Marvin Gaye is one of my favorite artists. A couple of years ago, I traveled for work to Atlanta for a bowl game. My team won! We had such an awesome time celebrating that I forfeited my return airline ticket just to ride back by car with my significant other to continue the celebration. We put our favorite Marvin song on repeat, “I Want You,” and glided down the highway singing at the top of our lungs the whole way. Marvin’s music is soulful and prophetic. It continues to speak to times such as these.

When I think about what’s happening in our world, we seem to be living the lyrics of, “What’s Going On?”

“Mother, mother

There’s too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There’s far too many of you dying

You know we’ve got to find a way

To bring some lovin’ here today …”

Without a doubt, we’re experiencing more than our share of loss and trauma this year. Some say it’s biblical, others spiritual, another group says it’s political, and then there are those who, well, let’s just say they don’t believe there is a problem. Whether you subscribe to one or more of these perspectives, or something completely different, the fact remains – it’s a lot!

I’m not sure there’s any one thing that can be said to encourage people. I do, however, appreciate seeing the efforts people are making to do so. If you’re like me, you navigate your way through by acknowledging the challenges for what they are. You analyze the challenge multiple ways, try to find solutions, drown yourself with work or other joyful distractions, cry on a dime when sadness knocks, thank God for the beautiful life He blessed you with, pray for others, and cling to those closest to you and remind them of how much you love them.

If there’s anything I know about life’s challenges – pain, losses, hardships and trauma – it is that we will get through this. How do I know that? I’m glad you asked. Like Langston Hughes wrote, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”

Unfortunately, I began experiencing loss that I could comprehend before the age of 12 with my maternal grandmother – the one I wrote about a couple of weeks ago who was wicked with a switch. From that day on, the trauma continued with other relatives, all of whom I had close relationships with, until my world was wiped off the map when I loss one of my brothers. All before the age of 24. You see, I’ve had to learn how to be resilient early. You, too, can overcome this season.

I encourage you to take steps to hold on until the storm passes. It will pass. And it’s important for you to come out on the other side different than you went in. It’s up to you to determine what kind of different that will be.

Will you be more patient? Resilient? Forgiving? Courageous? Loving?

Don’t miss the opportunity to make positive change for yourself and others in spite of the storm. Just remember to breathe.

Visit www.yourpointofpride.com to start the journey of becoming the best version of yourself.