Tag: self care

Life

Year 45 Month 8 (February 24, 2019)

Shaun Bradford

Smiling as I think about how far I have come. I actually love who I am—without filters, without trying to fit in, without criticizing myself, without trying to change who I am, without seeking validation from others. I love the woman God created. I am truly His child.

When I originally shared this, I was actually trying to encourage myself to embrace all of me. However, it wasn’t until this year, Year50, that I actually did it. I embraced ALL of me. As I said in my previous post, this has been some year! Not the year I thought it would be, but the year I needed it to be. I’m blessed.♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: February 24, 2019

Happy Sunday! Here’s today’s social media find. During different stages of my life, I found myself trying to fit in. I didn’t realize that being different was a blessing, not a curse. I’m not going to lie, I still struggle with the fact that I don’t fit in most circles. Guess you can say I’m more like an octagon.😉😁 Multifaceted. I am rare. I’m exactly how God made me. If you find yourself feeling down because you’re not quite like others, remember, you’re God’s child. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be. Don’t try to change to fit in. Embrace your uniqueness!

When I shared this, I used the hashtag “EitherULoveMeRUDont.” The same applies today. Either you love me or you don’t. The only thing that matters is that I love myself, and I do.☺️
Life

Self Love

Shaun Bradford
Originally shared on February 12, 2022

I used to believe doing something nice for myself was self love. I would buy myself something nice, treat myself to a fabulous meal, get a massage, or spend the day doing either everything I wanted to do or nothing at all. That was my definition of self love. Now… Now, it’s more about protecting my peace and my holistic wellbeing with my spiritual and mental wellness being most important.

Here are a few things I have finally learned and implemented:

– Saying “no” to things I don’t want to do, and without feeling guilty (yeah…it used to weigh on me), is self love. “No” is a complete sentence. No explanation needed.

– Protecting my space (physically and mentally) is self love. I am so mindful of who and/or what I allow into my space. Discernment has been key.

– Receiving good things without feeling like I don’t deserve them is self love. Yes, I deserve good things. I deserve God’s best. I mean, I am His child! Smile

– Being nurtured instead of always being the nurturer is self love. Listen, once you have been on the receiving side you can’t imagine settling for anything less.

– Putting myself and my needs first is self love. I believe this has allowed me to love even deeper. It has definitely strengthened my relationship with God.

It took me forever to get here (decades). And now that I am finally here I have no intentions of going back to life as it was. I love it here. Smiling

Guess you could say this is life beyond Year50.

I pray you have found true self love. Believe me, it’s beautiful and so peaceful.♥️

Shaun

Life

A Necessary Task

Shaun Bradford

Today’s Facebook memory basically falls in line with the pruning I experienced several months ago, and the decluttering I wrote about before the new year. When we really start growing—especially mentally, emotionally and spiritually—we begin to discover we have to let a few things go (sometimes people). We have to let go of things that trigger and/or hinder our growth or progression.

From experience, I know this is not easy thing to do. I still struggle with it. I believe it’s difficult because some things have been with us for years if not our entire lives (certain mindsets, behaviors, and beliefs). Believe me, it takes a lot of discernment and a good relationship with God to know what to let go of and what to hold on to because if we are not careful, we could toss what we need and hold on to what we don’t. Yes, discernment is very important. Also, being still so we can clearly hear God’s voice is utmost important. I know…sounds like a brutal task, doesn’t it? But it’s not. Smile…

Listen, God will never steer us wrong or leave us without. If we accidentally let go of things (opportunities, relationships, etc.) we should have held on to, we will receive them again. Believe me, whatever is meant to stay in our lives, will stay. It’s called God’s mercy, grace, and favor. For those who know, know there’s nothing like it! Amen

Okay… I’m done rambling. Just know that in the end everything always works out because God’s got us!♥️

Here’s today’s memory.

Facebook Memory: January 13, 2022

Walking away from things that no longer serve us is often difficult and sometimes painful, yet it is so necessary for growth. I pray God gives you the strength to walk away from things that no longer serve you so that you are able to move forward freely.

It’s not easy but necessary. And don’t worry about making the wrong decision. God won’t let us fail. What’s meant to be will be.

Sending blessings and love your way. Have a wonderful weekend!♥️

Shaun

Life

Protect Your Peace

Shaun Bradford

Listen, protect your peace at all costs. Do not let the craziness and chaos that’s surrounding you get to you or inside of you. It’s not worth it.

Facebook Memory: January 10, 2022

One of the keys to living a healthier, stress-free life is protecting your peace. Sometimes this means cutting ties with certain people and/or avoiding spaces that cause stress. Listen, your life depends on it. #ProtectYourPeace

NOTE: Symptoms of stress – excessive worry, uneasiness, tension, headaches, body aches, high blood pressure and loss of sleep. (National Institute of Mental Health)

There’s only one YOU. Protect your peace and stay healthy!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

It’s Shaun’s World

Shaun Bradford

The other day while I was doing a little soul searching, I had one of my aha moments. My journey, my world, is an experience that is meant to be shared in real time. As I have said many times before, if I wanted transparency from others, I needed to be transparent myself. My tests and testimonies are meant to be shared now, daily; not in a book later.

Y’all, my life is not perfect. You’re surprised, right?! Laughing. Nope, it’s far from perfect. Here I am, 50 years old, and still do not have life figured out. Sometimes I feel like a twenty year old who believes they still have time to make mistakes until they figure out what works for them. Then there are other times when I feel like I need to buckle down and be serious about life. The latter usually happens after I see people with their stuff together.

Honestly… and I am being so transparent and serious right now… I cannot pinpoint exactly when my life changed. Most of my life I was so serious about what I wanted out of life and was adamant about getting it. Yes, there were setbacks, but I always bounced back with a force to be and do better. I had dreams and goals. Now it’s like my drive is gone. Seems like I spend most of my time chasing the drive rather than the dream. My momentum seems to come in spurts. Basically, I’m tired. That’s it! I’m tired. I’m tired of being in charge. I’m tired of making decisions. I’m tired of taking care of everybody and everything. I’m tired of chasing a forever moving target. I have been in charge of, taking care of, and making decisions for other people since I was around five years old (that’s as far back as I can remember having to do so) and I am straight tied (not tired).

One of my life long goals was to retire before age 50 and live out the rest of my life doing whatever I pleased. Well, I actually retired twelve years ago. While I was manifesting my retirement I should have been manifesting some good money to go along with the retirement. Just saying. Laughing.

I can’t lie, I am actually living in what I wanted, what I manifested (I’m telling you it’s real). So why am I 1) still trying to do things I really do not want to do and 2) not fully enjoying this time I have been blessed to have? Again, it’s like I am chasing a drive that’s no longer here instead of resting in God’s goodness as I should be.

I’ll figure things out sooner or later. I guess this is what Year50 is all about–figuring out how I truly want to live out the rest of my life. Will I continue trying to do things I have no desire to do (because it’s surely not working) or do what I really want to do?

Anyhoo… only time will tell. I pray y’all have a wonderful weekend. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Present and At Peace

Shaun Bradford

Had forgotten about the theme I had chosen for this year, “Present and at peace.” Life started happening and my focus shifted from drawing from my inner peace to focusing on things happening around me. And about a good 90 percent of those things were someone else’s problems. My daughter says I internalize other people’s problems. She says it’s okay to empathize with them but their problems are theirs. And she’s absolutely right. I’m listening.

So today, I am once again choosing to stay present – only focusing on what’s in front of me – and at peace. Praying you do likewise. Have a wonderful day!♥️ ~Shaun

Staying present isn’t easy but it is so necessary to remain at peace.
Life

Step Into Your Calling

Shaun Bradford

You already know what you have been called to do. You have seen the vision and it is very plain. However, you are hesitant to move forward because it will take you completely out of your comfort zone; you feel like there are too many uncertainties to take the risk. Believe me, I understand. I am right there with you. But now is the time for us to step into our callings. No more excuses. No more delays. Those who need what we have to offer need it now… TODAY. Let’s do this!♥️ ~Shaun

It’s time!

Side Note: This consecration time with God that Bishop Jakes suggested Sunday is THE TRUTH! Listen, I thought I was already spending time with God and following His guidance, but clearly I wasn’t. Over these past few days, things that I thought I had handled resurfaced and I had a choice to either bury them again or face them head on. Well, I decided to face them. Listen, if you want to KNOW about yourself, spend a little time with God, real time with God and I guarantee He will show you who you really are. Y’all, it was not easy, but it was so necessary. Grateful

Life

Another Facebook Memory: July 8, 2019

Shaun Bradford

Was going to share this with this morning’s blog, but I knew it would have been too long. This memory is a caption that I had written in response to a video Michelle Obama shared on July 7, 2019. She was speaking about women finding it difficult to put themselves first. It has taken a while, but I am finally finding it so much easier to put myself first.

Facebook Memory: July 8, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. Caution: it’s pretty long, but needed.

I’m a nurturer. I’m a problem solver. If I see something that needs to be done, I do it, whether asked or not. So, I don’t blame anyone else for expecting me to do what I’ve always done.

Since my 45th birthday, stepping back and allowing others to handle problems has become easier. I’m finally focusing on me. These past two weekends have been rejuvenating. I’ve actually enjoyed myself without worrying about my kids (my cheerleaders☺️), my family, or work.

Y’all may think I’m over exaggerating, but I haven’t felt free to only think about myself since I was a little girl. Back then, I was either the oldest, or most “mature,” so I was always put in charge of things. This carried over into my adulthood and 1) was great for my career, 2) benefited others around me, but 3) caused me to lose myself. Well… at 40 I started searching for “ME,” and on June 17, 2019 ALL shackles were released. Whew!! From now on, I’m putting myself first! I deserve it!

Note: Please stop placing so many responsibilities on girls at a young age. It’s okay to teach them to be self sufficient, but also teach them how to take care of themselves. When we know better we must do better. Let’s raise, whole women, not broken women. That’s all!😊

I am enough. Taking care of Shaun. Self care is a must.

Okay… that’s all for today.♥️

Life

April’s Rambling

Shaun Bradford

It’s a little after 6:00 AM and I feel like writing. Yesterday, I drove up to spend a few days with my mom. She’s still in the hospital. They are thinking about sending her to a rehab/nursing facility until her wound (Stage 4 pressure ulcer) heals well enough for her to return home. The good news is, they believe all of the infected tissue has been removed and the antibiotics are working.

I haven’t slept much because she doesn’t really sleep much. She can never quite get comfortable. I really did not know what to expect during this stay. After spending over two months in the hospital with her several months ago, and not having a great experience, I arrived a little tense and expected to do more assisting than keeping her company. Unlike before, she’s actually calling the nurses to assist her, which kind of makes me feel useless. But she’s doing right. It is their job to assist her. I’m learning to stay in my place and be okay with it. I’m only here to be her daughter not nurse or caregiver.

On another note… Two of my friends are already celebrating our 50th year. Last year we decided we would celebrate the entire year. Well, they are actually doing it. Both attended concerts last night. One in Chicago and the other in Nashville. I’m not jealous. I love seeing them have a great time. They deserve it! Plus, my daughter has already gotten us tickets to see Beyoncé in New Orleans, so my fun is coming. I just feel like I have not had the chance to celebrate like I thought I would. Which means I have to be more intentional about making things happen because this year is supposed to be EPIC! Listen, you only turn 50 once! Smile

I will note one thing that is happening – I am actually becoming more and more comfortable in my own skin. I know I write about embracing all of me, often; however, I have never really felt it as much as I do now. I’m not as anxious as I used to be. I am no longer second guessing my decisions. I am also becoming less and less concerned about my flaws, or what others would consider flaws. Maybe this year is more about embracing and celebrating my truest self than creating photographical memories. The transformation that is taking place on the inside is far more important.

Well, I am going to end here. I need to find something to eat. Wishing all of you a great weekend.

Love You!♥️

Shaun