Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 12-18-18

Editorial/Column
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Learning The Hard Way
believe one of the worst feelings for a parent to ex- perience is the anguish that comes with watching their child flush his or her own life down the toilet. And it becomes even more difficult to handle when it happens after the parent has done everything he or she can to keep their seed out of harm's
way.
Nothing in the raising-a-kid
handbook prepares you for the day when your baby, the one who you had such high hopes for, suddenly decides to travel down the loser highway. It hap- pens so subtly that you barely realize that they've veered dras- tically off course until it's too late. And, at that point, you're typically left in the position of desperately attempting to re- gain their attention in an effort to lead them back into the right direction.
During the process, I imag- ine parents asks themselves if they're doing their child any fa- vors by constantly saving him or
her from crashing out when it becomes clear that he or she is hell bent on playing the role of a dummy? While I'm sure some may find this harsh to hear, I've come to the conclusion that al- lowing them to hit the wall face first may not be such a bad idea.
The truth is, there's some- thing extremely therapeutic about hitting rock bottom. I don't know if it's the sharp edges on the stones when you get there, the sting of the impact or the dread of being stuck in that environment forever, but reaching that level of despair has a tendency to wake a person up and make him realize how much time he's wasted being a screw up.
I know this because it is a lesson that I had to learn my- self. It took me being thrown into prison and having most of my adulthood snatched away to finally understand the impor- tance of family, the precious- ness of life and the value of freedom.
Before my own personal visit to that lowly place, I took all of those things for granted. Now, my greatest wish is to go back in time in order to tell my younger self that there are very real consequences that come with being too hard-headed.
You want to believe that simply showing someone a bet- ter way would prevent them from making the same costly mistakes. But, unfortunately for some people, it doesn't matter how much advice or wise coun- sel they receive from individuals who've already been through all of the trials and tribulations this world has to offer, seeing the ugly underbelly of our existence firsthand is a must.
Even though they've been told that fire is hot, they're not satisfied until they can reach out and touch the flame for themselves. And, since pain has always been the best teacher from the beginning of time, as sad as it is to say, sometimes you have to let them feel the singe in order for them to learn that, when you play with things that you should take serious, be- coming scarred for life is a very real possibility.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbarronice@gmail. com.
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An Empty Plate For Christmas
o doubt, the majority of people reading this Edi-
torial will have an unbelievably positive and beautiful Christmas. For those of us who participate, tall Christmas trees will already be glittering in the liv- ing room in attempts to outdo outdoor ornaments . . . while wreaths hang from doors and mistletoe makes its strategic presence known just in time to foster the best kisses.
In fact, if you believe in the bounty of the Christmas Season as it pertains to the passionate love of good food, your Christmas dinner might include roast turkey, honey-baked ham, candied yams, potato salad, collard greens, corn bread, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese and a bevy of lip-smacking desserts and del- icacies that would make Betty Crocker and Patti La- Belle turn in their aprons.
But not everybody will be eating “high-on-the hog,” this Christmas. On that day, a conservative guess is millions of men, women, and children will be suffering starvation.
So, the following is what we suggest: In the name of the Saudi-American citizen and journalist who was re- cently murdered by his own countrymen, America and its allies should demand to be allowed to deliver food and medical aid to embattled Yemen in time for the Christmas Holidays, (Yes, there are many Christians in Yemen).
Meanwhile, in memory of the starvation of fellow human beings on Christmas Day, we ask our readers to set your dinner table by leaving a space with an empty plate in the name of the hunger that ravages our world on Christmas Day. As we enjoy our meal, say a silent prayer in hopes that Christmas will not always be a time of sadness for so many.
No Trespassing On Your Dreams
Your mind, your dreams and your pursuits are private property. Don't let anyone trespass on them.
mpowered Greetings.
Today, as I was going to the office, I saw a sign on a con- struction site that said “NO TRESPASSING.” I’ve gone past- that site on numerous occasions and my subconscious mind brought back to my recollection that the sign has been there since the origin of the project. However, today, God used that signtospeaktomeandIam going to use those two words, “No Trespassing,” to speak to you.
Many of you have hopes, dreams and aspiration that once you’ve shared them, the adver- sary sent things in your path to hinder them from manifesting. There are those of you that may have been violated as a child or even as an adult and are still try- ing to cope with the pain of the situation.
Some are yet trying to break out of the cycle of poverty and
daily struggle of maintaining to keep your head above water. While others are in business and really want to throw in the towel because this is not what you signed up for. You thought your money would be flowing freely and your finances on fleek. No matter who you are or what you’re facing, I want you to make a declaration today that simply states, “No Trespassing.”
“No” means to refuse or deny. “Trespass” is to enter a person’s land or property with- out their consent. Make up in your spirit today that when the pains of the past try to replay themselves in the movie reel of your mind that you’re going to say access denied. “No trespass- ing!”
I may not be over this, but it’s not going to stop me from getting to my divinely designed destiny. Get a resolve in your spirit that when the adversary tries to use people to kill your dream of being successful, steal your joy, peace, happiness and accomplishments, or destroy your confidence that you will stand flat-footed and firm and
say “NO TRESPASSING.” Not today!
There will be “NO TRES- PASSING” on my feelings or my emotional state of being. There will be “NO TRESPASSING” on my bank balance or my goal of financial freedom. There will be “NO TRESPASSING” on my family or its stability. There will be “NO TRESPASSING” on my business pursuits or career op- portunities to advance my life.
Be encouraged and know that you have the power to say no to anything, anyone and any situation that tries to enter the intellectual property of your mind or personal space without your permission. “NO TRES- PASSING!”
About Selphenia Selphenia Nichols Sim- mons is hailed as “The Queen of Success”. As a Life and Busi- ness Success Coach, she inspires Christian women and entrepre- neurs to go from being a mess to making massive profits. Selphenia’s no-nonsense busi- ness strategies take individuals and organizations from scratch, or anywhere in between, to Suc- cess. Selphenia is available to speak at churches, schools, uni- versities, business organiza-
tions, retreats and conferences. Get connected. Join Selphenia on Social Media for
some daily motivation. Facebook: Selphenia
Nichols Success Coach To Women; Instagram: Selphe- nia; and Twitter: queenofsuc- cess1.
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