Tag: relationships

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

I was just scrolling through my Facebook memories and came across a few pictures I had shared from one of my basketball card collections. Y’all, it’s so ironic that this post popped up today because I have been thinking about parting ways with my cards… with a lot of things.

For a little over two months now, I have been slowly packing up my mom’s house. I never knew how much stuff she had. How many sentimental things she had been holding on to. Listen, it was a lot.

Well, this got me to thinking about some of the things I’ve been holding on to. Things that are very dear to me. Although my sisters and I kept a lot of my moms things– even though we had no real connection with them– will my children do the same? Would I want them to? They already think I hold on to too much, and I think they might be right.

After going through Momma’s things and having to decide what’s worth keeping, selling or trashing, I believe it’s time to let a few things of my own go. My two have told me countless times that they do not want their baby items, preschool drawings or their baby teeth. Laughing. So why am I still holding on to them? Y’all, I have things like their first pair of shoes, the outfits they wore home from the hospital. I also have baby bottles, bows, and stuffed animals. And y’all, don’t get me started on all of the books and VHS tapes I kept. And that’s only their things. Sigh. I have over 30 years of my own things that I have kept. Y’all, I still have my laundry bag from basic training. Why?!! Shaking my head, laughing. It’s definitely too much. So, before this year ends.. which is soon.. I need to decide what’s continuing on with me and what has to go.

Questions: Have you ever had to part ways with sentimental items? If so, how did you do it; and how did you feel afterwards? Do you regret it?

Well, this is all I have for today. Next week we will be in a new year. How exciting!

Enjoy your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are The Perfect Gift

Shaun Bradford

No amount of money will ever bring the love and joy you bring; and no materialistic gift can ever replace your presence. You have spent countless hours searching for the perfect gift not realizing that YOU ARE IT. You are the perfect gift.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Growth!

Shaun Bradford

Hello!!

Y’all, I woke up this morning feeling rejuvenated! You wanna know why? It’s because I actually slept all night.. ALL NIGHT! I went to bed around 11:30 and didn’t wake up until 6:30 this morning. Listen! I haven’t slept all night in ages. Like, years! Honestly, I don’t even know how to process this feeling. It’s like being on a great vacation and being in love all wrapped in one great feeling. Whew!! I had noooo idea a night of great sleep could make me feel this good. I must do it more often.

Anyhoo… Because I slept so wonderfully, I didn’t draw or post a quote this morning. However, I did find a quote in my Facebook memories from last year that I’d like to share. Usually, around this time of the year, I’m releasing something. However, this year, I have nothing to release. In no way was this an uneventful, stress-free year, but I have nothing to release. Nothing. Perhaps I released everything throughout the year. This year I didn’t hold on to hurts and disappointments as long as usual. I processed and released them quickly. Smiling. Growth!

Facebook Memory: December 23, 2021

It is amazing how feelings, thoughts and things can keep us emotionally trapped in the past. We must believe that when God removes something or someone from our lives, it is meant for our good OR their good (yeah…it’s not always about us). Whatever God is telling you to release, release. Your purpose depends on you letting go and moving forward.

Whatever or whoever was left behind was left for a reason. With this said… Whatever or whoever remained, remains for a reason. It’s all about purpose. Y’all be blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Surrounded By Love

Shaun Bradford

This holiday season, I pray you’re surrounded by love. I pray that you’re able to receive it as well as reciprocate it. I love y’all.♥️

Happy Holidays! ~ Shaun

Life

Positive Thoughts & Vibes

Shaun Bradford

Negativity seems to flow so easily and effortlessly. We don’t have to summon negativity, it just comes. Seems as if it’s always waiting to greet us with open arms, as soon as we open our eyes. Sigh

Today, I encourage you to do what I am doing from this day forward —blocking it! As soon as negativity comes in expecting to be embraced, I am greeting it with positive thoughts— “Today will be a wonderful day! You know why? Because I am going to make it wonderful.” “Life is beautiful.” “I will respond kindly to negative vibes.” “I can do this.” “I am a winner.” “I am a child of God!” “Baby, God’s got me!!” Yesss… shutting it down!

Y’all, we must be intentional about creating positive experiences.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

Love Is

Shaun Bradford

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love is understanding.
Love ALWAYS wins.♥️ ~Shaun

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

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

Validated By God

Shaun Bradford

You only need ONE stamp of approval and that’s God’s. Be Blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

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