Last week’s blog commented on status in the community being more than how far back you can claim your African Nova Scotian ancestry, important though that is. Credibility and standing in society should revolve around your personal contribution to bettering yourself and those around you, including family, friends, peers and the wider community membership. The onus is on what you have done or are undertaking to make your life and the lives of those around you, more meaningful, fulfilling and happier. You inherited your pedigree. It cost you no effort. The price was borne by your ancestors, often at considerable sacrifice. Now, what are you prepared to do to add to your legacy through the conduct of your life and the contribution you will make, or are making, to the betterment of others?
I was reminded of personal sacrifice for the benefit of family, friends and community, this week by some special news from a family member. He had had substance misuse issues for over half his life and decided with help from specialist resources and family and friends who loved him, to change his way of life and free himself from the ‘security’ which was slowly killing him and placing barriers between him and those who loved him. He has now achieved four weeks of sobriety and has not been this happy and satisfied with his life, for some 29 years. This is a wonderful achievement, worthy of celebration; a belated recognition that our lives in identified communities, are not ours to do with as we alone please. We are connected to one another and our actions and attitudes have an impact on those around us and therefore we must take that into consideration in the way we live our lives.
Children, youth and young adults need to be taught this important life lesson. Celebrant, used in the title of this blog, comes from the Latin word celebrare; meaning to ‘assemble to honour’. I honour my family member for turning his life around. The process will be life long and must be tackled step by step. But, he has started and we will be there in support. Why? Because we are all involved. We are all affected. We all benefit by his success. We are part of that achievement, which is why he contacted us to inform us of his marvellous news. ‘Authentic’, also used in the title of this blog means, to be of undisputable origin. Not the work of someone else. The effort and perseverance of sticking to the decision to change was my family member’s and his alone. He therefore deserves to be honoured.
Evidence-based research suggests that FRIENDS for Life, a school based anxiety prevention program, works. It is designed to help children (aged 7-11) and youth (aged 12-16), to grasp the tools to deal well with fears, worries, anxieties and depression, by developing their ability to cope with challenges through coping skills, problem solving, assistance in being social and developing relationships with peers and adults. Underpinning this program is trying to teach children and youth to listen to their bodies and when triggers arise such as anxiety, they can learn relaxation techniques to help (Barrett, P., and Sonderegger, R. (2005) Anxiety in Children-FRIENDS program. In A. Freeman (ed.), Encyclopedia of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. (pp. 42-45). New York: Springer. Cited in Schneider, S. (2014)
Part 2 of this week’s blog will follow on Monday, 19th December 2016