Tag: Sunday

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, it’s December! Can you believe there are only three Sundays left in 2022? Also.. this is the final December of my 40s. Yes, this decade is almost over. Y’all, in several months I will be half a century. Woohoo!! Doesn’t that just sound grand! Smiling

Anyhoo.. this morning I have two things on my mind– 1) Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) leaving Jackson State University and 2) two of my top fives (Michelle Obama #4 and Tyler Perry #5) hanging together this weekend. Both have me thinking about God, faith and life, and how things don’t always work out how you planned. However, they always work out according to God’s plan. Here’s what I mean. I’ll start with Coach Prime —

According to Coach Prime, he took the job at Jackson State University (JSU) because he was following God’s lead– this was three years ago. Last night, he announced that he was taking the head coaching position at the University of Colorado, again following God’s lead. Although rumors were circulating about him leaving from the day he began coaching, he stayed. And during those three years he changed the entire atmosphere for Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), nationally. It was so amazing to watch! Y’all know I love watching God work. Smile. Not only did he change it for them but for Mississippians, as well. Listen, he made us proud to be Mississippians. He showed us that despite what outsiders believed, we are valued and invaluable. He did all of this while inspiring us to want more. He showed us that the top is obtainable. All we have to do is BELIEVE and put in the work! Honestly, I feel sorry for those who didn’t get it.

Last year, he had to have one or two toes amputated (something stemming from a prior surgery). While he was healing, he released a video thanking God for life. In the video he spoke about the enemy not wanting him to finish the job God had sent him to do, which was his primary focus– his purpose. Now, I don’t know what everyone else heard– loyalty, commitment and wins for JSU; but what I heard was loyalty, commitment and wins for God.

Now, for those who have seen Deion Sanders in action, we know he has a very big personality and a HUGE ego. Always has. Laughing. But from what I’ve seen, he’s used them to benefit others. Now it’s time for him to move on and help more people. All I have to say is this– because I’ve personally witnessed it many times during my work with communities– when you encounter someone who has a vested interest in your growth and wellbeing, glean from them. Do not stand by and watch them work and marvel at their success. Join in! Listen, life happens and obligations change, as does assignments. When a person’s time is up, they have to move on. To guilt trip them into staying is not good for either party.

I believe Coach Prime left a playbook not only for JSU but for other HBCUs. I just hope that while they were criticizing his work they were also taking note so that the work continues. Okay.. I’ve said what I’ve said, now let me move on. Wishing Coach Prime and everyone who’s taken the time to glean from him, the best. Yes, it always hurts when someone good has to leave, but if you really believed in what they were doing, you honor them by continuing what they began.

So, since I wrote so much about Coach Prime, I won’t keep you long gushing about my #4 and #5. I just love them! As in 2014, my #1 (Leah Chase) and #2 (Marcus Samuelsson) were at the same place at the same time, and I got to see them together. Y’all, I was on cloud nine! Well, that was then. This time things didn’t work out the same. Although I tried multiple times to make it to Atlanta to see Mrs. Obama and Tyler, every plan fell through. I guess you could say I should be thankful. Little did I know that I would be sick and wouldn’t have been able to attend or enjoy myself anyway. But God knew. Yes, I was a little disappointed, but it was for the best. With that said, y’all, I am so thankful for social media. I may not have been able to be there in person; however, I could feel their energy through their videos and it felt so wonderful! Smiling. I know God’s got me. There will be other opportunities because I’m blessed like that. Smile

Well, this is all I have for you today. Praying you have a wonderful Sunday and fabulous week!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Here’s a Facebook memory from five years ago, November 13, 2017. As I said then, whether my adventures are good or bad, I always look back and say, “Wow! I did that!” Smiling

Facebook Memory – November 13, 2022:

Good Morning!

I would like to thank you for supporting my new venture/adventure- The Research Diva-RD. Everything I do in life, or encounter, I view as an adventure. Some adventures are fun and some are not. Either way, I always tend to look back and say, “Wow, I did that!” I love life.

I pray that my new adventure helps bring hope and healing to communities while connecting us all. We must remember that, regardless of our backgrounds, we’re more alike than different.

Be Blessed 🙏🏽❤️

Yesss.. I did that and more! And guess what? I’m still doing it! Listen, as long as I’m alive, I will continue to take on new ventures/adventures. I’m just wired like that. Smile. Can’t wait to see where the current ones take me. Loving life..

Thanks for reading. Please take care of yourself and have a wonderful week!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Besides God, YOU are the ONLY one who knows what you truly want from life. YOU are the ONLY one who knows your heart’s truest desires. You know.. those things you have always longed for. Things you dreamt of as a child but suppressed as an adult because they seemed unrealistic or childish. Things you have never expressed out loud for fear of feeling vulnerable or being judged. Yeah.. those things.

Listen, we are only blessed with one life that we definitely – 100 percent – know of. Although I believe reincarnation is a possibility and heaven is real, the life we have now is meant to be lived to its fullest. Today, I encourage you to stop running from your heart’s desires (as long as they are safe- if they are potentially harmful to yourself or others, please seek help), drown out the noise and DO YOU! Be YOU! For YOU!♥️

Remember, life is what YOU make it. Be sure to make it what YOU want and not what others want for you.

Have a wonderfully, blessed Sunday!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today, I would like to recognize and thank one of my angels on earth for always being here for me. Y’all, we have never met in person, but we have been social media friends for about 8 years. Started off tweeting together during Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots (#HAHN 😊). Yep.. those were the good old days. Her name is Deborah.

When I think of light, love, friendship and unwavering support, Deborah comes to mind. She’s one of the lights on social media. Always encouraging. Always kind. Always providing words of wisdom. And she’s hilarious! Lol!

Many of you know I have a gazillion social media accounts! At least four or five on different platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. It’s how I compartmentalize my content. For some reason I can’t wrap my mind around putting everything in one location. It’s bad, y’all! Hopefully, I’ve created my last accounts. Fingers crossed!

Anyhoo.. Got sidetracked.

Y’all, Deborah follows me on almost all of my accounts (maybe not on one or two) on every platform! Every time I create a new account, she follows me. She reads and shares my blogs. She shares my tweets. Always supportive! AND I have to mention, we’re e-church members and June babies – her birthday is exactly a week before mine. I’m so grateful to have met her… you (because I know you’re reading).

Deborah, thank you so much for your love, kindness and support. Thank you for consistently supporting my sporadically, spontaneous ventures. You know I be all over the place, but you stick with me. Thank you for listening when I need to vent. Thank you for not judging me. And, thank you for continuously praying for me. You’re the kind of person and friend I strive to be. Praying God showers you with love, peace and blessings. I truly appreciate you!♥️🌸♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

This morning I’m singing I Won’t Complain for myself and my parents. We’re all aging and life doesn’t look like it used to. However, God’s been so good to us, and all of our good days have definitely outweighed our bad. I know God’s got us! Amen

I Won’t Complain by Rev. Paul Jones
Lyrics by The Mezzo Agency, LLC

… I’ve had some good days
I’ve had some hills to climb
I’ve had some weary days
And some sleepless nights

… But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
Outweigh my bad days
I won’t complain

… Sometimes the clouds are low
I can hardly see the road
I ask a question, Lord
Lord, why so much pain?
But he knows what’s best for me
Although my weary eyes
They can’t see
So I’ll just say thank you Lord
I won’t complain

… The Lord
Has been so good to me
He’s been good to me
More than this old world
Or you could ever be
He’s been so good
To me

… He dried all of my tears away
Turned my midnights into day
So I’ll just say thank you Lord
I’ve been lied on
But thank you Lord
I’ve been talked about
But thank you Lord
I’ve been misunderstood
But thank you Lord
You might be sick
Body reeking with pain
But thank you Lord
The bills are due
Don’t know where
The money coming from
But thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
I want
I want to thank God
God
God
God
Has been so good to me
He’s been good to me
More than this old world
Or you could ever be
He’s been so good
He’s been so good
He’s been so good
So good
So good
So good
So good
To me
He dried all of my tears away
Turned my midnight into day

Thanks for reading and singing along (smile). I pray you have a blessed week.

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

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

This morning I finally logged back onto one of my personal Instagram accounts. Didn’t know that I had been logged off for six weeks. I definitely needed that break.

Also, a few days ago, I logged back onto my Nutrition with LaShaundreaB accounts.

Since my mom’s been in the hospital (and she still is), I have been feeling kind of lost with no true sense of direction. It’s like my life has been placed on an indefinite hold. I’m not sad about it, nor disappointed, just a bit uncertain about my next moves. You know, I had logged off social media to focus on launching this project and BAM! the unexpected happened. I guess this is what makes life interesting, right?

This morning, I’m writing while still sleepy so I’m not going to make this very long. Here’s what I’ve recently realized (the reasons I decided to log back onto social media):

1) Life is going to continue to happen whether I’m plugged in or not. Yep… it’s still moving right along.

2) I am in control of the affect distractions have on my focus, emotions and feelings. It’s all on me.

3) The only sure, unwavering thing is God’s love, mercy, grace and peace. Yeah… it’s all inclusive. He is my refuge and a place I can always find rest.

Y’all, it’s so wonderful knowing that God never changes based on our moods, emotions, feelings, doubts, egos, etc. He always remains the same. I’m so grateful and blessed that I can always find peace and comfort in Him. He’s just so wonderful!

As I said, I’m back on social media; however, this time my focus is different. Allowing God to lead.

I pray that everything is well in your life. As always, thanks for reading. I truly appreciate y’all.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

It’s almost 4:00 AM and my mom is finally aware of the date and time (still kind of off about the time of day even though it’s dark outside). She knows that certain bills have to be paid by a certain date. I told her we would worry about those things on Monday. That I would handle it all.

Yeah.. it’s almost 4:00 AM and now I’m trying not to worry about everything I have to do on Monday, or tomorrow. Shoot.. I barely remembered to pay my own bills that weren’t automatically drafted. Life. Gotta love it.

Right now, she’s falling back to sleep. I believe I’ll do the same. Tomorrow, I’ll handle whatever needs to be done then. However, today.. right now.. I’m going to stay present, get some sleep and deal with whatever Sunday brings.

Staying present.

One task and day at a time.

Going back to sleep.

Y’all have a blessed day.

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s a brand new day. So grateful for life. So blessed that Momma is still with us. Although the progression process has been very slow, she’s still progressing. Taking things one day at a time. Prayers for continued peace, patience and guidance. Amen

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Asking for prayers.

This morning, I can say that I’m feeling much better physically than I was yesterday. However, mentally and emotionally, I’m about the same. So, here’s some of what’s going on.

Early yesterday morning, my mom was taken to the ER for being unresponsive. My brother, who lives with her, couldn’t wake her up or feel a pulse. Long story short- She’s now in ICU.

She’s still with us but remains unresponsive. She’s also on a ventilator and sedated. Everyone on her medical team keeps stressing that she’s, “very, very sick.” “Your mother is very, very sick.” Of course they told us what was wrong; however, it’s the way they’re all stressing the severity of what’s happening is what has made this ER visit and ICU stay different from the others.

For those who don’t know, my mom has paraplegia. She hasn’t been able to feel anything from her waist down since 1998. Well, over the years, she’s developed many more complications, and these last four years (2018 – now) have been the worse. She has had so many ER visits and hospital stays since then. Fortunately, things calmed down a bit during the height of the COVID pandemic. She did become very ill a few times but the doctors treated her at home.

Now, here we are. Unlike times before when I only contacted immediate family, or a few of her siblings, this time I have contacted her friends and extended family. As I said before, this time feels different.

My prayers have been whatever’s in God’s will, let it be; and let us, her children, be prepared to handle whatever comes – good or bad. Even though my mom is paralyzed, she’s always been independent and strong willed. So some of the decisions we may have to make are going to be very difficult.

At this moment I’m just praying she’s at peace and not in any pain. One of her biggest fears is being in a predicament like this and not being able to tell anyone she’s in pain or uncomfortable. So I’m praying that she’s completely comfortable. Also, praying that we get to see her smile and hear her laugh again, soon.

We love you, Momma.🙏🏽♥️

Please keep our mom and family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Shaun