Tag: Wednesday

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Decided to use the quote that initially accompanied the graphic. It’s a much needed reminder that I control the pen that’s writing my story.

Lately, I’ve been warring between disconnecting so that I can fully recharge or staying connected so that I won’t lose connections. There’s this fear of starting over and disappointing others that has me hesitant to disconnect, yet I know it’s necessary.

Today will be my 459th consecutive blog. Believe me, ending this streak is one of the most difficult decisions I have to make. And social media… Listen, I can’t even begin to describe how difficult it’s going to be logging off social media. Sadly, it’s become an integral part of my life. Y’all, I have upcoming events and community information to share on Mississippi Thriving. I have content to post for Nutrition with LaShaundreaB. Daily posts for Shaun’s Daily Inspiration. Morning greetings for my sistas in We Are Sistas. Sunday tweets with my e-church family during Sunday service. Shows and movies to promote. Issues to support. Y’all, there’s so much that I do– that I LOVE doing– that I’m finding it difficult to take a break from. Honestly, I feel like I’m abandoning my friends, followers and community– as if I’m abandoning my tribe.

Side Note: I believe I have blogged about this before, but until recently (like a year or so ago), I suffered from abandonment issues. I always felt like those I cared about most would abandon me. Well, it’s the same way I feel about disconnecting to recharge. Even though I know I’m not abandoning anyone, I don’t want them to feel as if I am. I know that probably sounds a bit crazy, but the fear of abandonment so real.

Well, with everything said…

Y’all, I need to press pause and take an indefinite break. I need to take a moment to fully recharge. Operating on half empty just isn’t working anymore. I know it may sound like farewell, but it’s not. I assure you that I will return.

Please take care of yourself!

Love you always,

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford
Writing my story.

Last week I experienced another major life shift. Unlike nine years ago, I felt the shift and didn’t panic. I felt it and actually smiled.

You see, when I turned 40, my life began to change. Actually.. it began to unravel. I can even tell you when the shift happened. It was on my 40th birthday. I was disappointed because my birthday was not what I had always imagined– wasn’t even close. I know it sounds shallow but it was a big deal, a very big deal. Honestly, I tried to convince myself that I could live with the disappointment, but I couldn’t. All I could think about was a life of being asked to be content with disappointments. This prompted me to ask myself, “Shaun, where do you see yourself in ten years?”. I also asked my ex the same. Well.. guess what?! We are both exactly where we said we saw ourselves being. Hmm… life is interesting.

I didn’t see it then, but I see it now, that was when my marriage actually ended.

So that was a major shift.

Well, last week, after returning home, I felt another shift. I thought I was returning home to the babies I had left. Yeah.. I know, they are not babies but they will always be my babies. Anyhoo.. I returned home to two young adults. Adults who had been doing their own thing while I was gone. I’m not going to lie, it took me a minute to adjust to the change, but only a minute. When I finally accepted that things had changed, I was like, “I like this.”

Listen, I’m smiling as I write because I spent the last year wondering how I would survive being an empty nester. Wondering what life would be like with only myself to care for. Well, I can happily and confidently say, I’m gonna be alright. I’m so looking forward to this next chapter.

Thanks for reading! Wishing you a wonderful day.

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Happy Wednesday! Today’s blog is a hodgepodge of Facebook memories I that I’ve shared on this date over the years.

Okay.. Here’s the memory dump!

“In time it’ll be revealed.”

My response to a video Bishop T.D. Jakes shared:

THIS MESSAGE RIGHT HERE!!💃🏽
I am unique. There’s no other like me. There will never be another like me. God placed me in this world to fulfill a purpose that only I can fulfill. He made me exactly who He wanted me to be. So when you see me doing me, know that it’s all a part of God’s plan. He’s shaping me and molding me to fulfill His purpose. Whew!!

“What’s for me, is for me.”

This is all I have for you today. Hopefully you were as blessed by the memories as I was. Listen, knowing that what’s meant for me will not miss me and I’m the ONLY one who can fulfill a specific purpose, makes me want to sing and dance. Y’all, I’m blessed.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! Take Care.

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Today, I am beginning a little late. Decided everything else could wait. I needed to spend some quality time with God. Do not get me wrong, I talk to God all day long; however, while I’m talking, I’m also doing a million other things. So if my focus is not solely on God can I truly say I’m spending time with Him? Hmm…

Well, I began today a bit differently. In stead of me doing a lot of talking– asking a thousand questions and trying to figure things out– I sat still and listened. If you did not know, so many answers can be found while sitting still and giving God your undivided attention. You should try it!

So, yes.. today, I sat still, listened and found my answers. I hear You, God. Smiling

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful day.

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

It’s 3:45 AM and I have been awake for over an hour now. Can’t sleep. I seem to have so much on my mind. If you have read my last few blogs, you know I’m going through some kind of transition. Every time I think I have it figured out, or a name for it, things change and I find myself back at square one trying to figure out what’s happening to me.

Am I lonely? Been house sitting for my sister for over a month and a half now with very little physical human contact. Pepé, her dog, provides some company, and as much as she’s grown on me, she’s still not human.

The next question I’ve asked myself is, am I depressed? I know depression comes in many forms. Perhaps I’m experiencing depression and not know it.

Am I bored? Now that one is difficult to answer. I have plenty that’s keeping me busy, but is it fulfilling? And at this moment the answer is, NO!

Before I began writing, I was searching for receptionist jobs. I have never been a receptionist before, but I do have experience with customer service. I mean, that’s what I have been doing almost my entire adulthood, serving others. I’m thinking being a receptionist, even part-time, will fill the need for physical human connectivity. Plus, it’s something totally different from anything I’m currently working on. I need variety in my life.

I can also volunteer, which I plan to do more of when I get back home. Volunteering will give me a chance to interact with more people without a certain time commitment.

As you can see, I have a lot on my mind. How do people make it without physical human contact? I kind of feel like I felt those first few months after the COVID-19 lockdown except my children were home with me then. This time I’m all alone. Am I becoming a recluse?

Perhaps I’m just homesick.

I’m going to go ahead and end here. I’m finally sleepy. I would attempt to review and revise but it probably won’t do any good. Too tired. I just needed to talk. Thanks for reading/listening. Enjoy your day.

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Seems as if the atmosphere is shifting and it’s shifting at an extremely fast pace. Maybe it’s only in my world. I do have a lot going on. Well, what seems like a lot at the moment. Most of it is related to transition. I’m transitioning from a full-time caregiver/parent to as needed. At the moment, I’m not really sure how to cope with this awkwardness. Of course I have plenty of things to work on and keep me busy, but socially there’s a void. There’s a void that I’m not exactly sure how to fill. It doesn’t make it any better that I no longer have coworkers or work in a public space. I’m a very social person but even being on social media is different. The connections don’t provide the same feelings as in person connections. They don’t fill the void.

Y’all, I’m just thinking as I write. I know in an hour or two I’ll feel differently. However, at this very moment, I feel alone. Crazy part is, I don’t want to text, call or video chat, I need physical, human interaction. I need to feel their energy (positive only). I’m tired of going to the store just to see and interact with people. Yes, I strike up conversations with random people. I know that I can always volunteer, but I want to be around people who don’t need me. I want to be around people who want to socialize. Even if we’re only watching a movie or in the same space. Guess I need to be more careful about what I put out into the universe because the last place I want to end up in is jail. Lol. I kinda scared myself with that last statement– watching movies or just in the same space with people. Whew! You never know how the universe will answer. Gotta be more careful. Anyhoo.. I really have to figure this one out.

Well, that’s as much as I feel like writing. Thank you so much for reading. Enjoy your day!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Life is a gift and every moment is precious. We must be mindful of how we choose to spend them.

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford
Trust the Process

Hello! Hello! Hello!!

Two days before my 49th birthday! YAY!! This week, I decided not to post any pictures. Been focusing on other things, so I haven’t been very photogenic. But, I guess I could have used one of my favorite filters. (Laughing)

Anyhoo.. I didn’t intend to write about taking pictures or my birthday. I wanted to discuss “The Process.” During my morning scroll through my Facebook memories, I came across one of the first quotes I shared, “Focus on the PROMISE, not the PROCESS.” This got me to thinking about the last year. What’s had my focus, the promise or the process? Hmmm…

Honestly, I believe it’s pretty even. At different times, I have given one more attention than the other. Which, thinking back, was necessary. I believe when I originally wrote the quote– because I wrote it as a reminder to myself– I had become frustrated with trying to get my business up and running.

Side note: The downside of spontaneously resigning was trying to figure out my next move. Even though I already had a consulting business, it was for small contracts only. Something I could do on the side. My business was never set up to be my sole source of income.

So, at the time that I wrote the quote, I was feeling lost and discouraged. That’s when I had to encourage myself to focus on the promise and not the process. Had I focused on the process, I don’t believe I would have made it this far without returning to the corporate world.

Today, I’m not where I want to be with my business; however, I’m getting there. Over the past year, I have spent unnecessary money and time following rabbit holes trying to find my niche. If you have been reading my blogs for a while, then you have been on this journey with me. Y’all know I love EVERYTHING!! Yeah.. I’m pretty transparent about that. Y’all know I be all over the place so thanks for riding with me. (Laughing) Listen, life would be so boring if I just stuck with a plan.

Anyway, I promise you this ride is going somewhere. However, now instead of going 100 miles/hour, I’ve slowed it down to a steady 30 miles/hour. Also, I have cut back on the detours and side adventures. Just because that outlet mall has a few different stores doesn’t mean I have to go exploring. (Smile)

I know some of you may be wondering why I didn’t seek professional assistance from a business consultant. Well, I did. Several. The problem was, I had no idea of where I wanted to take my business. I was all over the place. At one point I didn’t even want to do anything nutrition related and it’s my profession. Honestly, I truly feel bad for wasting their time. They really tried to help. What I did gain was insight on how to narrow down my focus to providing a few services rather than trying to save the world.

Okay, back to the process. At this moment, I’m very much focused on the process. The promise is just too big to think about at this time. However, whenever I find myself becoming discouraged again, I’ll switch my focus. I now realize there has to be a balance between the two.

As always, thanks for reading and riding along. Y’all enjoy your day!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Happy Wednesday! Today’s blog is coming from a place of worship. Since Monday, the song I Do Worship by John P. Kee has been on repeat in my head. It’s like lately my soul has been in this constant state of worship. Which is beautiful because I used to think it was impossible, at least for me. I remember my great, great grandma humming songs of praise throughout her day as she did her daily tasks. Which I found amusing because the only time I remember her going to church was for funerals. Yet she hummed songs of praise throughout the day. Today I realize it’s not about how often you go to church or how religious you are that defines your relationship with God. It’s about your personal connection with Him. And y’all, I’m so grateful for my relationship with Him.

For those who are familiar with Christianity, I got saved (accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior) when I was 8 years old. When I did, I took my relationship with God very seriously. Over the past 40 years, the amount of time I have spent in God’s presence has fluctuated; however, there’s never been a time that I haven’t acknowledged Him, even before I got saved. With this said, the relationship I have with Him today is truly indescribable. Y’all, I really wish I could give you a glimpse of the way He loves me. Forever humbled and grateful. I’m truly blessed.

Before I go, I’m going to leave you with the lyrics from I Do Worship.

I Do Worship
John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir
Source: LyricFind

I do worship, I do worship
I do worship You
I do worship, I do worship
I do worship You

For Your goodness and Your glory
For the joy inside Your story
I do worship You

Oh, how excellent is Your presence
We will bless Your name
For Your goodness and Your glory
For the joy inside Your story

For the peace You gave to me
For the day You set me, set me free

For Your goodness and Your glory
For the joy inside Your story

I do worship, I do worship
I do worship, I do worship
I do worship, I do worship
I do worship, I do worship
You

For Your goodness and Your glory
For Your goodness and Your glory
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah

He’s so faithful, He’s so faithful
He’s so faithful, He’s so faithful
Yes, He is, Yes, He is, Yes, He is, Yes

Lord, I love You, Lord, I love You
Lord, I love You, Lord, I love You

Wishing you an amazing Wednesday!

Shaun