Caribbean Free Your Mind… and the rest will follow!!!

    I wrote this piece for my Caribbean Voice newspaper column three years ago in 2008, and sadly much of it still applies.

     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.

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Unlocking Your Gateway to Abundance….give thanks

     Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching, and although there are a variety of viewpoints and feelings about this holiday and its origination, each and every day should be a day of thanks, a day filled with gratitude for the many blessings received.

     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

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