Before you call me Ms. Scrooge, give me an opportunity; allow me to write a few lines to explain.   Please do not misunderstand my statements for I enjoy the holiday season, and I relish spending time with friends and loved ones during the holidays. My statements come from a caring and concerned heart; my feelings come from deep within my spirit as I painfully watch misguided value systems, low self-esteem, and internalized oppression make people think that gifts, trinkets or designer labels can soothe the emptiness that lingers in the depths of their souls.   

For most of us, it takes a long and sometimes-difficult journey before we realize that spiritual contentment brings inner peace. Personal empowerment comes not from the depth of one’s bank account, but from the condition of one’s spirit. Contrary to the feelings of some people, I believe that the caring and nurturing of one’s spirit does indeed matter, and in fact “the state of one’s spirit” contributes tremendously to one’s ability to find joy, achieve their desired level of personal success and most importantly to live soulfully.  

I was moved as I sat in a Caribbean Media Conference (CMEx) in Barbados several years ago, listening to now deceased former CNN news anchor Andria Hall tearfully share that all of the thousands of dollars she was being paid at the time were not enough to quench the spiritual thirst that she felt deep within.  Hall explained that peace came into her spirit the moment she began to honor a higher power, once she redefined her life, and only after she filled her spirit with positive thoughts and authentic people. Ms. Hall glowed as she shared that her tears were not coming from pain and despair, but represented a level of spiritual awakening that she wished everyone could enjoy.    Each of us, if we are to ever attain inner peace, we must answer a higher call to service and spiritual wholeness; we must learn to walk our own path to personal greatness in divine order.   So, as you think about the perfect gift for your friends and family this holiday season, or as you look for the perfect stocking stuffer, ponder some thought about giving gifts that inspire, encourage and give voice to the achievement of personal aspirations and dreams. Yes a diamond may be forever, but a gift that enables someone to carve out a path that meshes his or her personal passions with his or her talents will forever outshine the sparkle of that jewel.  Helping someone to feel valued, championing someone’s dream, words that inspire and other acts of thoughtfulness can help people treasure one of the greatest gifts there is, and that is the unique gift of self. 

 Look deep within and make a personal vow that during this holiday season and in the New Year you will strive to expand your thinking not just outside the box, but far beyond it, allowing your creative mind to consider limitless possibilities. Decide to challenge yourself, creatively use your talents and begin to live a fuller life that includes dusting off your innermost dreams, and persisting forward to the achievement of your true-life goals. Using your gifts and talents in service to others brings personal success always, but most of us give up when we meet the first bump in the road. Change your mindset this holiday season, because in the end A times A equals A (Attributes X Attitude equals Altitude), and we control the direction of our lives with the choices we make.    

  Give the ideal gift this holiday season; the gifts of self-awareness, self-growth, self-nurturing, self-encouragement, self-respect, self-love, self-forgiveness, self-definition; all essential spiritual seeds that sprout into the perfect gift, YOU

     Ponder with me some pearls of wisdom; words of wisdom that will make you stop, even if only momentarily and reflect.

     Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds! (The Genius of Bob Marley); Don’t think you’re on the right road just because it’s a well-beaten path, and most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions. (Author Unknown); Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. (Dr. Seuss) Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)  Before you can break out of prison, you must first realize you’re locked up.  (Author Unknown)

     One who walks in another’s tracks leaves no footprints. (Proverb) If everyone is thinking alike then somebody isn’t thinking. (George S. Patton)  If you want to look like the people next door, you’re probably smothering yourself and your dreams. (Clive Barker) If you don’t control your mind, someone else will.  (John Allston)
     There are countless Independence and Emancipation Days across the Caribbean region: like July 1st Emancipation Day in Dutch Antilles; July 1st Emancipation Day in Saint Eustatius (Netherland. Antilles); July 3 US Virgin Islands Emancipation Day; July 10th Bahamas Independence Day; August 1st Emancipation Day; August 6th Jamaica Independence Day; August 31st Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day; September 15th Nicaragua Independence Day; September 21st Belize Independence Day; November 30, Barbados Independence Day, just to name a few.

   Year after year emancipation celebrations are held all around theCaribbeanand its Diaspora, but one must ask, just what are all the festivities about; what great strides have been achieved as a result of this emancipation.  A cruise on or around any island ends up with the same impression, “beautiful sand and sea” but the overall development of the island and her people leaves much to be desired.

   With freedom comes responsibility, and through emancipation one should gain opportunities to discover potential and be afforded ways in which to manifest it. While some feel for too long all the focus has been on resort-building and not people-building, “the government” can not be blamed entirely for the people’s unwillingness to require that the public sector be more responsive to their needs; and “the government” can not be blamed for the people’s unwillingness to work and strive hard to make something of their lives. The government can be faulted if it has not put policies and programs in place to support and foster this human development, for human development is intricately linked to the economic growth of any country.

   Escalating crime, educational underachievement, frightening unemployment, poverty and societal dysfunction are all symptoms of a village in need of healing; and for that healing to occur; people of color across the Caribbean, in theUnited StatesandAfricamust reboot and clear their minds. Far too many of us are so laden with negativity, discouragement, the lack mentality and self-doubt that we are not able to begin to see all of the glorious possibilities that are ours to claim. Some of us have allowed setbacks, poor choices, past failures and disappointment to cause us to simply give up and instead give into the “dat-a-do,” attitude; meaning that you have chosen to simply settle for whatever crumbs you can get and be satisfied, you have decided that will do, enough said and done.

     Our minds are much like the mother board of a computer, when functioning properly and not cluttered with junk, the machine is able to perform commands with high levels of proficiency. But when the motherboard has become corrupted, the performance diminishes until in some cases the computer crashes. That is what has happened to some of us; our minds are so cluttered with corrupt attitudes, habits and feelings that we are enslaved, deeply enslaved and as such, are not able to celebrate true emancipation.

    We are in the year of the 8, 2008, and the 8 looks much like the shackles that our ancestors wore when they were in bondage. During this emancipation season, decide to take the shackles off your mind and begin to dream again, allow hope to transform your spirit; open your mind to see your possibilities, and not the circumstances that challenge you; for when you free your mind, the rest will follow.

     Each of us no doubt are filled with personal hopes, dreams and expectations, but many of us do not understand how to go about using our talents or know how to achieve our innermost personal desires.  Few of us understand that in life so much of getting is tied to how much we first give.

    Existing all around us, are the divine laws of life, and one of these laws is the Law of Abundance.  The Law of Abundance is rather simple and tells us that by giving you receive. This divine law tells us that we cannot truly enjoy the riches of the universe until we are willing to share them with others.

   Understand, abundance does not mean merely accumulating material wealth and numerous possessions.  For it is very easy to accumulate material wealth and abundance, while neglecting the nurturing of one’s spirit. Far too many of us are rich and entrenched deeply in materialism, but are poor and disenchanted in spirit. Those without, often question how someone can have material wealth and still be unhappy. It is simple, we are all spiritual beings, and our well-being starts with inner peace, not with our list of possessions.

   Typically, when we do not give, when we become too shortsighted and self-focused, failing to give to others, we feel empty inside. Additionally, all of the things that we desire just do not seem to come our way.

   To unlock your gateway to abundance, I would suggest that you consider doing several things. 

   First, give thanks for all the wonderful things that you have received, and also be appreciative of all of your life experiences.  All of our experiences, both good and bad are designed to teach us, to help us grow and develop so that we can maximize our greatest potentials. When some events continue to reoccur in our lives, it is because we have not learned or we refuse to heed the lesson. Do not wait for Thanksgiving or special holidays to express your thanks and gratitude, do it daily, for life, and your unique journey as a part of this life experience are gifts to be cherished

   Secondly, open your heart and soul and become a cheerful giver. Truly the more you give, the more you get. Your giving does not have to be money, trinkets, or other material things. Giving can take all shapes; a warm smile, an encouraging word, a special compliment. All of these forms of giving are just as important as material things. Whatever you wish to receive in life, you first need to be able to give it to others.

    Third, give without expecting anything in return. The intention behind your giving is the key to unlocking the gateway of abundance into your life. When you give to create joy and happiness in the life of others, those same things will come back to you immeasurably.  When we support the hopes, wishes and dreams of others, when you need a dream champion, one will appear in your life simply because we have given so earnestly to others.

    Start practicing the Law of Abundance and watch your life become more joyful and feel your inner spirit soar. This Thanksgiving reflect on all the many blessings that have come your way, instead of rehashing all of the things you feel you have been denied. Choose to have an attitude of gratitude, check your expectations. When you embrace a spirit of abundance, it will MANIFEST in your life

Witnessing the demise of Borders Books and Music Stores illustrates what happens when leaders refuse to acknowledge and respond to change…..change is channeling .harnessing, alternate, notions, guiding, execution. News reports suggest that a failure to shift in response to a changing marketplace led to closure of over 200 stores and more than 10,000 people being laid out.  Change is difficult for most of us to accept, and change is inevitable; but our response to it is not always proactive.

The Borders saga is a teachable moment for us all. The winds of change are blowing, so we all have to embrace the art of reinvention and enhance our ability to execute. 

War, violence, the fear of rape, child marriages, access to health care and social services, gender biases dominant in the culture, elder abuse are coupled with the currently prevalent worldwide issues of povery, economic strife, HIV/AIDS, joblessness, educational underachievement, and hopelessness.  The stories of pain and suffering shared within the halls of the Kongresshaus Center here in Switzerland are certain to evoke caring and concern among even the most cold-hearted individuals, even the most ungrateful individual would take pause and in a split second come to realize how much they have to be thankful for after scanning the big picture of their life. 

In spite of all of this, I have met women from around the world, who are passionate about the practice of human development work, and who are intent on transforming both the lives of people, as well as the communities in which they live. My spirit has been warmed by the countless women who are keenly focused on deriving sustainable solutions, rather than belaboring dialogue about the magnitude of the problems.

The foundation to both personal and organizational excellence is linked to leadership, and I believe that in growing numbers, divinely women are being prepared to serve as catalyst for transformative community change that will uplift girls, boys, men, families, community.

Today, July 15th, in the face of such societal strife, as I write this at 6:30 am Switzerland time, I ask for divine wisdom as I prepare to faciliate a skill building session based upon my book, Follow Her Lead: Leadership Lessons For Women As They Journey From the Backroom to the Boardroom.

I ask the Creator to order my steps and use me as He always does to provide tools that can further equip these community builders, I ask that the Creator guides my speech so that I uplift these women so that they can return home in a few days and sow even more powerful seeds of visionary change.

By harnessing the divine brilliance within each of us, we CAN change the WORLD!!

 Women from around the world are making their way here to dialogue and derive solutions for issues that challenge our global society. Highlights for me will be the upcoming affiliation ceremonies for the YWCAs from the Virgin Islands and Haiti, clear indicators that women in the Caribbean are working to contribute to the health of vitality of their communities. The other highlight will be facilitating a learning circle based upon my book, Follor Her Lead; one of my books that was recently cited by two Echo Green Fellowship winners and Social Entrepreneurs as a must read.

It is amazing to see how in Paris and now Switzerland, the Starbucks and McDonalds brands are flourishing with long, long lines of people waiting to make a purchase. Humbling also is to encounter people who are not only bi-lingual…most speak four and five languages…..as we in America too often feel that the world revolves solely on the English language…techonological advancement gave birth to increasing globalization, so we must catch up or we are going to be left behind.

And for the dollar, it is worth but 75 cents in comparison to the Swiss Franc…….did not see many gas hungry SUVs roaming the streets in Paris, small cars RULE. In Zurich, public transportation is used 99% of the time. I was told this is in honor of the environment and because it saves everyone money…..

The International Women’s Summit kicks off tomorrow…what a tremendous opportunity I have been granted to SERVE…someone said to me, I hope this does not turn out to be a typical gathering of women, where egos and bickering hamper the creation of solutions and positive actions…while understanding her concern as I have witnessed that countless times myself, I replied, “When women commit to WALKING their own TRUTH and WORKING for GOOD, the possibilities for CHANGE become BOUNDLESS

Otherwise, a simply fantastic day. 76 degrees, strolling the Champs Elysees, visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Paris Opera House and mesmerizing museums..tasty delicacies……my Paris time is almost a wrap; time to get to Switzerland…..

 Updates will be posted here, on facebook and of course tune into CARIBVOICERADIO.org