Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 9-1-17

Editorials/Columns
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Welcome To Water World
o those who have linger-
ing doubts concerning whether or not global warming is a real thing and wonder what a warmer planet would be like, I suggest taking a long look at what just took place in Houston, Texas this week.
The devastation produced by Hurricane Harvey is just a sample size of what we can expect as summer months continue to become hotter and sea levels steadily rise. It points to a future where own- ing a boat will no longer be a luxury, but a necessity as vital to safety and survival as door locks.
This rings especially true for anyone who plans on making Florida their home for the long haul. The scene in Texas should be a cautionary tale of just how terrible things could easily play out in cities like Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville or St. Petersburg if or when our luck runs out.
These days terms like "storm of the century" come off as woefully antiquated as cataclysmic weather systems arrive more frequently. With hurricanes like Wilma, Kat- rina, Sandy and now Har- vey all striking within the last decade+, it seems as though serious calamities can be counted on to hit some portion of the southeastern United States every 3 to 4 years. It is a probability for disaster so high that, for everyone living in this section of the country, it war- rants giving the idea of relocat- ing some serious consideration.
The most depressing part is that the intensity of these events isn't projected to lighten up anytime soon. In fact, according to some climate scientists, what we're witness- ing is the very beginning of a new normal as high levels of carbon dioxide heat up the planet, making the environ-
ment around us even more hostile.
This means, as these types of catastrophes begin to occur more often and the cost of con- stantly re-building washed out or leveled areas escalates, there may eventually come a day when serious discussions among those at the top will center around whether or not reconstruction is worth the trouble.
At that point, sticking around wouldn't be an option due to the fact that the infra- structure required for any city to function properly would, more than likely, be non-exis- tent.
All of this, of course, is the result of the climate change that individuals, in positions to make a difference (i.e. Don- ald Trump), refuse to ac- knowledge.
And unfortunately for us and the "see-no-evil" naysay- ers, the fact of the matter is that, it's definitely happening and it's only a matter of time before the same water we're now seeing on television will be at our very own doorsteps.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. You can write to Mr. Barr at: Clarence Barr 43110-018, Oakdale F. C. I., P. O. BOX 5000, Oakdale, LA 71463.
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Forty-Nine Inches Of Rain And The Hopeful Signs Of A Rainbow
Not since the Biblical forty days and forty nights have they seen so much rain, or so it was said by officials in Houston, Texas and by the President who
visited there.
To his credit, Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), was also there, and this time, he didn’t stumble over his tongue, but actu- ally sounded like a bureaucrat who knew what he was talking about regarding putting the fractured, rain- soaked egg of Houston back together again.
In the meantime, North Korea spat a rocket over the head of Japan, while Trump chose not only to par- don a police racist who reminds us of the infamous Bull Connor, but decided also to ban transgender cit- izens from America’s all-volunteer military.
Who’s next . . . Gays or Lesbians? Hispanic or Black people?
However, we will admit, it felt good to see Amer- ica’s Chief Executive acting at last like America’s Chief Executive. Wearing one of an endless array of his mer- chandised baseball caps, each one touting “USA,” Trump quipped with the camera and back-slapped the Governor of Texas at a time when more than 4 feet of rain has marooned approximately 450,000 citizens of the “Lone Star State.”
In days to come, let’s hope the photo-op will actually manifest into action by the long arm of the federal gov- ernment to aid a state in the midst of a truly dire emer- gency.
Meanwhile, Russian meddling still mucks up daily due diligence at the White House, the First Lady, tout- ing a FLOTUS hat herself, seems to be the last in line at all official engagements where she shows up, and Trump, in Barnum and Bailey style, continues to hark himself as “America’s Hardest Working President.”
And what do we say?
We say, “Please God, let it stop raining, so we can see the rainbow.’’
Take Control: 5 S.T.E.P.S. To Success
Part 3
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
Muhammad Ali
mpowered Greet-
ings. Starting today, make your days count as I em- power you to empower your- self with Success Step 2 which is to Take Control.
Take control over your des- tiny by controlling what you see and hear. Why?
Because your eyes and ears are the gateway to your soul. Everything that you have ever seen or heard will affect, infect or have an effect on your thoughts, either consciously or unconsciously. Be it positive or negative.
What you think about longest in your life will become strongest in your life. It will be what drives and motivates you or what stagnates you. What you see and hear will impact
your thought processes. Be it positive or negative.
Your thoughts affect your heart and how you feel about things. Your mind ponders and causes you to meditate on things. Be it positive or nega- tive. These thoughts will incite certain feelings, be it good or bad.
What you feel will shape what you say. Matthew 15:18a says: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth came from the heart;” if you say something long enough, you will act on it. Be it positive or negative.
What you say will deter- mine what you will do. Be it positive or negative.
Things you do over and over again become habits. Habits are recurrent, often un- conscious patterns of behavior performed by you; or custom- ary manners or practices in your business or ministry. Be it positive or negative.
Your habits mold your character. Be it positive or neg- ative.
Your character will ulti- mately determine your des- tiny. Be it positive or negative.
Well, on the positive note, I say to you today yes, you can control your destiny by staying away from negative people, things and thoughts, as they will cause you to become stagnant. Being stagnant is to be motionless; show little or no sign of activity or advance- ment; not developing or pro- gressing; lacking vitality or briskness; sluggish or dull.
You are too GREAT to stag- nate. So, control your destiny, your thoughts and your life by choosing to watch and read positive things. Associate with positive people who speak pos- itive affirmations in your life, to encourage and empower you.
Stay connected to Selphenia for more tips, tools and strategies for your success. Follow her on Social Media. Face- book: Selphenia Nichols Success Coach To Women; Instagram: @selphenia; Twitter: @queenofsuccess1; or Call: 813-603-0088 to re- quest Selphenia to speak, MC or train at your next event.
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