The AC Phoenix
April 1998
Page 5
Positively Black
Count Your Blessings
by Junious Ricardo Stanton
Sometimes when I'm talking with an
acquaintance, I find myself caught in a
gripe session, a pity party or ventilation
exercise. You know what that's like. The
person uses you as a listening station to
vent their frustration or displeasure
about whatever's going on in their life.
I've found if you interject something
positive or encouraging you may be
able to change the direction of the con
versation or they will move on, looking
for someone with a more sympathetic
ear.
One thing I used to hear older folks
say was "count your blessings." That's
something we need to make a conscien
tious effort to do more of, acknowledg
ing the good in our lives. Count your
blessings. Yes, times are full of change,
but there are numerous opportunities
and blessings inherent in all of this. We
just have to open our minds and our
eyes to recognize the good that is
around us. That's your assignment for
this week, count your blessings. I'm seri
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ous. Find a secluded place, get quiet,
take out several sheets of paper, get a
pen or pencil and review your life. Look
at all the good things, all the blessings
that have come your way. Even if you
are going through rough times, emotion
al upheaval and major changes, count
your blessings. There is a message in
your mess, a lesson in every loss and in
every ordeal there is ordination. In other
words, there are blessings in what on
the surface seems to be disaster. Go
below the surface, take a serious look at
your life and count your blessings.
If your life is a mess, isn't it a blessing
that there are messages in that very situ
ation that will, if you seek them out and
do what is necessary, lead to resolution
and putting things right? One of the
meanings of the word ordination is the
act of settling, arranging or establishing.
Isn't it a blessing to know that in the
midst of our trials, tribulations, pain and
anguish we can find ways to settle,
arrange and establish a more positive
lifestyle?
Take a thoughtful, in-depth and hon
est look at your life. Things aren't
always what they seem. What you once
thought was a disaster may, after
reassessment, turn out to be a redemp
tive situation, a major turning point in
your life. The dissolution of a toxic rela
tionship may be painful, but it will get
you out of a stifling, abusive and
destructive situation. The solution to the
problem is not to attract or be attracted
to that type of person again. It's like the
man who goes to see his physician and
says, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." The
doctor examines him and says, "Well,
don't do that." If what you are doing is
causing you pain, the prudent thing to
do is stop doing it. The pain is a signal
for you to stop doing what you are
doing. It is a clarion call to do some
thing different. Your pain is a blessingl
It goes without saying that each of us
should be thankful for our health, for
positive, supportive and nurturing
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friends, and for being as the ol' folks say,
"clothed in my right mind." If you are
clothed in your right mind, you will act
accordingly. You will do what is right
and in your best interests. You will
cease and desist from doing what is
harmful and detrimental to yourself,
your family or our community. Be
thankful for the opportunity to change. It
is a blessing to be able to alter negative
habits and substitute life-enhancing pat
terns in their place. It's a blessing that
we don't have to remain stuck in ruts of
foolishness, ignorance and self-destruc
tion. We can change, we can learn from
our mistakes, we can grow wiser and be
better. Count it a blessing that you have
grown, you are wiser and you are better
than you used to be. If you aren't or you
haven't, count it a blessing that you
don't have to remain the way you are.
Count it a blessing that change is always
an option that improvement is ever pos
sible.
Count your blessings.
'' '
You’re in good hands.
Gerald Scott
Sr. Acct. Agent
897 Peterscreek Pkwy
Ste. 102
Winston-Salem
Bus 722-3560
Res 922-2981