Quite recently I've been paying more attention to the thought of paying attention. So many things pass over our heads on a daily basis simply because we don't pay attention. One can easily be distracted by their thoughts and fail to realize what's taking place in the world around them. I believe it is this attention to detail that makes all the difference between successful and unsuccessful individuals.
A more sophisticated terminology would be mindfulness. In my weekly reading of Office Vibe they presented an article on the topic and its importance in the workplace. I won't go into great detail about the concept as it can be easily researched but I will say that it is mind blowing. Over the last decade I've worked with many supervisors/managers, some who I believe to be more mindful than others.
The proof is in the pudding as they say. Those individuals who were more aware of what they were doing and why they were doing it were easier to communicate with and were more precise when giving instructions. Working alongside these individuals inspired me to be a better worker and to deliver as best I could.
There's much to be said of individuals aren't paying any attention to the details of their work/lives and as such may be stuck in a vicious cycle. Though my journey to that place isn't yet complete, suffice it to say that I am now paying attention.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Barefoot Games Night
In my action plan for August I am determined to Blog every Thursday before midnight for the entire month. My post this week is about how in everyday there's an opportunity to do something you e never done before and be happy doing it. I went for an afternoon swim yesterday ( I do live on an island after all ) but forgot to pack flip flops before leaving for work. I thought to myself, no worries you won't need to get out the car anyways. What I failed to take into account was the sporadic nature of how plans change on said island. I ended up picking up my aunt after work to run a few errands. She decided to tag along to the beach and then to have dinner at a restaurant she desperately wants to try but also wanted to go to games night at another... Too much if you asked me. My mission was simple. Beach>>>>Home. I parted was with her on my way to the beach as she set out on a quest to do as much as possible in the hour that my swim would take. Not long after I got to the beach and walking the tranquil shores, my cell phone starts being bombarded by her friend asking me desperately to come join them for quiz night as they needed my intellectual brain power. Of course my slippers dilemma was relayed as my reason for not attending, to which I was told to come barefoot as no one would care. On that note I decided that life is too short sometimes to wear shoes sometimes. Unfortunately though I didn't lead the team to a barefoot victory but alas a fun night was had by all. So the next time someone tells you to come on out to have some food and drinks, do t let your shoes keep you back. 😎 Till next week. Stay Driven.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Conversations in Life
Had a good chat with a dude today on the street car. He's from the Dominican Republic but has been in Canada for most of his life. Though his mother is a millionaire he's still working 40hrs a week living in Toronto with a girlfriend he's not sure he loves anymore. His exact words were "I feel like she's sucking the life out of me". Having been on both sides of that situation, I could definitely identity. He went on to say that they're different in their ideologies. He explained that although she knows how to save she values money over people and is materialistically driven. They argue for months at a time and even when they're together it feels like they're apart. Taking a vacation together was suggested as a means to solve the issues but in my advice the problems would still be waiting when they got back. I told him about a friend of mine and how he spent five years with a girl and not marry her because he wasn't happy in the relationship. I also told him about my experiences in my past relationships and how I'm now learning what I need to learn. It's funny how life comes at you sometimes huh, especially when you least expect it. I've had my fare share of conversations on the 501 street car but this one by far was the best. We're both introverted and looking that opening to talk to more people. We both listen to Eric Thomas as a motivational speaker and trying to get to that next level of consciousness. All in all I couldn't help but think that Gods sense of humor is not funny at times but other days I'm humbled by how timely it is.
At the end of it I couldn't help but think that my struggle isn't only unique to me but there are others out there struggling as much as I am. However I need to bear in mind that my struggle does not define me. It's just one part of who I am. For I am a man made in the image of God, made to thrive not merely survive.
At the end of it I couldn't help but think that my struggle isn't only unique to me but there are others out there struggling as much as I am. However I need to bear in mind that my struggle does not define me. It's just one part of who I am. For I am a man made in the image of God, made to thrive not merely survive.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Paying off my credit card debt
4 years ago I got into a car accident. The repairs were estimated to cost me $2,500.00. Money I didn't have at the time. In trying to find a solution to my problem I applied for a credit card. I figured I'd be able to advance the money from my card and pay it back in installments. The application process was pretty simple. Within a matter of days the card was approved.
Thankfully I got a second quote on the repairs and was able to pay out of pocket. A few months after I went on vacation and the card came in quite handy.
My understanding was that I could pay off the overall balance in installments. Though I knew of interest fees and late payment fees I paid them no mind. And thus the cycle began.
Emergency bill payments were added to the mix as well as another vacation. As I was diligent with my minimum monthly payments (nothing to celebrate) my limit was raised (without consultation) and I felt like I had arrived in good card heaven. But this bliss was short lived as I soon realized that there were monthly interest fees against my outstanding balance which pretty much nullified my above minimum payments.
Fast forward four years later and another stint in higher education I was still liking down the barrel of a $5,000.00 balance. My wake up call came when a hopeful relationship ended due to my debt situation. It was o e of those moments where you either put up or shut up, and I put up.. This meant doubling the amount I had previously budgeted as well as committing my extra earnings towards clearing off this balance.
Happy to report that in two months of once and for all deciding to clear it all up, I did it. Funnily enough during this time frame the bank offered me a pre approved loan as well as a second credit card. I tried desperately not to laugh at the teller as he made his sales pitch. Little did he know that I was once behind the counter and made the same pitch to unenlightened (not sure if that's a word) customers. Fortunately for me I had years of experience to draw from and knew that the only way to end the cycle is to end the cycle.
If you're struggling with credit card debt my advise to you is to get out as soon as you can. This may mean getting a part time job or simply bootstrapping your weekly/monthly budget and squeezing the very last drop out of it. This may mean no drinks with friends or a few other frills for a while but trust me when I say it'll be worth it.
Thankfully I got a second quote on the repairs and was able to pay out of pocket. A few months after I went on vacation and the card came in quite handy.
My understanding was that I could pay off the overall balance in installments. Though I knew of interest fees and late payment fees I paid them no mind. And thus the cycle began.
Emergency bill payments were added to the mix as well as another vacation. As I was diligent with my minimum monthly payments (nothing to celebrate) my limit was raised (without consultation) and I felt like I had arrived in good card heaven. But this bliss was short lived as I soon realized that there were monthly interest fees against my outstanding balance which pretty much nullified my above minimum payments.
Fast forward four years later and another stint in higher education I was still liking down the barrel of a $5,000.00 balance. My wake up call came when a hopeful relationship ended due to my debt situation. It was o e of those moments where you either put up or shut up, and I put up.. This meant doubling the amount I had previously budgeted as well as committing my extra earnings towards clearing off this balance.
Happy to report that in two months of once and for all deciding to clear it all up, I did it. Funnily enough during this time frame the bank offered me a pre approved loan as well as a second credit card. I tried desperately not to laugh at the teller as he made his sales pitch. Little did he know that I was once behind the counter and made the same pitch to unenlightened (not sure if that's a word) customers. Fortunately for me I had years of experience to draw from and knew that the only way to end the cycle is to end the cycle.
If you're struggling with credit card debt my advise to you is to get out as soon as you can. This may mean getting a part time job or simply bootstrapping your weekly/monthly budget and squeezing the very last drop out of it. This may mean no drinks with friends or a few other frills for a while but trust me when I say it'll be worth it.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The Art of Gratitude
The art of gratitude knows no magnitude.
Within the last 24hrs I've been retaught the lesson of gratitude twice. On the first occasion I encountered a well off family hosting a birthday party for their 10 year old daughter. I was taken a back as to how insistent the father was with his daughters manners. Given that the family could've bought the establishment without thinking twice reminded me that money isn't everything.
On the second occasion it occurred to me how influential a coworker was in assisting me with the completion of a task. It dawned on me afterwards that I needed to say "thank you". Realizing that so many men and women are committed to not only doing their jobs but doing it effectively is humbling.
My mind pondered on how many persons go through the day without saying thank you. We all go to work to make a living but how many of us receive any sort of appreciation for the services we render. How many of us instill in our children the importance of gratitude?
It can and probably will be said that your pay cheque at the end of the week/month is all some persons need. I however beg to differ. Saying thank you to a coworker/colleague for assisting you with a task or even for just showing up for work should make that person feel appreciated.
On any given day we make phone calls to get information and to make inquiries. Do we stop to tell the other person on the other end thanks for their time and letting them know how much their assistance is appreciated ? Do we thank our teachers for caring for our children while we're at work earning said living? Do we thank the crossing guard for ensuring their safety ? The list could go on and on with each person adding their own question to the mix.
It dawned on me that I should walk through my office building and thanking everyone for coming to work today. I wondered what their response would be. Luckily I got side tracked before submitting this blog post. The delay allowed me to encounter a coworker who was leaving work early for the day. I stuck out my hand and thanked her for coming in to work today and that I appreciated the effort she put in for the day. Sure enough she was puzzled and asked why I was thanking her for coming to work. I explained that I simply wanted to say thank you.
I encourage you to attempt the same wherever your place of work may be. Feel free to leave a comment with your experience.
Within the last 24hrs I've been retaught the lesson of gratitude twice. On the first occasion I encountered a well off family hosting a birthday party for their 10 year old daughter. I was taken a back as to how insistent the father was with his daughters manners. Given that the family could've bought the establishment without thinking twice reminded me that money isn't everything.
On the second occasion it occurred to me how influential a coworker was in assisting me with the completion of a task. It dawned on me afterwards that I needed to say "thank you". Realizing that so many men and women are committed to not only doing their jobs but doing it effectively is humbling.
My mind pondered on how many persons go through the day without saying thank you. We all go to work to make a living but how many of us receive any sort of appreciation for the services we render. How many of us instill in our children the importance of gratitude?
It can and probably will be said that your pay cheque at the end of the week/month is all some persons need. I however beg to differ. Saying thank you to a coworker/colleague for assisting you with a task or even for just showing up for work should make that person feel appreciated.
On any given day we make phone calls to get information and to make inquiries. Do we stop to tell the other person on the other end thanks for their time and letting them know how much their assistance is appreciated ? Do we thank our teachers for caring for our children while we're at work earning said living? Do we thank the crossing guard for ensuring their safety ? The list could go on and on with each person adding their own question to the mix.
It dawned on me that I should walk through my office building and thanking everyone for coming to work today. I wondered what their response would be. Luckily I got side tracked before submitting this blog post. The delay allowed me to encounter a coworker who was leaving work early for the day. I stuck out my hand and thanked her for coming in to work today and that I appreciated the effort she put in for the day. Sure enough she was puzzled and asked why I was thanking her for coming to work. I explained that I simply wanted to say thank you.
I encourage you to attempt the same wherever your place of work may be. Feel free to leave a comment with your experience.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Taking the Bus on an island
Taking the bus
Given the rising cost of gasoline and the fact that I drive a 19 year old SUV, ever so often I take the bus to work. Mind you I so t live in a metropolitan city like New York or Toronto but rather the small island of Antigua. There's no bus schedule or time table just routes and independent drivers who own their own buses. Growing up on the island you learn the schedule by knowing the time particular drivers pass your home during the morning rush hour. So if Donald (actual name of a driver) passes your street at 7:00 am and you're not there to catch him, you know you're already late.
The actual bus ride though is something else in entirety. Firstly if you don't greet everyone with the customary "good morning " you'll be considered rude and unmannerly. Add to that equation scores of children getting off at the various schools along your route and mothers with young babies in tow. Compound that with teenagers playing dancehall music from a device at the loudest volume. And you have the unique experience that is catching the bus on an island. Not to mention. That you might be asked to hold said baby while mother helps her older child across the street. Or that you naught be the one to cross the street with said child. God forbid the driver has to stop for breakfast along the way. Regardless to say that whatever the scenario your trip will be one of a kind. The experience of rubbing shoulders with your kinfolk as they too journey to work to make a living is indeed a humbling feeling. The journey home in the evening is just as humble. You see mothers with babies strewn across their laps, construction workers nodding on the window panes as this is the first time they've truly rested since waking up at the crack of dawn. At the end of another day you ride side by side those who've kept the wheels of production turning for another day here in paradise.
Given the rising cost of gasoline and the fact that I drive a 19 year old SUV, ever so often I take the bus to work. Mind you I so t live in a metropolitan city like New York or Toronto but rather the small island of Antigua. There's no bus schedule or time table just routes and independent drivers who own their own buses. Growing up on the island you learn the schedule by knowing the time particular drivers pass your home during the morning rush hour. So if Donald (actual name of a driver) passes your street at 7:00 am and you're not there to catch him, you know you're already late.
The actual bus ride though is something else in entirety. Firstly if you don't greet everyone with the customary "good morning " you'll be considered rude and unmannerly. Add to that equation scores of children getting off at the various schools along your route and mothers with young babies in tow. Compound that with teenagers playing dancehall music from a device at the loudest volume. And you have the unique experience that is catching the bus on an island. Not to mention. That you might be asked to hold said baby while mother helps her older child across the street. Or that you naught be the one to cross the street with said child. God forbid the driver has to stop for breakfast along the way. Regardless to say that whatever the scenario your trip will be one of a kind. The experience of rubbing shoulders with your kinfolk as they too journey to work to make a living is indeed a humbling feeling. The journey home in the evening is just as humble. You see mothers with babies strewn across their laps, construction workers nodding on the window panes as this is the first time they've truly rested since waking up at the crack of dawn. At the end of another day you ride side by side those who've kept the wheels of production turning for another day here in paradise.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
30 days
30 days from now I would've crossed the stage as a graduate of Humber College. I would've achieved my life long goal of attaining a degree in Human Resources Management. So why do I feel like I haven't accomplished anything ? Truth be told I haven't really accomplished anything. In the years (6 to be exact) succeeding graduating with a BSc in Psychology I have yet to be free of the debt for pursuing that course. Now fast forward I'm more accomplished but less fulfilled. I won't rehash my money woes as that was covered in the piece "losing focus". It's a bittersweet feeling to be honest but honestly more bitter than sweet. So though I will once again cross the stage as a graduate, I am still humbly a student of life. The lessons that we fail to learn are learnt the hard way.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Losing Focus
A lot can happen when you lose focus. 10 years ago I was focused, I was gonna go to university get a degree come home get a job pay it back in 5 years and then move to Canada. I did move back home, I did get a job, I did move to Canada but I didn't pay back my student loans. Why? Because I lost focus. My first year was quiet. I went to church I joined the master guides, I went camping, youth retreats, blitz, I did all of it. But in my second year I lost focus. I figured that since I was getting good grades and had money to spend (banks money) that I could afford to drink, party, and just have a good time. By God's grace I graduated with honors and came home. At first I was working at the bank again but I knew that wasn't my final destination. I became a probation officer and learnt the ins and outs of the justice system. I was making ten times the amount I was making at my first job as a tour guide and I was on cloud 10. I thought the world was at my feet. My master plan was to as I said before was to pay off my debt and move to Canada but I never wrote I down, I never made an action plan I never truly committed to my plan and there in laid my demise. Once girls entered the equation that was it. One girl in particular who was my main inspiration for moving to Canada came into my life but the timing wasn't right. What should've been a moment in time turned out to be a season of hurt. Mainly because I was still hurting. So as much as the pipe dream was alive, I lacked the fortitude to realize that long term I had nothing to offer simply because I hadn't planned what was gonna really take place after I go there. The lesson I'm learning now is that planning and execution are more important than having dreams. Anyone can have dreams but not everyone can achieve them. For me I have achieved some while failing at others. At age 30 I have a bachelors degree in psychology and a post graduate diploma in Human Resources Management as well as a certified human resources professional. But with all that I have moments where I feel like a failure for racking up credit card debt and student loans that could've been repaid by now. Now at age 30 I'm starting over again. The next 10 years of my life will definitely be interesting as I try to figure out where to go from here. My advice to anyone trying to accomplish anything is to stay focused. Distractions are gonna come and they're going to be lots of them but remain focus. Write your goals down and plan to execute them one phase at a time. You might be the odd one out not going out on a Saturday night with your friends but trust me when I say it'll be worth it. Your long term pay off will be much greater than anything short lived, trust me I've been there. A lot can happen when you lose focus but great things can happen once you achieve it.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Thank God Its Sunday
Dr. Eric Thomas has a feature video on his website every Monday entitled Thank God Its Monday. I'm guessing its because most people dread Mondays and need that extra push to get them through the day in a positive way. After listening to a few of his videos and listening a few interviews he has done, I can identify with what he's been saying about passion and trusting the process. This morning I woke up bursting with energy, my heart was going 1,000 miles an hour and my mind going 10,000 miles an hour. I just want to live, but I want to do it in the best way possible, surrounded by the best people possible for as long as possible. So today I am thanking God that it is Sunday. The day before Monday where I can get my thoughts together and plan for the week ahead. So to everyone who needs that push, that extra bit of encouragement that extra drop of greatness, I advise you to look within. To dig deep down inside and find what it is that you're really searching for and who it is that you really are. It won't be easy but like E.T. said, you have to "trust the process". If you need more inspiration/insight/information check out ET's website http://etinspires.com/ I'm sure you'll find something there to help you get out of whatever situation you may currently be in.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Now that I'm 30
Two years ago I wrote a blog post about entitled "before i turn 30". Reading it now I realized that I had no clue what was going to happen but knew that it was gonna happen whether or not I was prepared. And oh was I not prepared. Although I achieved what I hoped to have achieved academically by age 30, I was still lacking in some very important areas, namely finances, relationships and goal setting. Sadly all 3 are intertwined and failing at one meant failing at all. Now 4 months into 30 and I can honestly say that I miss my 20s. I miss the days of reckless spending, frivolous living and all around bad choices. But do I really? Do I really miss the nights I can hardly remember and the mornings I hope to forget? That's gonna be a NO. Now that I;m 30 I can honestly say that life has come full circle. I have come face to face with the issues that I have been running from for the past 10 years. Though I have accomplished a lot academically in the last decade of my life, I have failed where proper planning and execution are concerned. Turning 30 made me realize that my wing it days are not sufficient when it comes to life and preparing to take on a life partner, start a family and own a home. I just am not ready. Sad as it may sound I masterminded my own demise but not being more pragmatic about my future. And now at ground zero, I have nowhere to go but up. No one to fall back on but myself and no one to be accountable to but myself. So what am I going to do? Turn it around of course. The way I see it I have 3 years to get it together. Three years to pay off my debts, 3 years to get in better shape; mentally,physically,and emotionally. Can it be done? Yes! Will it be done? Yes! How will I get it done? Metrics. What are metrics, a method of measuring something, or the results obtained from this. Simply put I need to measure my output as it relates to my finances, my health, my thoughts and set SMART goals. So here goes
Financial Goals
1. Pay off credit card by June 30th 2016
2. Save $5,000 by December 2016 to pay towards student loan/ invest in a small business.
Health Goals
1. Work out for 15 minutes every morning.
2. Run 10 miles a month for May 2016
Personal Goals
1. Write and Schedule 3 blog posts per week for the remainder of 2016
2. Write and schedule 3 weekly Facebook posts for the 3 social media accounts that I manage.
By writing these down, I will hold myself accountable and will ask anyone who reads this to hold me accountable as well. The time for change has come and gone, its now the time for action.
P.S. Scroll through my previous posts for the blog post entitled "Before I'm 30".
Financial Goals
1. Pay off credit card by June 30th 2016
2. Save $5,000 by December 2016 to pay towards student loan/ invest in a small business.
Health Goals
1. Work out for 15 minutes every morning.
2. Run 10 miles a month for May 2016
Personal Goals
1. Write and Schedule 3 blog posts per week for the remainder of 2016
2. Write and schedule 3 weekly Facebook posts for the 3 social media accounts that I manage.
By writing these down, I will hold myself accountable and will ask anyone who reads this to hold me accountable as well. The time for change has come and gone, its now the time for action.
P.S. Scroll through my previous posts for the blog post entitled "Before I'm 30".
Friday, October 10, 2014
Seven people you always want to tip
1. Your gardener: there's no doubting that it's back breaking work trying to get your hedges in tip top shape so why not show a little more gratitude for a job well done.
2. Your mechanic: Though you may have developed a good relationship over the years it's always good to keep your car guy happy, you never know when you'll be stranded on the road after midnight.
3. Your babysitter: Let's be honest kids are a handful, whether its a toddler or a teenager the struggle to keep up and keep in line are very real. Let your sitter know he/she is truly appreciated. You might just need them in a pinch when you have a hot date.
4. Your waiter/waitress: If you're a regular at your favourite eatery there's nothing wrong with letting your favorite server know that you appreciate the service they render. You never know when you'll need to skip the long lines at dinner/lunch or when they'll score you an extra side or two on the house.
5. Your barber/hairdresser: Let's admit it we all like to look, smell and feel good and there's nothing that boosts your confidence like a fresh cut or a new do. Walking out the barbershop/hairdresser felling like a million bucks is tantamount to winning the lottery so show the love where its due.
6. Your tailor: unless you have a typical body frame you'll need some help to get that dress/jeans/suit to fit like a glove. These people can work wonders with a scissors and a sewing kit so don't be afraid to make these material magicians feel appreciated.
7. Your tire repair guy: if you live on an island like I do getting a flat on your way to work is just as easy as getting one on your way home from work. Either way it's the last thing you want to deal with at the time. Hopefully you have a spare and can make it to the tire repair shop. Luckily with the increase of imported cars in Antigua the tire repair industry here in Antigua is booming. If there's a regular spot that you patronize no harm in slipping him an extra five to show your appreciation.
At the end of the day good service is good service and when you come across someone who embraces that mantra feel free to show your appreciation.
Written by Shawn N. Maile
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Before I'm 30
Life seemed so much easier during childhood. I saw my parents coming and going to and from work with what I thought was little effort on their part.I paid no attention to the gravity of the situation that was my life as at the time ignorance was most definitely bliss. I had no inclination as to what it took to survive in the real world as my duties were eat,sleep, school repeat.
Now my childhood is gone and I realize that the mother and father I once idolized were mere mortals. Born with a flaw that my childish eyes could never have detected. But alas I have come to know life for what it is, "the sum of my choices". I thank them for some they've made and wonder about those they didn't.
At 28 I find myself on a constant soul searching mission, desperately trying to figure it all out. Some days the answer seems all to clear:get an education, get a job and get married THE END. Other days it's just not that simple. On the days I seem to have it all figured out, all is at peace but on the days when nothing goes according to plan all hell breaketh loose. If I'm honest though I've made some mistakes along the way. Some laughable some not. Some that will take a life time to repay, others that will be forgotten in a day.
Now at 28 my journey into adulthood continues. The choices I've made and failed to make have brought me to this junction. There is no clear path forward but before I turn 30 I sure would like to figure some of it out.
Now my childhood is gone and I realize that the mother and father I once idolized were mere mortals. Born with a flaw that my childish eyes could never have detected. But alas I have come to know life for what it is, "the sum of my choices". I thank them for some they've made and wonder about those they didn't.
At 28 I find myself on a constant soul searching mission, desperately trying to figure it all out. Some days the answer seems all to clear:get an education, get a job and get married THE END. Other days it's just not that simple. On the days I seem to have it all figured out, all is at peace but on the days when nothing goes according to plan all hell breaketh loose. If I'm honest though I've made some mistakes along the way. Some laughable some not. Some that will take a life time to repay, others that will be forgotten in a day.
Now at 28 my journey into adulthood continues. The choices I've made and failed to make have brought me to this junction. There is no clear path forward but before I turn 30 I sure would like to figure some of it out.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
OFF THE GRID
Every now and then we all need some time alone. Some time with just you and your thoughts. No cell phone, no tablet, no internet, just you and nature. Anyone who works in the social services sector knows that in any given day your day can go from 0-160 and stay there till the end of the day. All that being said, I had to unplug from the matrix. So I packed my hiking bag (Western Pack) laced up my Puma’s and took off on my off the grid adventure.
Instead of taking the usual path to the top of Monks Hill I decided to take a path we used to take as children growing up in Falmouth. What I didn’t know was that this area was now over grown and literally a jungle to get through, but determined as I was I pressed forward. I left home at 5:05 and by 5:15 I had scaled a fence and pushed through more stinny nectle^ than I ever had in my life. By 5:25 I had climbed a huge boulder and made my way through the rest of the bushes. As I started my climb up the hill I realized that my chest was heaving and hoeing like I was running from the police. Looking back and seeing the sun setting off to the west caused me to take a moment to take in the sights and snap a few pics. I picked up the trail to the plateau but again decided to go in a direction that I hadn’t taken in a long time. I ducked under a few fallen trees and was making progress. A turtle dove caught my eye off to the right of the path and I paused for a few to enjoy nature at its best. I’ve never really been one for bird watching but just standing there watching this creature in its element was calming.
I made a path up the side of a cliff and stumbled upon a few tombstones. I figured this must have been the burial ground I had heard so much about as a child but couldn’t recall if I had seen it before or not. I snapped a few pictures of these soldiers as they slept and kept on moving. It was a bit ironic coming across some “jumby”* beads after passing through a graveyard not moments earlier.
Ten minutes later and I had arrived at my destination. Monks Hill. From this spot I could see all of Falmouth, Cobbs Cross, and parts of English Harbour and Picadilly. Falmouth Harbor lay before me with its entire splendor. A few boats were docked in the harbor while some sailed around no doubt to the enjoyment of those aboard.
My sunlight was fading so I struck my tent. It took me all of five minutes. I laid out the contents of my bag; sleeping bag, two bottles water, two cups yogurt, a cheese sandwich, sweat pants, hoodie, video camera, pen, paper and David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.
Now that I had “unpacked”, I proceeded to watch the sunset. As I sat there thinking of nothing and everything at the same time, two thoughts came to mind; this is probably how the scene from the Bible looked when Jesus was tempted by the devil having him look down on the city below him and offering it to him. My next thought was “I must be out my mind”. I sat enjoying the ambiance until the sun was way behind the hills. I brought no flashlight so had to resort to my camera light as my reading light.
I dozed in and out of sleep for the next four hours, waking up every four to eight minutes to check the time. Guess your body needs time to adjust when you’re sleeping in the middle of nowhere. By 1 am I was up and about. Took a bathroom break and stayed outside for a bit enjoying the midnight breeze and embracing my solitude. I lay with my head outside the tent staring up at the moon hiding behind the cloud filled skies. Wondering how the universe was conspiring for and against me in its grand scheme of things. After a bit of light reading to set me back to sleep, I began to feel like I was right where I should be.
I was surprised that the sun wasn’t out in its entire splendor by 5:00AM. If the sun wasn’t up then why should I be? After all it was Sunday on an island, so I took another forty winks until 6:30. I sat on the cliff facing east and watched a herd of goats making their way down the hillside. I was so caught up in their movements that I didn’t realize the sun was rising. I caught it as it left the horizon in all its golden yellow majesty. The warmth I felt on the outside did not compare to that on the inside. I had been thinking of this adventure for quite a while now. It was good to finally have it as something I did rather than something I wanted to do.
^stinny nectle is the island equivalent to poison iv.
*jumby is the island equivalent of zombies.
Instead of taking the usual path to the top of Monks Hill I decided to take a path we used to take as children growing up in Falmouth. What I didn’t know was that this area was now over grown and literally a jungle to get through, but determined as I was I pressed forward. I left home at 5:05 and by 5:15 I had scaled a fence and pushed through more stinny nectle^ than I ever had in my life. By 5:25 I had climbed a huge boulder and made my way through the rest of the bushes. As I started my climb up the hill I realized that my chest was heaving and hoeing like I was running from the police. Looking back and seeing the sun setting off to the west caused me to take a moment to take in the sights and snap a few pics. I picked up the trail to the plateau but again decided to go in a direction that I hadn’t taken in a long time. I ducked under a few fallen trees and was making progress. A turtle dove caught my eye off to the right of the path and I paused for a few to enjoy nature at its best. I’ve never really been one for bird watching but just standing there watching this creature in its element was calming.
I made a path up the side of a cliff and stumbled upon a few tombstones. I figured this must have been the burial ground I had heard so much about as a child but couldn’t recall if I had seen it before or not. I snapped a few pictures of these soldiers as they slept and kept on moving. It was a bit ironic coming across some “jumby”* beads after passing through a graveyard not moments earlier.
Ten minutes later and I had arrived at my destination. Monks Hill. From this spot I could see all of Falmouth, Cobbs Cross, and parts of English Harbour and Picadilly. Falmouth Harbor lay before me with its entire splendor. A few boats were docked in the harbor while some sailed around no doubt to the enjoyment of those aboard.
My sunlight was fading so I struck my tent. It took me all of five minutes. I laid out the contents of my bag; sleeping bag, two bottles water, two cups yogurt, a cheese sandwich, sweat pants, hoodie, video camera, pen, paper and David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.
Now that I had “unpacked”, I proceeded to watch the sunset. As I sat there thinking of nothing and everything at the same time, two thoughts came to mind; this is probably how the scene from the Bible looked when Jesus was tempted by the devil having him look down on the city below him and offering it to him. My next thought was “I must be out my mind”. I sat enjoying the ambiance until the sun was way behind the hills. I brought no flashlight so had to resort to my camera light as my reading light.
I dozed in and out of sleep for the next four hours, waking up every four to eight minutes to check the time. Guess your body needs time to adjust when you’re sleeping in the middle of nowhere. By 1 am I was up and about. Took a bathroom break and stayed outside for a bit enjoying the midnight breeze and embracing my solitude. I lay with my head outside the tent staring up at the moon hiding behind the cloud filled skies. Wondering how the universe was conspiring for and against me in its grand scheme of things. After a bit of light reading to set me back to sleep, I began to feel like I was right where I should be.
I was surprised that the sun wasn’t out in its entire splendor by 5:00AM. If the sun wasn’t up then why should I be? After all it was Sunday on an island, so I took another forty winks until 6:30. I sat on the cliff facing east and watched a herd of goats making their way down the hillside. I was so caught up in their movements that I didn’t realize the sun was rising. I caught it as it left the horizon in all its golden yellow majesty. The warmth I felt on the outside did not compare to that on the inside. I had been thinking of this adventure for quite a while now. It was good to finally have it as something I did rather than something I wanted to do.
^stinny nectle is the island equivalent to poison iv.
*jumby is the island equivalent of zombies.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Change A Millennial Perspective
The one thing that excites me about being a millennial is the same thing that scares me. That is…change. The concept in itself is not a new one but has been around from creation or evolution depending on your outlook on life (I believe in the former) but the speed at which it occurs or seems to be occurring is both frightening and exciting. Though still a child while my parents were coming to age (obviously) the world seemed to have taken a slower pace in the way things were orchestrated. Presently though before you can construct a proper tweet or instagram upload, the stoplight is changing (#firstworldtechnology problems). It all appears to be happening so quickly that before you have grasped the concept of the tipping point Malcolm Gladwell is coming up with something new …Elite Institution Cognitive Disorder…..) At the same time before you can finish your coffee in the morning Dr. Oz is telling you why coffee is bad for you and why the pants you’re wearing will reduce your chance of having children, or why ginger is the new super fruit but two weeks ago it was garlic and the week before that kale… all before walking out your front door.
What intrigues me though is how all this ties into our jobs and how we make a living. As fast as you land a job after graduating (fast here being relative as for some persons 9 months may be pretty quick while 9 days seems like eternity for others), you see the headlines flashing “10 ways to increase your productivity at work”. Before you have a name plate or have established your place in the proverbial food chain, you’re already being bombarded with ways to improve before having even set a standard. For those (self included) who have started the journey and making the “almighty dollar” (could be mightier if you ask me) you begin asking yourself; what am I doing? How can I do it better? Should I do it better? How long before I’m promoted? And most importantly why do we do things the same way just because that’s the way we met them being done and no one ever asked the question why?
For my generation, being stuck between a younger generation that is changing at the speed of light and behind a generation just waiting to retire is by all means intellectual and motivational purgatory. I speak not of the developing world as I imagine their plight to be much different than ours in the Caribbean. I do speak of being raised in an era where pen and pencil were the way of life and human interaction took place without middlemen (i.e. laptops, tablets, smart phones etc.). Here I had the distinct impression that this was going to be the way of life until the end of life. But all this changed so suddenly it’s as if you woke up using ios6 not realizing ios7 has been launched and already running for 24 hrs while you took a 1 hr nap. Now you’re plugged into the matrix trying to learn the basics. But we do what we must cause ours is a generation of thrust. We will and must go forward at any cost. Though we have come to enjoy the peace and tranquility of our forefather’s way of life, the current demand for change keeps us motivated. As your boss will accept nothing short of blood for not seeing that BBM was vastly becoming antiquated, so will they accept nothing less than constant innovation. Whether it’s in the way algebra is taught or mosquitoes are caught (those handheld zappers pack a mean punch) what they thrive on is what we must provide, and today that thing is change.
Hopefully by then pigs will actually be able to fly and we will have a chance to say like generations before us, we did it! Not for us, but for you.
What intrigues me though is how all this ties into our jobs and how we make a living. As fast as you land a job after graduating (fast here being relative as for some persons 9 months may be pretty quick while 9 days seems like eternity for others), you see the headlines flashing “10 ways to increase your productivity at work”. Before you have a name plate or have established your place in the proverbial food chain, you’re already being bombarded with ways to improve before having even set a standard. For those (self included) who have started the journey and making the “almighty dollar” (could be mightier if you ask me) you begin asking yourself; what am I doing? How can I do it better? Should I do it better? How long before I’m promoted? And most importantly why do we do things the same way just because that’s the way we met them being done and no one ever asked the question why?
For my generation, being stuck between a younger generation that is changing at the speed of light and behind a generation just waiting to retire is by all means intellectual and motivational purgatory. I speak not of the developing world as I imagine their plight to be much different than ours in the Caribbean. I do speak of being raised in an era where pen and pencil were the way of life and human interaction took place without middlemen (i.e. laptops, tablets, smart phones etc.). Here I had the distinct impression that this was going to be the way of life until the end of life. But all this changed so suddenly it’s as if you woke up using ios6 not realizing ios7 has been launched and already running for 24 hrs while you took a 1 hr nap. Now you’re plugged into the matrix trying to learn the basics. But we do what we must cause ours is a generation of thrust. We will and must go forward at any cost. Though we have come to enjoy the peace and tranquility of our forefather’s way of life, the current demand for change keeps us motivated. As your boss will accept nothing short of blood for not seeing that BBM was vastly becoming antiquated, so will they accept nothing less than constant innovation. Whether it’s in the way algebra is taught or mosquitoes are caught (those handheld zappers pack a mean punch) what they thrive on is what we must provide, and today that thing is change.
Hopefully by then pigs will actually be able to fly and we will have a chance to say like generations before us, we did it! Not for us, but for you.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
T Dot
Though I’m not the jet setting backpacking hitchhiking traveler I wake up wishing I was on the weekends, I have been to a few places on the map…(stress the few). One such place was Toronto last spring, though it wasn’t quite spring as the temperature barely nudged over the double figures and was even down to the minus figures during the evenings. Most people dubbed her as the ex girlfriend who refused to leave. Despite such I had a chance to see firsthand what this amazing city had to offer.
Weather
Being born and raised on an island means that “I an I rasta no kustom to dem kinda tepatres same way so I man haffu bungle up and kep warm” translation: whereas persons from the great white north are accustomed to their climate, I on the other hand was very much clad in scarf, jacket, hat and gloves where as my counterparts were chilling in sweat pants and a hoodies. For no other reason than Mother Nature being her usual by her own book self, the picnic weather never materialized as I had hoped. When it did warm up though, it was nice to be outdoors taking in the sights.
Tourist Stuff
Being that I was a “tourist” I did what most persons do when they visit Canada/Toronto, go to Niagara Falls. At this time of the year though I would not advise it as the Niagara area was even colder than Toronto and though many persons were getting away for the holiday weekend, not many were posing for pictures around the falls as it was semi-frozen and extremely cold. The change of scenery was definitely welcomed and embraced. Despite the Maid of the Mist and the behind the falls attractions being closed the Niagara area has numerous activities to enjoy. A dinosaur park for the kids, Dave & Busters, Nightmares Fare Factory and a host of other arcades, haunted houses and novelty shops to say the least.
If you are visiting Toronto though and you have the time to spare I would also recommend taking a trip to Montreal. The four (4) train ride via VIARAIL gives you a chance to view the wide open planes of the countryside. Montreal though is quite different to Toronto. You can almost distinctly pick out the tourists (I) from the locals. I would want to believe that 99% of the population is bilingual with French being their more preferred language. Store attendants and other service personnel greet you in both forms and respond based on your response. Me making the mistake of merely saying hello in French lead to the attendant rattling on as if I had any clue as to what she was saying. A lesson learn I told myself.
Old Montreal also has a quainter, old fashion British feel to it with brick buildings and a town square as well as alley ways with small restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s as if I were in a museum or walking back in time to the 18th century. If you’ve got the time there are horse drawn carriage rides where you get a brief history lesson from your driver. It was as the French would say “magnifique”.
Food & Shopping
For those looking to “shop it up” as my girlfriend describes it, you will have more than your share of stores and brand names to choose from. Between The Bay and Eaton Center in downtown Toronto you can find just about everything for your closet and beyond. Yorkdale and Vaughn Mills malls are also pretty extensive in their store front offerings. Smaller malls like Woodbine and Albion also offer good bargain opportunities as well. Major names like Sears and Wal-Mart are well represented though Target is just opening up shop so to speak. So if you have a passion for fashion and shopping you’ll have your fill once you can pay the bill.
Being a recovering fat kid (honorary member of fat kids anonymous) I’m always on the lookout for good food. A few items stick out on my list from the places my fellow connoisseur and I dined at. Most notably was the macaroni pie at the Gabardine restaurant in the financial district (http://www.thegabardine.com/). We Caribbean people have a thing for macaroni pie in case you might not have known. No wedding, funeral, birthday party, christening, church lunch, Christmas dinner, New Year’s dinner, BBQ, or beach picnic is complete without it. As such the chef at the Gabardine would make himself a small fortune if he were to move to the islands.
Grazzie’s Italian restaurant is also worthy of notable mention as their pasta dishes are delightful. I recommend getting there a few minutes before you’re actually hungry as there always seems to be a waiting line ( a sign of good food no doubt). Reuben’s and Schwartz’s in Montreal were also quite pleasing to my palate. The smoked meat Schwartz’s is apparently quite legendary as there were emails on their walls from persons requesting their product from as far as Australia.
The Kensington Market area off Queen Street is a unique a village I have witnessed in a city setting. Eclectic would be too easy of an adjective to use to describe this area.The "homey" feel that it has to it may be because many of the homes are now stores that offer a wide variety of items, trinkets, fiddles and diddles etc. If you like to go off the unbeaten path, then this is definitely your neck of the woods. Be sure to get some Kimchi fries from Banh Mi Boys, they are ah-wait for it - mazing.
All in all my first adventure was indeed a great one and I am definitely looking forward to the second and third etc…
Sunday, February 24, 2013
THE RUNNER
Eyes open. Mind awakened. Dreams of yesterday become goals of today. Greatness empowered by strength, determination and a resolve that knows no bounds. As with the day before he laces up not merely shoes but conduits to the future he dreams of. Determined to out run his dreaded past and leap sole first into the future.
He races towards the rising sun determined to reach the ocean before the sun breaks the morning sky. Heart pounding, feet drilling into the pavement. Inch by inch he nears his destiny. Racing against time, chance and the unmotivated self that befalls all manner of men. Sweat burns his eyes as he digs deep to his core to spark the fire that burns within. The open road is his sanctuary, darkness his canvas and silences his fortitude. The morning air is cold and thick. Glimpses of the sun rising beyond the horizon push him forward. With each stride muscles awaken as cells die and are reborn. The machine that is his body comes alive like a vessel in flight. His mind is focused, his body seamless as the deep blue sea. His thoughts focused on the day at hand. Mountains to conquer. Battles to win as the war wages on. Every step forward is a moment closer to the reality where he breaks free from the mundane and embraces the exceptional idealism. In his eyes he is a work in progress that strives each day to be better and better until the dream is realized. Some call him driven but to others he is the runner.
By: Shawn Maile
He races towards the rising sun determined to reach the ocean before the sun breaks the morning sky. Heart pounding, feet drilling into the pavement. Inch by inch he nears his destiny. Racing against time, chance and the unmotivated self that befalls all manner of men. Sweat burns his eyes as he digs deep to his core to spark the fire that burns within. The open road is his sanctuary, darkness his canvas and silences his fortitude. The morning air is cold and thick. Glimpses of the sun rising beyond the horizon push him forward. With each stride muscles awaken as cells die and are reborn. The machine that is his body comes alive like a vessel in flight. His mind is focused, his body seamless as the deep blue sea. His thoughts focused on the day at hand. Mountains to conquer. Battles to win as the war wages on. Every step forward is a moment closer to the reality where he breaks free from the mundane and embraces the exceptional idealism. In his eyes he is a work in progress that strives each day to be better and better until the dream is realized. Some call him driven but to others he is the runner.
By: Shawn Maile
Friday, February 15, 2013
Manners Maketh A Man
My first blog post for the year comes two months in. Hopefully everyone made it through January (longest month ever after getting paid in December) safely and have now settled into February quite nicely. For those who have resolved to make changes in their lives, hats off to you. For those who have not, hats off to you too.
This post was inspired last Saturday afternoon while I was picking up my cousins classmate for them to go hang out. While he was getting in I heard his mom says “John” (not his real name)”yes mom”, “ do you have everything you need in life?’. At this time I looked over at my aunt who looked back at this 11 year old kid with the same blank expression I had. His mother then said without missing a beat “manners and clean underwear”.
Well this made my day as we all couldn’t help but laugh. Strangely enough though his mother was more stern than amused. It got me thinking that not many parents in today’s society enforce the value of good manners on their children. Though light hearted the moment may have been, the seriousness of it was definitely loud and clear. In my day and age I could not go a day in school without hearing one of my teachers repeat the adage “Manners maketh a man”. Of course at per-teenage years such sayings meant little or nothing. It was only until entering the world of work I realized how far your repertoire of pleasantries and “manners” can carry you. Whereas skill, knowledge and networking might get you in the door, other factors like agreeableness, personality and positive work ethic might keep you there and help you to excel.
So for 2013, when heading out to the wonderful world of work, be sure not to forget your manners or more so your clean underwear.
This post was inspired last Saturday afternoon while I was picking up my cousins classmate for them to go hang out. While he was getting in I heard his mom says “John” (not his real name)”yes mom”, “ do you have everything you need in life?’. At this time I looked over at my aunt who looked back at this 11 year old kid with the same blank expression I had. His mother then said without missing a beat “manners and clean underwear”.
Well this made my day as we all couldn’t help but laugh. Strangely enough though his mother was more stern than amused. It got me thinking that not many parents in today’s society enforce the value of good manners on their children. Though light hearted the moment may have been, the seriousness of it was definitely loud and clear. In my day and age I could not go a day in school without hearing one of my teachers repeat the adage “Manners maketh a man”. Of course at per-teenage years such sayings meant little or nothing. It was only until entering the world of work I realized how far your repertoire of pleasantries and “manners” can carry you. Whereas skill, knowledge and networking might get you in the door, other factors like agreeableness, personality and positive work ethic might keep you there and help you to excel.
So for 2013, when heading out to the wonderful world of work, be sure not to forget your manners or more so your clean underwear.
Monday, September 24, 2012
NINE MONTHS LATER...
So it’s NINE months into 2012 and if you’re like most people (myself included) your probably wondering where the year went. New Years and summer have come and gone and now that the children are back out to school you might be wondering where your year went. Now I am almost certain that we all made some sort of resolution (s) at the beginning of the year that we were very excited to dive into. Some of us may have gotten the ball rolling on the weight loss/better health campaign while others may still be waiting to get off the couch. Whatever the case is the more you delay embracing a healthier lifestyle the more effort you’ll have to put in as you get older.
For the number crunchers who have counted their pennies down to the dollar and have stuck to their rigorous budgets and saving schemes, I say hat’s off to you my friends (and don’t forget to buy me a gift at Christmas either) because many of us (guilty again) may have started and fallen off along the way. Planning ahead is always good but there are just some days when you just can’t help but breaking your plans (and the bank). Luckily you still have three paychecks before Christmas to stash away some extra cash so you can get yourself something nice for the holidays. Just remember there are some things in life that money cannot buy and you’ll be fine.
For those who claimed this as the year to fall in love/get married/ start dating again/get out of a toxic relationship, I hope that you have found love in a hopeless place (shameless Rhiana plug). Whatever your situation may be just remember to take it one day at a time. If you are yet to stumble into your prince/princess, all hope is not lost. There are still three months left in the year and if you need some quick pointers I suggest watching Hitch and Act Like a Man Think Like a Woman, if not bringing you closer to your soul mate they are bound to make you laugh.
If you decided to get back in the classroom to keep up to date with what’s taking place in the world, then you’re in a good position. Though education is expensive (understatement of the millennium) it is also fulfilling. Everyone should know that majority of the things you will learn in college/university will be outside of the classroom. Your teachers and lecturers are there to guide you along the path to self discovery. Being alone with your thoughts and arriving at conclusions on your own account will open your mind and let you see the world in a different light all together.
If your journey is a spiritual one then I pray that you would have found peace and comfort in your daily devotions. This is by no means a simple task and one that will definitely have an impact on all other aspects of your life regardless of the path you are choosing to follow.
Whatever your journey so far I wish for you all the success 2012 has to offer. Nine months ago we were pregnant with hope, love, faith and a bright eyed enthusiasm that could rival a teenager getting his/her driver’s license/first kiss. Now it’s time to give birth to a reality that change is going to come whether or not you are prepared for it. The good news is you have 98 more days to make a last effort to make good on those New Year’s resolutions.
Friday, July 27, 2012
The White Man’s Dollar
A friend of mine shared this piece with me sometime last week. It was intriguing to say the least and I pondered for a few days whether or not I should post on my blog. I tracked down the writer of this piece to seek permission to have this piece posted on my blog. Though they consented it was asked that their identity be kept secret. As such I am inclined to obliged and present to you
The White Man’s Dollar
I stand before you today to speak to you on the topic, ‘ The white man’s dollar’. It is not that I am prejudiced or racist in anyway but it is the white man who brings in the most revenue into my little Antigua. It was the same white man who held us in bondage and had us work to make him rich. It is the same white man whom we now work to attract back to us so that we can now make ourselves rich. The world has gone full circle but the white man still remains on top.
But it doesn’t end there. The same white man brings with him not only his dollar but also his whitewashed morals and culture. We’ve adopted his ways in every aspect of life. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. At what price? The white man’s dollar.
What makes us think that to attract him here that we must become like him? This sort of thinking must stop before we loose ourselves. He doesn’t seek the same environment in which he left but instead he seeks peace from his turmoil, and the life void of morals that he left behind. He wants to come here and come first in contact with congeniality and hospitality because he knows that back home manners is something spoken of but not actually done. He wants to eat good wholesome food. Not the fake food he left behind which gave him his ulcers and his weight. He seeks the simple pleasures of nature. He wants to enjoy himself by the beach or on a nature walk not to be plagued by the cable TV blaring in his room or the rap music we might think to play in our restaurants. He wants to dance to the sweet sound of soca and reggae.
His wants don’t end there. He wants a unified people not a nation divided. He wants to see our community spirit alive and well. He wants to see a clean Antigua and Barbuda, not one with garbage-cluttered streets and foul smelling gutters. He wants to remember that animals exist outside of the supermarket, but not at the price of running a goat over on the highway. He doesn’t mind the potholes on the streets because he knows that where he comes from a huge chunk of his income must to go the preservation and building of roads. He doesn’t mind the street cricket that the children find to play; he might just stop, watch and even keep score. He wants to see the Caribbean not completely untouched by civilization but not swallowed up by it either. Can we indulge the white man in his simple fantasies? I think so.
Can we pull together and give him a good time when he comes. Can we show him a good celebration when carnival time comes around? Can we show him what clean fun is all about? Can we offer him fruit that hasn’t been blown up by hormones? Can we show him clean streets, unpolluted air and crystal clear waterways? Let him regret having putting our forefathers through slavery. Let us forgive him and take his money. Let us not overcharge but take his money with a smile. The world has indeed gone full circle. We the black people have come up with a way of getting our revenge without him knowing. We call it Tourism.
The White Man’s Dollar
I stand before you today to speak to you on the topic, ‘ The white man’s dollar’. It is not that I am prejudiced or racist in anyway but it is the white man who brings in the most revenue into my little Antigua. It was the same white man who held us in bondage and had us work to make him rich. It is the same white man whom we now work to attract back to us so that we can now make ourselves rich. The world has gone full circle but the white man still remains on top.
But it doesn’t end there. The same white man brings with him not only his dollar but also his whitewashed morals and culture. We’ve adopted his ways in every aspect of life. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. At what price? The white man’s dollar.
What makes us think that to attract him here that we must become like him? This sort of thinking must stop before we loose ourselves. He doesn’t seek the same environment in which he left but instead he seeks peace from his turmoil, and the life void of morals that he left behind. He wants to come here and come first in contact with congeniality and hospitality because he knows that back home manners is something spoken of but not actually done. He wants to eat good wholesome food. Not the fake food he left behind which gave him his ulcers and his weight. He seeks the simple pleasures of nature. He wants to enjoy himself by the beach or on a nature walk not to be plagued by the cable TV blaring in his room or the rap music we might think to play in our restaurants. He wants to dance to the sweet sound of soca and reggae.
His wants don’t end there. He wants a unified people not a nation divided. He wants to see our community spirit alive and well. He wants to see a clean Antigua and Barbuda, not one with garbage-cluttered streets and foul smelling gutters. He wants to remember that animals exist outside of the supermarket, but not at the price of running a goat over on the highway. He doesn’t mind the potholes on the streets because he knows that where he comes from a huge chunk of his income must to go the preservation and building of roads. He doesn’t mind the street cricket that the children find to play; he might just stop, watch and even keep score. He wants to see the Caribbean not completely untouched by civilization but not swallowed up by it either. Can we indulge the white man in his simple fantasies? I think so.
Can we pull together and give him a good time when he comes. Can we show him a good celebration when carnival time comes around? Can we show him what clean fun is all about? Can we offer him fruit that hasn’t been blown up by hormones? Can we show him clean streets, unpolluted air and crystal clear waterways? Let him regret having putting our forefathers through slavery. Let us forgive him and take his money. Let us not overcharge but take his money with a smile. The world has indeed gone full circle. We the black people have come up with a way of getting our revenge without him knowing. We call it Tourism.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Brief Moments of Insanity
So being that I had not written for a while. I was more than surprised when this poem literally jumped out of me a few moments ago. For those of you who write regularly you know what is like not to be inspired. We all hit that low spot one day or another. for some it can go on for months and years at end lending credence to the term "starving writer". Thankfully its not my main career but just a labour of love and as you will read in the word to follow, Love and I have our issues. Its a bit raw and sporadic but its my love and I love it.
This is not a ballad of a broken heart but the ballad of an open heart. A heart hoping to open the doors of love hoping to find you standing on the other side with the other half of my love. Cause if love had love, love would know that I'm in need of love. The kind of love that makes me bleed for love, the love that can't feed my love unless its me and you that's dying for love. Day in day out pining for love, spend time in the line on a Friday Payday waiting to withdraw some love. Writing blank cheques on the line of credit for love. Swiping love back and forth hoping they don't decline my love. Standing in the same spot twice hoping to catch a glimpse of your love. Saying the wrong things so you can correct my love. Working 8 hour weeks and 40 hour days just to afford your love. Staying up late at night so I don't have to dream of love. Cause if love only comes in my sleep then don't wake me up love cause I'll be sleeping next to you my love. And that's the kind of love that love gets when it loves me.
Brief moments of Insanity by Shawn Nastrodamus Maile
This is not a ballad of a broken heart but the ballad of an open heart. A heart hoping to open the doors of love hoping to find you standing on the other side with the other half of my love. Cause if love had love, love would know that I'm in need of love. The kind of love that makes me bleed for love, the love that can't feed my love unless its me and you that's dying for love. Day in day out pining for love, spend time in the line on a Friday Payday waiting to withdraw some love. Writing blank cheques on the line of credit for love. Swiping love back and forth hoping they don't decline my love. Standing in the same spot twice hoping to catch a glimpse of your love. Saying the wrong things so you can correct my love. Working 8 hour weeks and 40 hour days just to afford your love. Staying up late at night so I don't have to dream of love. Cause if love only comes in my sleep then don't wake me up love cause I'll be sleeping next to you my love. And that's the kind of love that love gets when it loves me.
Brief moments of Insanity by Shawn Nastrodamus Maile
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