Tag: storytelling

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday!☀️

I pray all is well with you.🌸

Yesterday morning, I wondered what stories would be shared about me. Well, it didn’t take long for me to find out. A few hours after I shared yesterday’s post, “What Will My Story Be?”, the stories began, and the sharing didn’t end until after midnight.

As soon as I arrived at the family reunion venue, one of my uncles—who’s basically my twin (born a little over a week apart)—greeted me with, “Shaun, you remember when you used to…” Then, last night at my sister’s house, my sisters and cousin shared more stories with my daughter, oldest nephew, and oldest niece. When I tell you they soaked up those stories like sponges.🤭

All I can say is, I was Shaun.😂

Me and my sisters. Dorothy girls!

So, here’s what I gathered from their stories and what I know about myself:

I was never a quiet child. (I’m much calmer now, depending on who you ask.🤭)

I spoke my mind… I mean, voiced my opinions. (Still do, but more tactful now… depending on the situation😊—you might get Shaun or LaShaundrea or a version of both.🤷🏽‍♀️😂)

I was strong–willed. (Yeah… nothing’s changed.😂)

Just know my descendants will have many interesting stories to share about me.😅

Y’all, all while they were talking, I kept saying, “That was me then. I’m not that person anymore. Believe me, I’ve changed.” And they just laughed even harder.😂

Everyone is heading home today. Can’t wait until we meet up again. I love my family.💗

I hope your weekend has been great so far. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday and blessed week.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Shaun’s World

Shaun Bradford

“Shaun’s World” was the original name of my blog. I’m not sure when I changed it to “It’s Shaun’s World.” A couple of days ago, I celebrated my 7th Anniversary of blogging. I hadn’t realized I had been blogging for so long.

On June 11, 2018, I wrote the following in my journal—

“I launched my birthday blog early. I was bored and had things to share. It’s called “Shaun’s World.” It’s me and all of my quirkiness. I needed this outlet. I’ll see how long I can keep this up.”

I started this blog to commemorate my 45th birthday, but as I mentioned, I launched it early. I needed an outlet besides Twitter and Facebook to express myself without being completely judged. Thank you for allowing me this space.

Here’s what I shared in my first post on June 9/10, 2018 (there are two different dates on the post).

Welcome to Shaun’s World, Again! Lol

Ha! I had published this same blog on my old site. That site is being deactivated. So follow me on this site. My new site.

Welcome to the world of random thoughts, inside jokes and carefree writing. Yes, it’s Shaun’s World!

This site isn’t meant to be stuffy or too serious because all of that is pretty boring. It takes too much thought and time to create those sites (been there, done that) when all I want to do is share.

So, be warned, grammatical errors will happen; corny jokes will be told; heartfelt and meaningless stories will be shared and life will go on.

Again, welcome to Shaun’s World!

Muah!
#Year45

Again, thank you for allowing me this space to freely express myself and be ME. I truly appreciate YOU!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 101

Shaun Bradford

On June 11, 2019, I began my journal entry with—

Singing, “Anointing fall on me. Anointing fall on me. Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me. Anointing fall on me.” Amen 

I mentioned that I was about to rewatch Sarah Jakes Roberts’ message “Unfinished Business ” from that Pentecost Sunday. I had been on the phone with my mom and had missed most of the message.

I also wrote about Leah Chase being laid to rest the day before, and how my conversation with her was connected with the nutrition sessions I was providing for children attending a summer camp. During our meeting in 2014, Chef Leah encouraged me to teach children about where food came from—that it didn’t come from the grocery store but from gardens and farms. So, on the day of her funeral, I was doing just that.

I wrote so much more on that day (I usually write several times a day); however, I ended the day with this—

“Whew! God just blows my mind. For real.”

And He does. Every day He blows my mind. He’s so wonderful. Just to know Him and be in His presence is indescribable.

God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for showing me YOU!

Amen

Shaun♥️

hope

Faith

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I truly hope you’re doing well.🌸

Last night, I watched the BET Awards. I’m not sure how others felt while watching it, but this year’s ceremony seemed different—not necessarily different in a bad way, but in an eerily good way. Maybe it was because they were celebrating BET’s 45th Anniversary and I’m old enough to remember what I was doing 45 years ago, or because they celebrated a few 90s music icons who are all around my age. Hmm…

When I think about it, it felt more like a family reunion where one generation was passing the torch to another—and I happen to be in that generation of torch passers. Overall, the entire event was very emotional and felt more significant than past awards shows. If I could sum it up, I would say the mood was, “We are all we’ve got.”

There was one quote that stood out last night that I am still feeling the importance of this morning—

“Don’t let your worry be greater than your faith.” – Tyler Perry

Let that sink in…

Our faith must be stronger than our worries. It’s the only way we are going to make it. It’s the only way we have made it.

I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. May it be filled with lots of love, peace, joy, and laughter.

On another note …

I will be 52 in two weeks!🎉

Yesterday, it dawned on me that I could have been counting down the weeks from the day I turned 51. My theme could have been “52 in 52 Weeks!”

By the way, besides dropping gems of wisdom, my fav just dropped another hit series on us, “Divorced Sistas”! It’s streaming on BET+. Check it out!

Okay… I’m done. Please take care of yourself and live life to the fullest. Don’t take a second for granted. Not one.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

June 2, 2014

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I pray you’re doing wonderful!🌺

June 2, 2014 at 6:59 AM

I wish I knew what I was thinking at that very moment. I wonder if I had caught a glimpse of my future. I was in New Orleans getting ready for Day Two of my culinary experience. Actually, it was a culinary media training where I was being trained to speak in front of a camera while preparing food. Even though I still haven’t done much with the training, it was a great experience, and I met some wonderful people.

I really do love my life.

I didn’t write anything in my journal on that day; however, when I returned home, I wrote:

“New Orleans was definitely a great professional experience. I came back with a sense of worth. I felt like I could actually accomplish my goals. I now have a different outlook on life & my role in this universe. I am destined for greatness & there’s nothing wrong with it. Thank you God for helping me realize my potential.”

Wow! So many gems in that statement. What an interesting, roller coaster ride of an eleven years it has been, and now I’m here. Here in this time and space. What will I do with it?

Well, that’s all for now. I pray you have a great day and wonderfully blessed week.

I love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

This Is How God Works

Shaun Bradford

This is how God works in my life! When I tell you He loves me!🥰

Short story…

Last night, in my post, “Service Before Self,” I wrote—

“I miss that life [Air Force life]. I miss the camaraderie. We were more than coworkers and colleagues. We were family.”

I ended it with—

“I believe I need to visit an Air Force base soon. I need to see my people.”

Fast forward to God hearing and delivering!

Below is a reply from my friend, who happens to be a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. Notice the time stamp: Friday, 8:55 PM. That was the time she replied to one of my Facebook stories. Well, I didn’t see it until after 8:00 AM this morning.

After seeing her message, I called her several times, but the calls kept failing. Then, I texted and messaged her, but she never responded. By 8:30, I was heading to her house. When I tell you all kinds of thoughts were going on in my head. “What if she was on the road and her car broke down?” “What if she was hurt or needed me to drive her somewhere?” “What if she had fallen and couldn’t get up?!” She is 84, so it’s possible (plus she’s always joking about it😅). So, what was I supposed to think?

By the time I got to her house, I was in tears and preparing myself for the worst. Her car was in her driveway, so she wasn’t stranded somewhere. I rang the doorbell, and guess who came to the door smiling? It was her, all happy to see me. All I could do was hug her. Y’all, she had forgotten that she had replied to my story. And her message was supposed to say, “Call me” instead of “Car.” Ugh… That crazy autocorrect! And when she said she needed “some help,” she meant she needed help finding something.

Anyhoo… I ended up spending the day with her and having a lovely time. It wasn’t until this afternoon that I realized God had given me what I wanted and needed—time with my Air Force family, and I didn’t have to wait.🥰

I am forever in awe of my God! I cannot express enough how truly grateful and blessed I am.♥️

Shaun

** By the way… THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!! In exactly ONE MONTH, I will be 52!!!🎉🎉🎉

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My Journey With God, No. 84

Shaun Bradford

Saw this quote posted by Pastor Mike Todd (author of “Relationship Goals”) and thought I’d share.

What you want exists, don’t settle. – Mike Todd

Several years ago, I wrote a blog about relationship goals based off the hashtags people were using after seeing cute couples together. Everyone wanted a relationship like theirs. However, what I knew from being in one of those picture-perfect relationships (my ex husband and I weren’t famous, but we had what people assumed was perfect), looks can be deceiving. Very deceiving. So much goes on behind the scenes. Real life happens behind the scenes. And to be honest, many of those people they were hashtagging back then aren’t even together anymore.🥴

Here’s what I shared about relationship goals in 2018 (shared in its entirety).

What Is Love?, June 13, 2018

So here’s one of my randoms.

This morning I had dream about Guy. You know, Aaron and Damion Hall and Teddy Riley. I was watching one of their videos (that doesn’t even exist- lol) called Real Love. It was so vivid. It was set in the nighttime. The group was in a vacant parking lot just singing their hearts out. Oh– I can’t forget to tell you what they were wearing. You know the nineties was all about style. Aaron had on his signature black leather pants and vest set, no shirt (umm hmm). Teddy had on a burnt orange Adidas outfit with a black hat (looking fly). Unfortunately, I can’t remember what Damion was wearing. Oh well…

Anyway, they were singing about love. I felt it in my dreams! I woke up with love on my mind. Honestly, it could be because I fell asleep with love on my mind. I fell asleep after watching the preview of OWN’s new series, “Love Is ____.” So my question this morning is, “What is love?” Meaning, love between spouses, partners, companions, etc. What is love?

As a little girl, I thought love was all about the fairytale. I can’t lie, I still love the beauty of the fairytale. Fairytales do exist. By the time I was a teenager, my perception of love had changed. I realized people fell in and out of love quite often. I never had a boyfriend in high school. However, I was in love. I still get all tingly when I think about my “Blue Eyes.” That’s what I called him. That was high school. Lol

The day I graduated from high school was the day my first boyfriend found me. Yes, he found me because I was not looking. Nowadays I hear people talking about the love of your life will find you. Just know, you have to be leery of them too. Just because he finds you doesn’t mean he’s God sent. And this boyfriend wasn’t. In my mind I tried to make him a prince. He was eight years older than I was. So we were on two different levels. Mentally, I was still a child and he was looking for a woman. I was not there.

After that relationship ended, I decided to do the finding. Ha! It wasn’t any better than being found. Eventually I settled. That word, settle, really makes me cringe.

Over the years I received love advice from people who had been married for years. One person told me that the tingly love feeling wears off after the first couple of years so commitment was most important. I had others tell me to look past faults and forgive. The best one, and most deceptive– find a good hard working man and settle down. No one mentioned love in terms of longevity. Were they right? Are they right? Is love only temporary?

Honestly, I don’t think there’s one definition for love. Love is different for everyone. That’s why God made us unique. What I’ve learned is, if you don’t love yourself, you cannot fully love someone else. Self-love is so important. I also believe the person who truly loves you will love you unconditionally– just the way you are. If they want you to change (I’m talking personality wise), it’s not love. You shouldn’t have to change who you are based on “ideal” relationships. You know, those “relationship goals.” Please! Trying to live like others will have you so off course. Do you!!

People try to make love complicated. My definition of love is simple. Love is love. Period. No ifs. You know, “if they were this,” “if they did that,” “if they said this,” “if they looked like this” (now that’s a hard one to let go of– ha!!)… What I’m trying to say is, either you love the person or you don’t. Mixed feelings will make you miserable.

I would like to end this with positive vibes. Positive vibes for everyone (in my Oprah voice). My wish is for everyone to experience the fairytale kind of love. The kind that makes you tingly all over with happiness. The kind that makes your heart melt when you think about sitting on a porch at 90– not talking, just smiling, humming and enjoying each other’s company. Smile– that’s my fairytale.

Remember, the fairytale will always be tailor-made for you and your love. Forget those “relationship goals.” Make your own goals!

As I said, this was random. I’m random. Either you love me or you don’t.

Peace!
#Year45

That was pretty long! I used to share so much more back then. By the way, I’m planning to read “Relationship Goals” soon so I can get the true meaning behind Pastor Todd’s message.

Back to the quote. I do believe what I want does exist. Unlike times before, I will not settle and will wait on God. Yessss… this time, I will wait. (But honestly, God’s timing is like a gazillion years!!😩😂)

Remaining Hopeful♥️

Shaun

hope

Encouragement

Shaun Bradford

This is very random…

Sitting at my desk and noticed the “Trust” rock I wrote about several posts ago. It’s funny how, in years, I have rarely turned the rock over. I never had a reason to until today. After picking it up, I noticed a bit of white paint peaking around the side, so I flipped it over. I forgot that I had written “Encouragement!!” on the other side. Now, I really want to know the full story about the rock. What was the assignment that day, and why did I write encouragement on the other side instead of something else? Life is truly interesting. I have to do better at leaving myself notes. Lol

This is the Facebook memory I shared with my other post.
Here’s the front of rock today (7 years later).
Here’s the backside.

All I can think of is I must have known I would need encouragement to rebuild trust.

Or maybe the two aren’t even related. Perhaps I just needed encouragement.

I guess we’ll never know.😅

Welcome to my world!♥️

Shaun

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My Journey With God, No. 77

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️ It’s Self-love Saturday and I decided to sleep in.😌 I hope you decided to do the same.💕

Here’s what I wrote six years ago—

The “social media find” I shared on March 22, 2019. Image credit: Unknown.

When I tell you this Facebook memory is so timely! Although it’s been six years, I feel it more than ever today. You see, next Saturday, I will be attending our state’s annual dietetics conference, where I will be introduced as the incoming president for 2025–2026.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel at the moment. Seems like I have been going nonstop since taking on the role of president-elect. So much has changed since I was last president (2016–2017), and even more is changing now that our government is moving in a different direction. We are a nonpartisan organization and have to move as such. Meaning, my personal feelings and opinions have to take a backseat during this ride. It’s a lot, but I’m up for the challenge. As I have asked myself so many times throughout my adult life, “How did I get here?” Laughing. My life and its adventures. As Mario from Mario Bros. would say, “Here we go!”

Honestly, who would have thought I wasn’t done with this part of my life? If I didn’t know it then, I can certainly say it now, this role is a significant part of my dream and future endeavors. I’m not sure where God is taking me—ONLY He knows—but I’m here for it!♥️

Stay tuned…

Shaun

hope

Treasure Your Gifts

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Treasure your gifts. Not gifts, as in talents, but the gifts—the people—God has placed in your life. They are irreplaceable and one of a kind. Whether for a season or a lifetime, God placed them in your life for a specific purpose that only they can fulfill. Never take them for granted. Life is much too short and precious not to treasure them.

As I mentioned last night, I was with my two hearts (daughter, 30, and son, 21). Words can’t even begin to describe the way I feel about them. As a child, I always longed to feel loved unconditionally and accepted for me. One of the things we talked about last night was me always dancing to the beat of my own drum. I never quite fit in, even when it came to my own family. I thought and moved differently. Not so differently that I didn’t blend in, but different enough to know I didn’t fit. Well, here I am 30 years later with two adult children, and I finally feel the love and acceptance I longed for. They’re not cookie cutters of me. As we often joke, we couldn’t be more different, but we’re so much alike. All three of us dance to our own beat, and we don’t judge. We embrace each other’s uniqueness.

Y’all, they are my gifts.🥰🥰

This was taken in January during my daughter’s 30th birthday weekend.

On another note—I know I never mentioned anything else about celebrating the 30–year breakthrough or rebirth I was experiencing leading up to my daughter’s birthday. I intentionally stopped celebrating when I noticed she had made her celebration mine. I explained to her that I had already lived and celebrated my 30th; the weekend and occasion were all hers. And we celebrated her! Yes, her birthday felt like a great release for me. I finally felt free to release myself from being a mother, provider, and caregiver to being me—a woman taking care of me.🦋

I pray you are treasuring your gifts. Also remember this too—something that took me far too long to realize—YOU are also a gift. Yes…YOU!

Have a beautifully, blessed day.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun