Wednesday – Page 4 – It’s Shaun’s World

“Yes” on the strength part. The complexities and experiences of life and love have made me stronger. However, “No” on the bravery part. Well, only in the case of love. My experiences with love and its shenanigans have always made me retreat. I have yet to become brave in this area; however, I am working on it. One day I’ll be a love warrior-Queen! Smile

Anyhoo… On a softer, less complex note.

Last year, I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my dreams being revived. I wrote about how an invitation to a culinary experience had changed my life ten years earlier (May 2014). I said it had awakened childhood dreams I had buried in my early 20s. Well, at 51, those dreams are still alive, and this time, despite the “complexities” of life—because life is going to keep lifeing—I plan to keep them alive. Just call me the warrior-Queen and protector of my dreams!

That’s all I have for you now. I do want to know your thoughts on the question above. Are you stronger and/or braver because of your experiences?

I pray you have a fabulous day. You deserve it!♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

hope

Phenomenal, Is Who I Am

April 30, 2025 Shaun Bradford

Found this beautiful reminder by Dr. Maya Angelou in my in my saved photos (April 30, 2020). “I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”

Such a beautiful find!💎

And timely!

I’m currently reading Dr. Angelou’s book, “A Song Flung Up To Heaven.” I read it ages ago and recently found it after my mom passed. It was packed away with her things. When I read it the first time, I read it without stopping to soak in her stories. Now that I’m older and in the process of finding my space in this over-50 community and the work that I’m finding myself drawn to, her stories are hitting differently. I see her.

Mother. Daughter. Sister. Friend.

Advocacy. Politics. Equality. Human Rights. Freedom.

Love. Life. Being.

Art.

Music.

Rhythm.

I feel this.

It’s who I am.

Yes…

A phenomenal woman.

That’s me.♥️

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 90

April 30, 2025 Shaun Bradford

The message: Do Not Be Afraid

Do not be afraid, for I am with you…” Isaiah 43:5

Several posts ago, I wrote that I was singing— “Lord, whatever You’re doing in this season, don’t do it without me.” Ha! You know, when you say things like that, you open doors for God to do more in your life. And the word “more” also means “the unknown.” Scary, huh?

The scripture above is from this morning’s readings. It’s the assurance I needed to keep trucking along on this journey. I know God is with me. I have never doubted that He was. However, sometimes I need to hear from HIM (not from someone online or a sermon, but from God himself) that He is and always will be with me through this journey. I am not sure where God is leading me. Honestly, at times, I feel completely lost because nothing is going as I planned—things are just happening. But I guess when you say things like, “Have Your way, Lord,” “Your will be done,” “I’m Your vessel, do what You want to do,” and “I’m open to whatever You want to do in my life,” and the list goes on—you open yourself up to whatever God wants to do. Whew, the things I say and agree to in my conversations with God!🥴

As I smile through tears—happy and nervous tears—one thing I am certain of, and can always be sure of, is that I don’t have to fear anything because God is with me. I’m covered.♥️

Shaun