Tag: storytelling

hope

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

hope

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

Life

Dorothy Ree

Shaun Bradford

This post has been in my drafts since January 8, 2022. I wrote it for another blog, but can’t locate the link. Glad I saved it here. This was my mother.

Title: Momma, I See You

I was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother. Yep.. three generations of teen moms. My mother was 14 years old when she became pregnant with me and 15 when she gave birth. What’s ironic is my grandmother was also pregnant. Not only was she about to birth her eighth child at 30, but she was also about to become a first time grandmother. Can you imagine being 30 years old with eight children and your first grandchild on the way? Oh… and my great grandmother, my grandmother’s mom, had 12 children at the time and she was only 43. Y’all, I’m 47 with two children. Had my first child at 21 and my second at 30. Just thinking about what it must have felt like being a teenage mother is unimaginable, let alone having multiple children and grandchildren by the age of 30.

Well, a few years ago, during one of my mom’s frequent visits to the emergency room, I thought about what it must have felt like to be responsible for another life at such a young age. When I arrived at the hospital, she was in so much pain. Every time the nurses touched her she moaned. I wanted to help but couldn’t. Finally the doctor gave her something to ease the pain and she fell asleep. I didn’t leave. I just sat there watching her sleep. Honestly, it was like watching a stranger. The person I saw lying there wasn’t the loud, strong, opinionated woman I knew. This woman was vulnerable, tired, and broken. That’s when it hit me that she was so much more than my mother, she was a woman.

While sitting there, I began reminiscing about my childhood and the sacrifices she had made for me and my five siblings. She always made sure our needs were met even if she had to go without. When I was a baby, she worked in the cotton fields to buy me clothes and pampers. She married a man twice her age, and endured abuse, so that she could support me. By the time she divorced him two years later, she had another little girl to support. Although she had two toddlers, she graduated from high school early and enrolled in college. At 18 she was walking the campus of Jackson State University with two in tow. I still remember attending night classes with her when she couldn’t find a babysitter. During that time she was always learning something new as well as introducing us to new things. For me, that was the most exciting time of my childhood. Also, she was no stranger to hard work. Throughout my childhood, I don’t ever remember hearing her complain about taking on second jobs or not being able to take off for vacations. She did what she had to do to provide for her family. I remember how one year she walked miles to work in the snow, while pregnant with one of my younger sisters. One day she slipped and fell and still went to work. That’s how dedicated and selfless she was. Although she experienced heartaches, disappointments, and abuse, we rarely saw her cry. She was the rock of the family.

Needless to say, by the time I left the hospital I was a changed woman. I saw my mom through a different lens. Not only her but my grandmother and great grandmother as well. I often wonder what kind of sacrifices and compromises did they have to make to ensure their children had everything they needed.

Listen, like most mother-daughter relationships, my mother and I have had our ups and downs. However, it wasn’t until I put myself in her shoes that I was able to better understand some of her experiences and decisions. I will admit that the woman she was throughout my childhood made me the woman I am today, and for that, I’m grateful.

The months I spent with her before she passed were a blessing I didn’t know I needed. I needed that time with her. Even though it was like caring for a child at times, I still knew I was hers. So many times I wanted to climb up in the hospital bed with her.

My momma…

She made us take pictures that day (June 1997). She just had to have a family photo even though we weren’t dressed for one.😅We were so unserious. But it was her day, and there was no way we weren’t going to comply. She was still Momma! We also took pictures with my grandma (her mom). About a couple of weeks later, my grandma suddenly died. The following year, my mom became paralyzed from the waist down.

Life can change in the blink of an eye. Make sure you cherish every moment with those you love.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 59

Shaun Bradford

I debated whether or not to share my interview that aired during last night’s local news because my journey to where I want to be is still a work in progress. Then, while trying to find something to share for my afternoon post, I heard to check the photos I had saved on this date. Y’all, when I tell you God forever amazes me! I wasn’t expecting to find a TikTok video I made three years ago. I don’t even have access to that TikTok account anymore. I lost access about two years ago when I couldn’t remember my password or the email address I used to set it up. So, finding this video today lets me know it’s okay to share the one from last night.

Here’s what I shared on February 8, 2022.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reading a book to two different groups during “Storytime with a Soldier,”—a monthly event hosted by the African American Military History Museum here in Hattiesburg. The first group included pre-K children, and the other included adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Well, the local news station decided to attend the event and they wanted to interview me. Y’all, I really hate being on camera. And I guess from the look on my face, the journalist knew it too because he asked if I was okay with being on camera, and I said “no,” but I’d do the interview anyway. And I did. I actually did two impromptu interviews yesterday. Yayyy, Me!!🎉

Here is the link to last night’s interview: “Storytime with a Soldier”

I once said I felt like the purpose of this blog space, “It’s Shaun’s World,” was to share my testimonies in real time, and that’s exactly what I have been doing. When I tell you life is funny and God has a sense of humor. I can’t help but laugh while watching Him with amazement. In the video from 2022, I said I was preparing to be on camera. Did I believe it would actually happen?! No! At least not without me being prepared for it.😂

Y’all, God is sooo smooth. Laughing because all this time I have been calling this my world when in reality, it’s actually His.☺️

My journey…♥️