Tag: second chances

hope

Grateful For Second Chances

Shaun Bradford
Full circle.

Singing—

“You gave me
A second chance
You forgave me
like only You can 
You gave me 
A second chance.

For You’re the God of a second chance.”

Yesterday, while I was trying to figure out what God was doing with my life—because I had not remembered asking to go the route my life seems to be going at the moment—I had one of my “aha” moments. On several occasions in my life, I missed what God was doing because I was so focused on things not going the way I planned or looking like what I envisioned. The opportunities to have what I always dreamed of were there, but I kept missing them because I was so focused on my circumstances rather than the opportunities.

For those who haven’t been following me long, as a child, I dreamed of “world peace.” President Jimmy Carter and Sally Struthers were my inspiration. In my eyes, they were both doing things to save the world, and I wanted to help.

In middle school (junior high back then), I started taking French and Spanish classes. Then, I met a group from Switzerland who was visiting our school and decided I wanted to live in Switzerland—hence the reason I’m so set on the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. By the time I reached the 11th grade, I already knew I would be living abroad doing some kind of work to make this world better. I had a French, student teacher who had just returned from a mission in Sri Lanka. She had a nose ring and wore saris and sandals, and I thought she was one of the coolest people in the world. She told some of the best stories. Then, I had another student teacher, a UN Peace Keeper, who did mission trips around South Asia. Y’all, I just knew I would eventually be like them until I had a dream and saw myself at the UN speaking to leaders from so many nations. That’s when I decided I should go more of the corporate route and become a translator or interpreter.

Long story short, NONE of it happened!

Instead, I went to college for a semester and decided college wasn’t for me, so I joined the Air Force. Now, here’s where the opportunities came and kept coming, but I missed them because they didn’t look like what I spent my entire childhood planning for. When I was in Basic Training, I was asked if I wanted to take a foreign language test for either French or Spanish or both, and I declined. I was too afraid I wouldn’t pass them. Get this, they asked me TWICE! I declined both times. The next opportunity came when I received orders to Germany. I didn’t want to go to Germany, so I never took advantage of the opportunities I had there. Opportunities like learning the German language or traveling to France. I was stationed near the border and about a 4-5 hour drive from Paris—we even had tours going there all the time—and I didn’t go. Was waiting on my boyfriend to go with me (that’s a whole-nother story🙃). I also wanted to go to Greece and didn’t go. Y’all, I was even stationed in Turkey and didn’t go to Greece. Now, don’t get me wrong, I did travel within both countries but never did the things I said I wanted to do because I couldn’t see past what I envisioned. Talk about a word!!!

So, yesterday, while I was trying to figure out where God was going with all this (a few more things happened yesterday that had my mind spinning, too—this has been some week!), He dropped in and reminded me of those missed opportunities. He told me that even though what was happening didn’t look like what I saw, this was it! This is part of the process. If I want to get where I saw myself all those years ago, I must go through this first.

Ha! Then, this morning, I saw the Facebook memory above.

Full circle.

A second chance.

Last June, I started my term as president-elect, and on June 1st, I begin my term as president.

My life.

My journey.

I know God is with me.🙏🏽♥️

Shaun

Life

Be Ready & Prepared

Shaun Bradford

Here’s an excerpt from my journal entry written on May 28, 2017:

“God’s not dead. Jesus is not dead. Remember this. He’s all powerful! God is about to open windows. You NEED to be ready! READY! PREPARED!”

Not quite sure what all happened after that, but I do know later that year I launched my first consulting business, The ResearchDiva–RD. Y’all, I was ready. Couldn’t tell me nothing. I was The Research Diva–RD, ready to save the world! Global health equity was my mission and I was on it. When I tell you I just knew I was about to be working with international entities. Looking back, maybe I was a little too confident. Doors were opening and I was making moves and connections. However, what I had not accounted for were the hiccups and setbacks that came with my quest. Y’all, why did I think everything was going to flow as smoothly as I had planned in my head and on paper? All it took was one blow and I was out. Just being transparent. I was done. Physically I was still there doing the work; however, mentally I was gone.

So, here I am seven years later seeing and hearing that same message everywhere—“Be Ready! Windows are opening.” And I see it happening. Over the past few months some of the same opportunities I had 7-8 years ago have re-presented themselves and of course I am taking them. I know everyone doesn’t get second chances so I refuse to let them slip away. However, unlike seven years ago, I am not oblivious to the fact that all good things and successes come with challenges. This time I’m prepared. Yes, this time, no matter what happens, I will keep going.

Listen, please do not think this message is only for me. No, YOU should also be ready and prepared. Windows are opening. Setbacks and disappointments will happen as you move forward, but keep going!

I pray you are having a wonderful day thus far. Be blessed and again, keep going!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Rebranded, but still the same goal—health equity.♥️
Life

Year50: Where The Real Second Chances Begin

Shaun Bradford
Beyond blessed!🦋

I have written numerous posts about second chances. How God is so gracious that He gives us multiple opportunities to get things right, or to achieve our goals and dreams. Over the years, I felt like so many opportunities and time had slipped away. Honestly, I had given up on pursuing certain dreams and aspirations because I believed I had missed my chances. I felt like so many doors and windows had closed and would not reopen. But God!

Now, here I am at age fifty embarking on a new decade, and embracing the second half of my life. Had no idea 50 would be so liberating. As I shared in my previous post, my kids are grown! Like, they are adults. The only responsibility I have is me. The only person I actually have to make decisions for is myself. This is my second chance at adulthood. My chance to pursue my dreams. Smiling

Y’all, God is so good! I promise not to waste time on trivial things. It’s funny because earlier in my adulthood I deemed the years leading up to 50 as my trial and error years, and the years after 50 would be when I lived. Whew!! Y’all, I actually manifested how I wanted to live and then became agitated when my life followed what I had spoken. God really does have a sense of humor, but it’s all based on love. He gave me the experience I asked for (be mindful of what you speak). I am so grateful and blessed that He loves me the way He knows I need to be loved. As always, I am truly blessed.♥️ ~Shaun

This is the blog I shared a year ago on this day, April 20, 2023.

Second Chances

Life

Second Chances

Shaun Bradford
Blessed.🙏🏽

Do you believe in second chances? Do you believe that missed opportunities actually come around again? Well, I do. I am currently experiencing it. Had no idea it was about to happen. Know this, the dream(s) God placed inside of you will come to pass…when you are ready. You may have thought you missed your chance or fumbled the first opportunity, but you didn’t. The first time was just a test run. Will share more soon.

Listen, I do not care how tempting it is to settle, or how bleak things may seem, do not give up on your dreams. They will happen.

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

Grateful For Second Chances

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: February 13, 2023

God loves us so much that He gives us opportunity after opportunity to get things right. If we miss them, it’s on us. So grateful for second chances.♥️

Often, when we think of second chances, we think of opportunities we missed accepting. However, it also applies to opportunities we should have rejected or declined.

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself at a familiar crossroad, to accept—which I had done many times before and felt miserable afterward—or decline an opportunity. Well, this time I declined the opportunity. Had told a friend that I felt like I was being tested. Well, I was! Not even a few days later, I was presented with another opportunity, a better one; one that was perfectly aligned with my goals and purpose, and it was completely unexpected. I didn’t even see it coming. When I tell you I cried! Had I accepted the other opportunity, I would have been miserable, again. Which would have affected my mental and emotional, and probably physical, wellbeing. Listen, it felt so good to finally pass that test and I was gifted something better. Smiling

Here is how I am moving going forward. I am no longer accepting things that are not aligned with my goals, purpose, values, or worth. I asked God for different, which means I have to move differently. I am not saying I won’t make some of the same mistakes as before (I’m human), but it won’t take me as long to correct them. I’m growing. Life is changing. And I am so here for it. This side of 50 is different.

Well, that’s all I have for now. Wishing you a wonderful Galentine’s Day (you too, fellas😊)!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

“Some opportunities only happen once.”

I wrote this on May 30, 2015 when I had the opportunity to do a promotional video for Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience. When I received the email, my initial thought was- “Is this legit?” After the writer assured me that it wasn’t a joke– because I’m very leery of things I receive online– I became afraid. Y’all, so many thoughts filled my head– “How will I look on camera?” “Will I say the right things?” “How many people will see the video?” “Why me?” The more the questions flowed in the more fearful I became. So I replied to the email and politely declined making the video, but I did provided written feedback. Y’all, I really loved the 21-day series. I participated in multiple ones. They helped me manage my emotions during some really difficult times. If you ever have the opportunity, please sign-up. And guess what- they’re usually free!

So that was six years ago. Now let’s fast-forward it to a few months ago. I was contacted by someone doing PR for a show I watch. They asked if I would do a short video about how I liked the show. Unlike the first time, this time I was offered a small incentive, which should have encouraged me to do it, but I declined. Again, the same thoughts came rushing in with the first being “Is this legit?” Once again, fear had won. Later that evening, I saw a video that another viewer had submitted and thought to myself, “I could have done that.”

So, do opportunities only happen once? My answer is no. If it is something that is meant to be– like me being heard as well as seen– the opportunities will continue to come. A little over a week ago, I was contacted by a journalist from a TV station to do an interview. This time I wasn’t afraid. I accepted the opportunity. Do I care how I’ll look, or if I’ll say the right things? Of course! However, those thoughts no longer control me, nor does fear.

Y’all, I am so grateful God doesn’t give up on us, especially when we have given up on ourselves. After the first opportunity, I was sure no one would ever contact me again. Honestly, I felt like a failure. But God had other plans! As I’ve said many times before, I’m so grateful for second, third, fourth, and even 100 chances. God is good.

Shaun