

So, even though my wins are small, I am celebrating them like I hit the jackpot because baby, I just entered another level. Yes, I have entered another level of life, which means another level of challenges.

HOWEVER…

This time I am entering prepared because I KNOW it’s a game.

AND…

I finally realize it’s a game that I cannot win without God’s presence, guidance or grace. Yes, the reason I was stuck on the same level for so long was because I tried to win on my own. HA! Silly me! Well, God is leading and I am listening. Okay.. so I would be lying if I said moving forward I will always listen —because some of the things He instructs me to do I just don’t want to do (yes, I can be stubborn – Repeat level–Lol!) —however, it’s my goal to do so. Looking forward to more wins and less repeats.

Yes, God is good and He loves me.♥️ Celebrating

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Celebrating One Year of Inspirations

Shaun Bradford

Happy 1 year anniversary to #ShaunsDailyInspiration!🎉🌟🎉

Earlier this year, I decided to create my own artwork to accompany my quotes, and I’m so happy I did. Y’all, the entire experience is where I feel most at peace. It’s also my quiet time with God. Yep.. It’s my happy place. Smiling

Before I end, I just want to thank God for allowing me to find a niche that I look forward to doing daily. Y’all, I wake up ready to create and inspire. One of my lifelong aspirations has always been to spread love, peace and hope throughout the world. To this day, I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing still inspires me to remain hopeful that one day the world will sing in perfect harmony, even if it’s only for a moment. Hopefully, Shaun’s Daily Inspiration will contribute to making this happen. Hopeful

Y’all, God is good! Be Blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

P.S. If you’re on Facebook and would like a daily dose of inspiration, please follow me!

Life

December 12th

Shaun Bradford

After doing a Christmas light tour in New Orleans City Park – which had me feeling like Princess Tiana – and watching Volume One of Harry and Meghan on Netflix this weekend; then, reading last year’s blog, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy. Y’all, I’m actually ready to try this love thing again. I’m ready to have my dreams come to fruition.

Most of my childhood I heard I needed to get my head out of the clouds. That what I wanted wasn’t possible, wasn’t real (still hear the same thing today). I was 18 years old when my belief took its first hit. Yes, at 18 I still believed I could have whatever I dreamed. NO ONE could convince me otherwise. Then, with every hit afterwards – disappointment in myself, heartbreak, mistake – the less I believed.

Y’all, I needed to see this blog today. I needed to be reminded that my dreams do matter. Yesterday, Pastor Michael Phillips said whatever we had given up on was still possible. And I believe him. All of my dreams are still possible!

The statement that I refer to from December 12, 2014 (blog below) makes me smile. No one was going to rescue Shaun but Shaun. Looking back, I needed to go through the entire experience alone. Believe me, I didn’t want to, but I had to. It was the only way I could find my way back to me, which is who I began searching for eight years ago (story for another time). This time I know what I want and I know that I don’t have to settle – not just with love but with all aspects of my life. Smiling

December 12, 2021– Written after reading Will Smith’s memoir, WILL.

There is no way I can go into another relationship broken. I must realize there is no knight in shining armor to rescue me from myself.

JOURNAL ENTRY, DECEMBER 12, 2014

Hello Sunday December 12, 2021

Last year’s blog is sooo worth the read: Hello Sunday December 12, 2021.

Enjoy!

Life

The Beginning of a Journey

Shaun Bradford

Happy 5th Blogging Anniversary to Me!

Until I read my journal entry from 2017, I had no idea I began blogging in December of that year. My first blog, the one I’m sharing below, was written on December 4, 2017. My “official” first blog was written on December 6, 2017. Boy were my goals and aspirations different. Things changed. Life changed. I really was a different person– a totally different person. As always, God’s timing is impeccable. I needed to re-read these today. So grateful He loves me.

Word of advice– Be careful not to let life or people break you. Set boundaries. Only give from your overflow. Know when to cut ties. And lastly, protect your peace!

Here’s the very first one!
December 4, 2017

I was born in the Mississippi Delta. I was born to a teenage mother. I was born an African American female. Some would say I was born a statistic. …

The Beginning of a Journey