Tag: storytelling

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Today is the first Wednesday of the year! Which means I have well over 100 (closer to 200) more Wednesdays of writing. I know it sounds like a lot, but I can do it. I will get it done. Smiling

Not really sure what I want to write about today. Yesterday, I realized I didn’t do an end of year review for 2022. So many people had posted wonderful videos recapping their 2022 and I didn’t post a thing. Even on New Year’s Eve, I only posted three things that really summed up my entire year – I conquered fears, found myself again and released control. And truthfully, that about sums up everything that happened last year.

This year has already started off differently than past new years. This year actually feels different. It’s like I’m seeing things differently. It’s as if my entire life is changing before my eyes and I actually feel it happening. Honestly, it’s the most present that I have ever been. Maybe it’s the awareness that I’ll be 50 this year. Maybe my entire being feels it. It’s so hard to describe. It’s such a wonderfully, strange feeling.

Short story—

At some point during my teenage years, I imagined myself living two drastically different lives – the first 50 years and the remaining 50+ years. As you can see, I have always seen myself living a very long life. Smile. The first half was for… Y’all, basically it was for doing what I have done – find myself and retire. Y’all, that was just an “Aha” moment. At the time that I declared I would live two lives, I didn’t refer to it as “finding myself.” I always thought of it as this exploratory phase. During my first 50 years, I would take chances and try different things until I discovered what I liked and didn’t like; what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do. Then I would take all of this information and experience and decide how I wanted to live the second half of my life. Listen!! You don’t have to believe me, but God will give you exactly what you ask for and most times you don’t even know He’s doing it. Sitting in awe right now! It wasn’t until late last year that I even realized I retired before I was 50. For some reason, I hadn’t really recognized my retirement from the military as the “retire before age 50” that I had asked for. When I tell you God forever amazes me!

So, Year 50 is loading. Although I still have several months to go, I can already feel the change taking place. I know most of you reading this probably think I’m crazy, but I am so serious. My life is changing.

I know how I imagined myself living the second half of my life. Not going to share. I don’t have to speak it into existence because I already spoke it decades ago. I’m just going to take it all in and let it happen.

Well, I guess you can also mark this as my first “random rambling” for the year. As always, thanks for reading. Remember to stay present and your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I had some kind of day yesterday. I’m not going to go into details, but it ended with me verbally declaring over and over, “I will not be defeated! I AM a child of God.” By the end of the night, the things I was stressing about had disappeared. Well.. they hadn’t actually disappeared, they were definitely still there; however, I no longer felt overwhelmed.

HA! That was yesterday…

Honestly, I have no idea why I check my emails at 3:00 AM, but I do. Ugh. It’s definitely a habit I need to break. Well, this morning I opened my email and the very first one hit me like a ton of bricks. Whew! Unlike yesterday when I allowed things to get me all worked up, I immediately began declaring – again, verbally – that I AM a child of God and I WILL NOT be defeated!

Y’all, I truly believe words have more power when they’re spoken, when they’re released into the universe. Now.. this goes for negative words too. So, be careful of what you release.

Today, at this very moment, I am declaring —

NOOOO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME WILL PROSPER! I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND HE’S GOT ME!!

Listen, if you’re also going through some things, please feel free to make the same declaration, verbally. Change it up however you like. Just make sure you get it out into the universe.

Well, there’s nothing I can do right now about that email so I’m going to publish this blog and go back to sleep. God’s got me.

Y’all have a blessed day.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Hey Y’all! This is like day 30 something that I’ve been blogging from this oh so comfy hospital futon. Gotta love it!

I keep telling myself I’m built for this. That God will never put more on me than I can bear. Sometimes I believe it, then other times I’m not so sure.

I always say I love watching God work – referring to the great things that I see Him doing in other’s lives. However, with that said, I also know that they’re human and can’t possibly be exempt from difficult times. I refuse to believe that they’re that special because I KNOW God loves me! Therefore, I’m considering this one of those difficult moments that I have endure before I get to greatness. Yes.. greatness! My God doesn’t play small. He always plays BIG. Smiling

Side note: When I speak about greatness, I’m not referring to notoriety, but my own personal feeling of achievement. Right now, it seems like I have eons to go. However, I must remember that God’s blessings will always make up for whatever time I feel I have lost.

Okay y’all, I’m going back to sleep. It’s early. I’m only awake because my mom keeps calling me to change the channel and asking when are they bringing breakfast. Y’all, she doesn’t want my peanut butter crackers. Said that’s for healthy folks. And she can’t see or hear the tv to know what’s on, but I keep turning it anyway. Funny and fun times from this hospital room. Can’t help but laugh. This too will pass.

Praying you have a lovely Sunday!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Smiling because this particular Facebook memory is soooo timely!

This week, Tyler Perry (yes.. I’m writing about Tyler again- lol) has two productions premiering. Tonight we get a sneak preview of his new show Zatima, which is a spin-off of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Tomorrow, the first season premieres on BETPlus. Then Friday, his movie, A Jazzman’s Blues, premieres on Netflix. What a birthday month!! Y’all know I love birthdays and this is like top tier of birthday celebrations. Doesn’t get any better than this! Or does it?!

Anyhoo.. back to my Facebook memory. A few blogs ago I wrote that from what I could tell from A Jazzman’s Blues’ trailer, the movie is definitely Oscar worthy. Well, here’s what I wrote two years ago, the day after Tyler and his foundation won the Emmys’ Governors Award.

Facebook Memory: September 21, 2020

I have to brag on Tyler Perry for a minute. Yeah..yeah.. yeah.. I know, I do it all the time. But you have to understand what last night meant. He received his first Emmy, y’all! He received it in spite of the criticism he receives daily, ESPECIALLY from fellow artists. You don’t have to like Tyler, or his work. However, you must acknowledge that he’s doing something right. This man puts in the work!

Y’all, this is proof that God will move mountains to make sure you receive what you deserve. As Tyler is notorious for saying, “All you need is ONE yes from God.” So don’t let criticism, disappointments or hate stop you from pursuing your dreams. Shake it off and keep moving. Because NOTHING, and NO ONE, can stop God’s plan for your life. But most importantly– NOTHING WILL STOP GOD’S PURPOSE!

Whew!! I got chills reading my own post! Laughing.

Looking forward to seeing where this leads. I’m so excited for Tyler!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford
Not my will, but God’s.

Below is a Facebook memory from three years ago. Today, I needed this reminder. Everything I do is to support God’s purpose. It’s not about me.

Facebook Memory September 14, 2019:

Have you ever asked God why He chose you? I have. Sometimes I still do. Y’all, we were chosen for a reason. He chose us, with all of our imperfections, to fulfill whatever purpose He has. He’s so awesome!

I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know I was chosen for a reason. For this, I’m forever grateful.

To this day, I still don’t know what lies ahead. So much has happened since I made that post. I didn’t know I would suffer one of the biggest heartbreaks of a lifetime. I didn’t know that I would be a coauthor in a book. I didn’t know that I would finally take the leap and leave my job– without a backup plan. I didn’t know that I would be one of the primary caregivers for all three of my parents. I didn’t know that by resting in God, and truly allowing Him to lead, that I would experience such peace. Y’all, I actually feel like a Queen at times. Smiling. I haven’t had to want for anything. God is sooo good.

Today, I’m still perplexed about why God chose me. Why He entrusted me with so many responsibilities, while treating me like royalty. I pray that I’m making Him proud. I pray that I’m doing a good job fulfilling His purpose.

Shaun

Life

Provisions Beyond Expectation

Shaun Bradford

Provisions beyond our expectations. That’s what God provides. And somehow He always manages to sneak in a little something extra – lagniappe.

Expect the unexpected!

So.. I only intended to write a few lines and share today’s quote; however, I cannot publish this without sharing a snippet of my testimony. You see…

Four years ago (August 23, 2018), I was searching for a house to lease. The one I had moved into after my separation had served its purpose. Plus, I needed more space (my son had outgrown his room). Well, I found a house, but could never reach anyone to inquire about it. At the time, my daughter worked for a realty firm so I asked for assistance with finding another contact. Y’all, I really wanted the house. Unfortunately/fortunately she couldn’t, but she did find another house in the same subdivision. One that had just been listed. The one I’m currently living in now.

Four years ago, I wrote about my experience while viewing the house. The house far exceeded my expectations. Not in size – because it’s tiny – but in the details. Not details others would notice but the ones only God knew.

Before losing my first home, I had plans to remodel. Had drawn them out. Had picked colors. Then, the foreclosure happened (couldn’t afford it after my separation). The first place I moved into exceeded my expectations. I had asked for specific things and God provided a little more. When I moved from there, He gave me what I had asked for and again, a little more. You see, I asked for the basics. The things I could think of – number of bedrooms, bathrooms, 2 car garage, front porch – the basics. But He provided the details. From the brick pavers in my kitchen to the exact color of my bathroom (things I had planned for the remodel), this house had it. It didn’t end there. There were so many tiny details that made me smile. Y’all, on that day, I felt so loved. And I still feel loved. To this day, as He always has, He continues to do little things that make me smile. I’m forever grateful and blessed to have His love.

By the way, I dodged a bullet by not getting the other house. Every few months some maintenance company is digging around or working on an issue at or near that property.

Listen, thank you for reading! I just had to share my story. Have a wonderful day.

Shaun