The service I attended two Sundays ago re-emphasised an awesome lesson that I do not intend to forget anytime soon… or let me say, that I do not think I will ever forget in life.

As the worship was on, everyone was just there, following the normal order of service. You know, Sunday school, praise and worship, offering and all that. This woman stepped in, communicated with the Pastor that she would like to do a Thanksgiving. The pastor allowed her—she was blind and was assisted into the church by a little boy.

As soon as she mounted the pulpit, she praised God, she was a singer who had studio albums already and currently in the middle of producing another one. She sang so beautifully. This woman narrated a lot of stuff that had happened to her since she lost her sight. Her testimony got me and I was going to cry. Not for her experience really, but for the fact that with all that stuff that happened to her, she still went from church to church sharing her testimony, praising God.

She was not in the church for the money really, she was just there TO PRAISE GOD; to share her testimony; to motivate people and make them value the things—eyes—they have but she no longer owned. And after she was gone, the service changed, the real atmosphere of worship was felt in the church and the pastor could no longer preach. Everyone just worshipped God for the gift of “whatever they could think of”.

What am I saying exactly? This woman found purpose in her lost eyes, she found that it was necessary to spur faith in people with her story; rather than just stay back at home with three kids and cry everyday with eyes that was no longer there. She energised the body of Christ to worship instead; she energised people to be more thankful for what they have.

Friend, rather than wallowing in self-pity, and self-doubt because of the experiences you have had in the past, why not make a value code of it? Why not make it into a blessing for you and for the people around you and for the world at large? I mean, the rejection, disappointments, failure, loss etc.

I converted my blog from Religious only to include matters that pertain to physical Life and Poetry because I once battled depression. My relationship life did not really work as I had envisaged. You know, being turned down repeatedly by women (even spiritual ones) for being good: “You’re a good person but…” etc. And I was always like, “The fuck?! Why y’all want bad, phony and manipulative guys?”

I had blogged a little about it but no details given, perhaps because I was not ready to make the stories public yet. Of a truth, that really got to me over years and almost damaged me, coupled with the loss of my mother. Hence, I dedicated my entire blogging on lifestyle to helping readers overcome depression and its siblings—anxiety, fear etc.—via my experience; because I did already. However, I still hate that phrase though and I do not really want to hear it from any girl, ever again… like, shut the fuck up, I know I am a good person.

Read it here: Why Do Women Seem To Not Know What They Want Exactly

I gained victory over anxiety, depression and fear of all kinds. So, rather than hating my experience, I saw them as a means through which I could help people battling with depression from loss and interpersonal relationships with people. “If I got over it, you can get over it, too.” I made a value code out of the experiences that I had. Rather than mistakes and failure, I saw ways to better help people become far away from their worst fears; from depression and the feeling of guilt and unworthiness. I give hope to people—hope that works, not the kind that breeds laziness—Christian or not.

And it was not hard. All that the woman did and I did, too, was that we changed our attitude. I changed my mindset, I changed the way I viewed my experiences, I saw them as adventure—stories I want to tell people. Stories I want to tell my children. Stories of how their dad did this and that to motivate them to act whenever they face similar challenge(s) as mine in life. Because, let us be sincere, life does not always throw us goodies. Honestly, I do not know who/what made it that way—maybe God or sin—but shit just happens and the only way to remain sane is to keep in mind that “SOMEONE MADE IT THROUGH THIS, I CAN, TOO!” This is why I share my story. This was what the blind woman ministered, as well, in her own way.

After she left, people worshipped God more. After reading my stories and experiences, people thanked me for helping them through their situation(s) and that my story gave them hope and spurred them to do more; helped them learn how to handle stress and anxiety. And for that I am grateful.

The conclusion is not much really, it is all in the title: With A Positive Attitude, Value Can Be Created From Anything That Happens To You In Life. The attitude is simply acknowledging the good in every situation—seeing the hard times as learning processes that are equipping you for greater events that are yet to unfold. No misfortune, no room for depression, no more overthinking mistakes and failure, no more fear of uncertainty, just living—an opportunity to expand your scope for you, first, and then, for the people around you.

Yours with love,

Hagios A. Akins