Heart & Soul

This has been a tough time for many of us, yet still we must count our blessings. After all, we made it through another year—even if we’re limping into 2010 weighed down by downsizing, foreclosures, health issues and other personal challenges.

With record unemployment, our families have been trying to make unruly financial ends meet. More families have joined the ranks of the homeless. And no jobs plus no homes certainly means no insurance, when we already suffer disproportionately from all sorts of health conditions. Add to this crimes of desperation, from robberies to domestic violence; suicides; and premature deaths from worn-down bodies and souls.

All of this means that we must do an even better job of taking care of ourselves and each other. Remember that no matter what you’re going through, someone else has a worse scenario. Say a kind word to brighten someone’s day. Share a little bit of what you have (OK, what you don’t have) with extended family members, neighbors and even strangers through your place of worship or organizations that really make a difference. Even if you can’t share money, you can share some of your time. Remember all those terrible beat-downs in the news this year? We can avoid some of those tragedies by spending more time with our young. Start in your extended family and neighborhood.

Keep yourself uplifted by looking on the bright side, looking at the cup half full instead of half empty. Do what you can to stay healthy and fit. Protect your last good nerve, and share your woes with a professional whether you feel just a little bit blue and especially if you’re bluer than blue.

All of these things work for me as well as my circle of family and friends. Like many of you, I’ve experienced a lot of loss in 2009. I’ve lost many friends and relatives, some at early ages, like the two cousins who died around Christmas. Most of all, I lost my father. So I’ve been bending lots of ears and pouring out my heart. I’ve been encircled with lots of love and listening ears. I also took the time to talk to a grief counselor as backup and to practice what I preach.

Yes, I still have a broken heart, but it does get easier just as everyone has told me over and over again. More importantly, I’m counting my blessings. I enjoyed the love of my father, step-father and grandfather. Some people lack strong men in their lives. Not only did I have these three as role models and protectors—William R. Rice, Charles Jordan and Rudolph Rice—but I’ve also had the love of some wonderful brothers, uncles and cousins.

I count my blessings that a year ago I witnessed history through my father’s eyes during the inauguration of President Barack Obama. My father was one of those “Obama maniacs,” a fan long before the president threw his hat in the ring. He helped to open the campaign office in Albany, Georgia, and worked tirelessly get out the vote as prostate and colon cancer began to weaken his body. He stood mesmerized at the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball, watching the President and First Lady dance. I hope they know that Bill Rice is putting in a good word for them up in heaven and that he considered their victory a highlight of his 80 years on earth. Eighty well-lived years — that’s a blessing in itself!

I also count our blessings that Heart & Soul is still here to serve you. Unlike many media companies, we’re still standing. Thanks for helping us reach our 15^th anniversary, which we’ve celebrated in each issue in 2009 with top-15 stories. Thanks for helping us reach the 16^th with the current issue, graced by one of you. This year’s reader cover model is Jennifer Cameron, who shares how she overcame self-esteem issues, an eating disorder and war-time separation from her husband to become healthy, wealthy and wise. Best of all, some of our elders helped her achieve the glow you see on the cover.

Let’s continue to stand strong together. It’s in our genes; it’s part of our history. Here’s to a 2010, a decade, a future, rich with blessings for each of us. Please drop me a note at yricelamb@heartandsoul.com or post a comment below to share how you’re counting your blessings!

From my heart to yours,

Yanick Rice Lamb

Associate Publisher/Editorial Director