Tag: thankful

hope

The Journey Continues, Part 2

Shaun Bradford

I’m back! Back with a continuation of my previous post, that is. Smile

In my last post, I wrote, “So, to reconnect ten years later had me wondering why. Why, now?” Listen, when I tell you God is so timely with His answers! I just read my journal entry from December 7, 2014, ten years ago, and all I can say is “Whew!!!” Y’all, I was going through it. My ex-husband and I were on the brink of a divorce and my life was completely chaotic. I wrote how we were down to our last bar of soap and he was talking about getting a new air conditioning system for the house. He had the money I needed for things for the house but wanted me to ask for it. I ended my entry with, “AAaaahhhhhh!!! I wish I could actually scream!!!”

Again…WHEW!!!

There’s no way I could have successfully carried out any project at that time. I was breaking.

As I said a while back, this year has been about opportunities resurfacing. Earlier this year, I was re-elected as the president-elect of my state’s dietetics association. In 2015, in the midst of all the chaos that was happening in my life, I was elected to the same position. Talk about God restoring everything I lost! I carried out all of my terms—pres. elect, president, and past president—but not as successfully as I would have liked. I wasn’t completely there and just couldn’t perform as I wanted to. Now, I’m getting a second chance.

Okay…I’m going to end now. Crying too much—both sad and happy tears. Sad ones for the broken woman I was ten years ago, and happy ones for the woman I am today. Y’all, God is soooooo good!!

Listen, please don’t give up! Where you are today is not final.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Thought I’d add this excerpt from the beginning of my entry from December 7, 2014. I used to refer to all life experiences as adventures, including the bad ones. That was how I was able to cope with life. Had been doing it from childhood. I recently wondered if something was wrong with me because I no longer saw life as an adventure. Now I know why. I no longer need to.☺️

“I really should write a book- The Life of LaShaundrea Bradford. I’ve had a crazy life. It’s been one adventure after another.”

Ha! I guess that “book” is now my blog “It’s Shaun’s World.” Y’all see how God works? Had no idea what He was doing, but He did!

Okay… I’m really done now. Love you!

hope

My Journey With God, No. 33

Shaun Bradford

Finally taking a moment to breathe and reflect.

I am truly blessed.

Truly, truly blessed.♥️

Originally shared on August 17, 2021.

hope

My Journey With God, No. 31

Shaun Bradford

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

That phrase seems to be on repeat in my mind at the moment.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Y’all, I am so grateful for God’s love, mercy, and grace.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Beyond Blessed♥️

hope

Do You Know What You Want?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

On November 28, 2021, I was reading Will Smith’s memoir, WILL. Meant to share this yesterday but forgot. When I tell you I took sooooo many notes. If you haven’t read it, it is so worth reading. Here’s an excerpt from my entry.

Shaun’s Journal Entry: November 28, 2021

“JL or James Lassiter asked Will these questions while trying to figure out what Will really wanted. Will had no real direction just wanted not to ever be broke again and to be able to have fun. 

Questions:

What is the dream? 

What are you trying to build?

What do you want?

Stephen Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said there are only two human problems: (1) knowing what you want, but not knowing how to get it; and (2) not knowing what you want.”

Again, I loved this memoir!

I believe we must ask ourselves JL’s questions from time to time to see if our answers have changed. Is our dream still the same? What are we trying to build? What do we want? Even though I am now on the other side of 50, the core (which I believe is most important) of my answers remain the same. I know what I want.

For years, I used to dwell on what Steven Covey listed as the first problem—knowing what I wanted but not knowing how to get it. However, today, I don’t even think about how I’m going to get it anymore. God is finally the captain of my ship and I’m sitting back enjoying this ride called life. I trust Him to get me to wherever I belong. He knows best. Listen, life is so much better when we allow God to lead, and when we’re obedient.

Question:

Do you know what you want? Your core desires, not the superficial ones.

This is all for now. Thanks for reading. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Thankful Thanksgiving

Shaun Bradford
Hey You! I am thankful for YOU. Yes…YOU!♥️

Good Morning☀️

This morning, I am most thankful for family. Since my mom passed, I seem to value the time I spend with family a little bit more. Of course, I always cherish the time I spend with my two hearts (smiling because my daughter’s home🥰); however, lately, I have been intentional about not rushing time spent with extended family, especially my siblings and their families, and my mom’s siblings. Now, when I am in their presence, I’m present. I soak up everything—from their words and expressions to the very essence of their being. Yes, I’m right there with them. Before, I may have taken it all for granted, but now I realize just how precious family is.

What are you most thankful for today?

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 26

Shaun Bradford

Sending up praises!

Praising God for being God.

For His covering.

For His love.

For His guidance.

For His peace.

Y’all, I am truly blessed.

When I think about my 20s, 30s, 40s, even a year or so ago, compared to where I am today, all I can do is praise God. I’m no longer that same person. As I have said many times before, I am loving this space I am in. For some reason, I never truly believed it was possible, yet here I am. I said I fully trusted God, but it seems I only trusted Him with certain aspects of my life, not all. It wasn’t until I gave all of myself to Him that things really began to change.

So, yes, I’m sending up praises.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me.♥️

Shaun

hope

What A Difference A Year Makes

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

So much has happened since last year. Around this time last year, I was experiencing what I considered a spiritual pruning while also trying to adjust to life on this side of 50. The only definite thing was that I knew these next 50 years had to be different from the last.

Here’s what I shared last year.

Shared on November 23, 2021.

After asking myself the same question from a few years ago—am I someone who has fully embraced my true, authentic self?—the answer is “yes.” A year ago, I was close but not entirely there. Today, I can confidently say that I have fully embraced all of myself while still growing and evolving—as we know, both are continuous. As I have mentioned several times this year, I love this space I’m in—living life, loving God, and dancing to the beats (because there are many) of my own drum.

Y’all, I wanted this side of 50 to be different, and it truly is.♥️

I am beyond blessed.🥰

Shaun

hope

You Are Amazing!

Shaun Bradford

Here’s a post I shared in 2021. The message about worth is great, but it’s the hashtags for me!

Walk in your worth.

Live in your worth.

You ARE amazing!

And you are. You are absolutely amazing!♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Are you walking and living in your worth? I pray that you are.🙏🏽