HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
URBANOLOGY
All Things are Beneficial
By: W.A.Rogers
T
aoist author and Master, Wu Wei, writes that the world works in perfect order and all things are beneficial. This is not a concept that is easy to embrace. We all have experienced disappointments, tragedies, and situations that may not seem beneficial. According to Master Wei, we can view disappointments and tragedies with questions of “why” or questions of “how.”
You can ask, “Why did such a terrible thing happen to me?” or “How can I learn to grow from this experience? “You have a choice. If you allow faith, patience, and a belief that a benefit can be found in all things, you will reach the ability to overcome disappointment and tragedies. This is far more beneficial than allowing disappointment and tragedy to darken your spirit and faith. How often have we experienced what seemed to be negative at the time then later realizing that if that experience had not taken place, a lesson could not have taken place? We are all connected to the mind of the universe and that connection allows for our thoughts to manifest into a reality. There is a reason for all things; if you encounter a negative experience, embrace it
Harlem Community Newspapers | July 30. 2020
Answers to Puzzle on page 16
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and use it as a tool for growth. Think about what you want: not what you fear. Fear and Doubt are the two greatest barriers to spiritual growth and development. When we doubt our abilities, it is exceedingly difficult to overcome fear and failure. It is not falling that makes us strong but the ability to keep getting up. I believe we are in a time where our spiritual growth is dependent on seeking the benefit in all things; we often find what we are looking for. Two weeks ago, the Harlem Black Lives Matter mural was vandalized along with the BLM mural in front of Trump Towers. Four Trump supporters of African descent made videos of their actions and claimed they were doing God’s work. Many of the Harlem artists, community
groups, and individuals were angry and disappointed. Nikoa Evans Hendricks, executive director of Harlem Park to Park, and Erika Ewing, president of Got to Stop LLC, decided that they would raise money to revitalize the Harlem mural once again. The original Harlem mural was made possible with donations. The community responded once more, and on Sunday July 30th, a special ceremony was held to celebrate the revised Harlem BLM Mural site. Community organizations, civic leaders, spiritual leaders, members of the Harlem Community, and supporters from throughout New York City attended. This was a wonderful example of how a negative experience can motivate positive growth. The negative act of defacing the Harlem mural
galvanized a greater amount of support for the Harlem initiative. The female leader of the four individuals arrested for vandalizing the BLM mural at Trump Towers spoke highly of her experience with the police on social media. She suggested she would get similar treatment when she returned to Harlem to complete her mission to deface the Harlem mural. The New Breed life arts organization, under the leadership of Grand Master La-
marr Thorton who is also the coordinator of the HARLEM WEEK community security force, will have guards on the site during the night. They will work with the 28th precinct to ensure that the mural is safe until the end of the street closing on August 31st. Manhattan North police precincts, especially the 26th 28th 30th and 32nd, have had a long-standing relationship with Harlem community-based organizations. Because of this, trying to deface the Harlem mural again would not be wise. As my grandmother used to say, “God does not like ugly”. You can still make a donation to help the Harlem BLM mural initiative by going to www.harlemparktopark.com/ blacklivesmattermural. We can find a benefit in all things if we can open our minds to the concept that all things can be beneficial.
