Four words can make one feel much richer: appreciate what you have.
Now, that’s much easier said than done.
I’m sure we’re all guilty of hitting the Monday morning snooze button and wishing for another day off, as someone unemployed or underemployed hopes today is the day he or she finds gainful employment.
But if we have a roof over our head, food on the table, someone who loves us, and good health, we’re doing pretty well in life.
Appreciating what one has applies not only personally but for one’s town as well.
It’s easy to focus on Blytheville’s shortcomings rather than recognizing the reality of what it has to offer potential residents. While Blytheville certainly has its challenges with crime and crumbling infrastructure, those issues alone do not paint the full picture or encompass all of its qualities.
How many communities would salivate at having generous steel giant Nucor in their backyard, while still being part of one of the top row crop producing counties in the nation?
How many towns are part of a county that has seen more than 300 new jobs created in the last few months? How many our size have access to river, rail and interstate?
How many cities would like to have the number one Relay for Life in the state and the top one per capita in fundraising in the nation?
How many towns would relish the opportunity to be home to a college with one of the most decorated nursing programs in Arkansas and the only with a steel training program that can otherwise only be found in Germany?
How many communities wish they had a facility like the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex that can host major youth tournaments and bring in teams from across the country as the Sportsplex has?
How many with a population of 14,000 or so have an opportunity to be home to a national Cold War museum on the site where nuclear weapons were once housed?
How many that size will be hosting an air show, as the Arkansas Aeroplex is this month, and whose residents can gaze at military aircraft flying over even with the base having been decommissioned 27 years ago?
How many places are home to a two-time Arkansas State Trooper of the Year as Blytheville is with Corporal Brandon Bennett, a Blytheville High School graduate, and the honor happened the same year as a Blytheville High School New Tech teacher, my wife Kristy Brasfield, is named Arkansas Council for Social Studies 9-12 Teacher of the Year?
How many communities were represented by three teams in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Michigan as Blytheville was through the Blytheville School District?
By the way, the BHS football and basketball programs have been pretty good too with both winning their respective conferences this year. In fact, Chickasaw football coach Ben Fisher was named the 5A-East Coach of the Year for leading his club to the title through some adversity.
How many towns have construction of a massive high school gym like the one Blytheville High School is building and a $15 million renovation of its county courthouse happening at the same time?
How many cities have more mouth-watering barbecue than Blytheville? None.
How many cities have been recognized as the Volunteer Community of the Year multiple times?
How many can compete with Blythevillians’ generosity when it comes to not only the fight against cancer, but mentoring youth, Great River Charitable Clinic care, Cleaner Safer Blytheville cleanups and impactful charity work from its civic clubs and churches?
How many can offer potential residents breathtaking sunsets?
The list could go on and on.
Blytheville has plenty of reasons to boast if we are willing to do so.
mbrasfield@neatowncourier.com