Tag: success

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Lately, I have been a little more emotional than usual. It took me a minute to figure out why, and I finally have. A rebirth is happening. At least, that’s what it feels like.

Some may think what I’m about to say is weird, and it’s perfectly fine, but the timing of “The Six Triple Eight” movie and my daughter’s upcoming 30th birthday are so intertwined. The 30 years hit me while I was visiting her a week ago. Then, seeing the movie this weekend brought back memories of my experiences in the military around the time of her birth (almost 30 years ago) and the first few years of her life. Y’all, I’ve been crying nonstop this weekend. It feels like I am finally releasing everything I have held in for decades—the stress, uncertainties, and pressure I placed on myself to be a great mother to a child who did not ask to be here. I chose to bring her into this world, which meant I was responsible for making sure she always felt loved, protected, supported, and never like a burden. Those were the things I needed as a child, and I was determined to make sure she had them. And then the song “The Journey” by H.E.R. gets me every time I hear it. Y’all, these past 30 years have definitely been a journey.

Here’s what AI had to say about 30 years—

“It can be a turning point in a person’s life or a time when a historical event’s long-term effects can be seen. … It can be a time when someone realizes who they are, gains self-awareness.”

Whewwww… y’all, this is a lot.

I now realize that 30 years ago, I shut down part of my life to become the best mom I could be, and I know exactly when it happened. That’s a story for another time. Last week, I finally saw the woman my baby girl has become and know that my mission has been achieved. Now it’s time for me to live.

My life definitely changed 30 years ago, and I have absolutely no regrets—I never have. I just adjusted. Seeing my baby girl’s smile today lets me know all my sacrifices were worth it.

Here are two pictures… A lot can change in a year.

Squadron Christmas party in Germany (December 1993).
Squadron Christmas party in Florida (December 1994). Almost 9 months pregnant.

What a journey…

Thanks for allowing me space to exhale and release. I pray you have a glorious Sunday!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Tiny Successes

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: December 20, 2021

I believe successes are just like blessings; no matter the size, each should be acknowledged and celebrated.

Each success means that you are one step closer to achieving your dreams. I know the tiny ones may feel like drops in a huge bucket that seem impossible to fill. Believe me, I am right there with you. However, I also believe that one day, that bucket will overflow with success. You just have to keep filling it. You must stop looking at the size of the bucket—it’s a distraction. Instead, lean into the size of your God. With Him, what might be considered a tiny success could be enough to fill that one bucket, then some. But the only way you’ll know is if you keep going and keep adding to the bucket—adding to your dreams.

Please, do not give up. Keep going. The impossible is possible with God.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

P.S. I’m ditching my posting schedule. It’s way too limiting. I have too much to share in between scheduled times that never gets posted. As I have said before, some people make videos, I write. Looking forward to sharing more!

Hmmm… I think I just reached another level of freedom.

Welcome to my world!😘

hope

Success, Sacrifice, and Discipline

Shaun Bradford

Here’s what I shared a few years ago after reading Will Smith’s memoir, WILL.

Three Questions–

What are your core values and goals?

Are you willing to make sacrifices to achieve them?

If so, what will those sacrifices cost you?

Just a little something to think about. They’re also questions I am asking myself now that I’ve seen this memory.♥️

Shaun

hope

Celebrating Every Success: Day 1300

Shaun Bradford

As promised, I am celebrating every single success! The fact that I have been posting for 1300 consecutive days is beyond wonderful! That’s over 3 1/2 years sharing my daily thoughts with you.

I pray that what I have shared has brought you closer to God, given you hope, inspired and encouraged you, and made you feel loved and seen. Thank you so much for your support, prayers, and love over the years. Thank you for allowing me to be me, to be human. I appreciate that more than you know.

Looking forward to sharing more over the next 100 days!💗

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Blessed!

Shaun Bradford

Speaking blessings over…

Your life.

Your family’s life.

Your health.

Your business.

Your future.

Your legacy.

Yes, you are blessed!

Shared on November 29, 2022.

Now, I know you didn’t think I had forgotten about myself.

Speaking blessings over…

My life.

My family’s life.

My health.

My business.

My future.

My legacy.

Yes, I am blessed!

We are blessed!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

No More Hiding God’s Greatness

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! When was the last time you publicly celebrated your achievements? Is it something you find easy to do? Asking because I have always found it difficult, until recently. Now, I celebrate even the smallest of successes.

I wish I could say that after I shared my post five years ago (see second screenshot below) that I began publicly acknowledging my achievements, but it didn’t. It took me years to finally become comfortable enough to share even a few. As you will read in my post below, I didn’t even tell anyone about my role as the president of our state’s dietetics association (2016-2017). When I tell you it felt like I was leading two separate lives. And to be honest, I guess I was. I didn’t know how to be Shaun and LaShaundrea. I believe I’ve written about this before. It took me years to find a happy medium between the two, which didn’t actually happen until Year50.

Anyhoo, today things are different. I am not hiding anymore and I am celebrating all my achievements. I mean, how can I fully represent God if I continue to downplay the magnitude of His greatness in my life? Y’all, He’s been too good to me. As I have said many times before, I am beyond blessed.🥰 ~Shaun

Facebook Memories: September 3, 2019

Post #1
Post #2, which was the caption when I reshared Post #1.

hope

Success

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

Our road to success may seem never ending. However, we must continue moving forward as if our big break is only moments away. That’s hope.

Facebook Memory: August 27, 2019

Good Morning!☀️
Here’s today’s social media find. DO NOT GIVE UP! Success does not happen overnight. We refer to some as “overnight” successes, but in reality, they’ve been working on their craft for a while. Think about all of the social media celebrities. Most of us saw them when they first started making videos. They didn’t give up. They practiced their craft until it was so good that others wanted to share it.

If you have an idea or vision, that’s been nagging you for years, do it. Maybe all of the pieces aren’t in place, and you feel like making a move is pointless. Believe me, it’s not! Do something. Work towards it. Just don’t sit idle and one day wish you would have tried. The road to success will not be easy. DON’T GIVE UP! (This isn’t just for you, it’s for me too!☺️)

Image Credit: EntrepreneurshipFacts.com via Facebook (2019)

Do not give up!

Keep going!

Stumble.

Fall.

Get back up.

Keep going.

It will happen.

Sooner than later.

Smile.😊

Remain hopeful and optimistic. You’ve got this! Love you.♥️

Shaun

hope

Questions I Asked Myself

Shaun Bradford

Hello! How are you? Yep, I’m speaking first. Smile. You are much too important for me not too. Believe me, you really do matter.💕

While reading past journal entries, which I do pretty often, I came across a few questions I had asked myself. I was in the process of addressing a few hurts and making this side of 50 different from the last. Although I did not have an answer for them at that time, and some I am still working on, I began to intentionally observe the things that were happening around me and to me, and how they were affecting my life.

Here’s what I asked myself:

1. What is it about me that the devil does not want to succeed?

2. What does God have for me that is so great that I must stay broken so that it will not happen?

3. Where do I see myself if I do not heal?

Several posts ago I wrote, “Healing begins when we acknowledge our pain.” I saw the future of the unhealed version of me and the future of the healed version, and decided I wanted the healed version. Which meant I had to push through the pain.

Now, just being transparent, I am still a work in progress. Just like weight gain and weight loss, neither happens overnight. Both happen gradually. And for those who happen to lose it fast, if their behavior doesn’t change and their mindset isn’t right, the change won’t last. I want my healing to last so I am putting in the work to make it happen. The successful, healed version that the devil does not want to succeed is my goal.

Have you had to ask yourself similar questions? Just asking because I know I can’t be the only one who has needed to heal, or is healing.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

This Is My Prayer

Shaun Bradford

Ending the day with the same prayer I began with:

Speaking life, love, peace, joy, optimal health, success, prosperity, and blessings over this next year and beyond. Amen

This is my prayer from this day forward.

Beyond Blessed♥️

Shaun

Hello 51🦋

Life

Up For The Challenge

Shaun Bradford

Just finished a Zoom meeting for my ‘oh so’ exciting second chance. Laughing at myself. Umm… Tell me why I thought things were still the same as nine years ago. I mean, of course I knew things had changed, but I don’t remember so much work being involved. Laughing. Boy, have times changed. But I’m up for the challenge. Team work will definitely make this dream work. We’re in this together.

Listen, y’all pray my strength in the Lord.😅

Shaun

Somebody lied. Fifty is not the new forty. Just saying.