Embracing the Blessing of Survival By JM Benjamin

Reflecting on my journey, I am fully aware of how blessed I am to have survived the trials and tribulations that marked my early years. As a young boy, my world was marred by the harsh realities of domestic violence, street violence, and the looming presence of criminality. These experiences, indelibly etched into my memory, cast long shadows over my childhood, leaving emotional and mental traumas that I continue to navigate.

Although my parents were married, my father was incarcerated more than not, so I was eventually raised by a single mother. Growing up in a home where domestic violence was a grim constant, I learned the painful lesson that safety could be elusive. The echoes of anger and the fear that permeated our household were early teachers in the cruelest sense. It seemed that my mother searched for love in all the wrong places and men. Because of that, I was forced to watch my mother be used as a human punching bag, while I remained helpless at a young age. When I took to the streets, violence was not just a possibility but a frequent reality, an ever-present threat that shaped the contours of my daily existence. It was there, I learned to defend myself and stand up for myself. It was a different type of education and opposite of the one you receive in school. Encounters with criminality were not rare, and these moments of exposure to the darker aspects of my life left scars that only deepened over time.

Yet, amid all of that, a beacon of light shone brightly in my life. I come from a very spiritual and God-fearing background, a heritage that provided an anchor in the stormiest of seas. My mother, a pillar of strength and resilience, stood firm in the absence of my father. Her unwavering faith and constant prayers were a source of solace and guidance. She taught me to turn to prayer, to seek strength and wisdom from a higher power. Her example was instrumental in teaching me how to survive and navigate the treacherous waters of our poverty-stricken, crime-infested environment.

Despite the relentless challenges, I always had an intrinsic sense of being blessed. There were moments when this awareness felt like a distant whisper, overshadowed by the immediacy of survival. However, with each storm weathered and every tragedy endured, the magnitude of these blessings became increasingly apparent. Surviving the adversities of my youth was not just a matter of chance; it was a testament to a greater plan, a divine orchestration that shielded and guided me through the darkest of times.

Every day, I count and acknowledge my blessings, a practice that has become second nature. I am profoundly thankful, grateful, and appreciative that the Creator continues to bless both me and my family. The gratitude I feel is not merely for the survival but for the strength, ability, and wisdom gained through these experiences. These blessings have not only preserved me but have also equipped me to face future challenges with a fortified spirit.

I encourage everyone to recognize and embrace their blessings. Life's storms and tragedies may obscure our vision, but within each trial lies an opportunity to discover the depth of our blessings. We are all blessed in ways that we may not immediately comprehend, and acknowledging these blessings can transform our outlook and our lives. Let us be thankful for each new day, for the strength to persevere, and for the divine presence that guides us. Be blessed, and let your gratitude illuminate your path. #whowithme