POEM: The Leader in You and Me

I don't like being behind
and no one does
however
it's a lot of work to stand in front
you have to be wise
you have to be strong
and you have to be real
with yourself
everyone can be a leader
but not everyone
can lead
because first
you have to be able to
take instruction
you have to be able to listen
because no leader
can stand on his or her own
you need support
and you have to give support
so don't think that
a degree makes you a leader
cause you have to earn your stripes
you have to know when to move
you have to know
when to take action
and sometimes that action
brings repercussions
but a leader has to
take the good and the bad
so when you take the helm
know that you will be
under fire
but you have to stand strong
be firm
and still be ready to apologize
leaders have to balance a lot

It Pays to Pay Attention

It really pays to pay attention! I just made a bubble but thankfully it can be solved. I guess my mind was not in the usual place. I always tell my son to pay attention to what he is doing and that he should read over. This morning I am a testimony to that - I must pay attention.

Thankfully in the middle of creating this blog post, the problem was solved. We have to thank God for his small mercies. It is a beautiful thing to feel a sigh of relief. There are a lot of other things going around me that are in a cloud of suspicion and strange behavior, but I will persevere.

I am a Black Diamond generation. I will never be beat down. I am a child of my ancestors and we are a clan that pushes for what we want. I don't give up that easily. I thank God for another day and look forward to dealing with what comes before me - reading over twice of course!

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Prayer for Palm Sunday

I have not shared a prayer in a long time. I guess it is fitting to do so on Palm Sunday. I hope everyone has a blessed rest of the day.

Heavenly Father,

You are our creator, our best friend, our guide and our savior. Protect us, Lord, from evil and create in us clean hearts and clean minds so that we may love our fellow man. Guide us on a path of redemption and growth. Instill in us the things that you would want us to do so that we can be champions for your kingdom. Watch over the poor, calm the hurting and help the broken hearted to be healed. Dear God, help us to be better servants and better shepherds to your flock. Lord, help me to be a better example for those around me. In your name I pray.

AMEN 

POEM: In Other Words

In other words
it's still hard to say
it's still nevertheless
a pain to understand
comprehension is a task
and if you want to compose
you still have to dispose
of the emptiness in your head
so don't act like you can't hear
or stare at the sky
open your mind
cause the other words
are the ones you need to know
so don't be fooled
follied or bullied
just get it in your head
in other words

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Our Children and Their Increasing Workload

It is a lot of work dealing with children and their homework. It gets even harder when it's time for tests. I have been trying to study and practice as new work is given but it's hard with so many subjects to cover. I have now employed online quizzes and tools to help my son and hopefully it works. He works very hard. I always say that when he gets an 'A', he has worked diligently for that 'A'.

I was different. Some things were easy for me. I could grasp math and had a command of language and Spanish. History was hard for me because of the memorization. Geography was more realistic to me because I could apply it to something natural. My daughter seems so ready to take on challenges but it's left to be seen what type of learner she will be.

I encourage every parent to work their hardest with their children. I know it's not easy but do your best.

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I Love It When There Is A Chain Reaction

It is always good to know when positive behavior can be spread. We know that negativity moves very fast and infects all that pass by. However, when one person can do something right and another is inspired, then we are moving in the right direction.

I saw this happen at my church. One child made a step forward to do something positive and another got inspired and we are hoping that others would do the same. It really only takes one person to motivate another and then it becomes a chain reaction.

So what can you do to cause a positive chain reaction? It's not complicated. You can start by just telling someone "Good Morning" or by helping someone with their load. Your random act of kindness can start a series of events that may bless someone.

So, what are you going to do today that will be positive and inspiring?

Congrats to all the Inter-Primary Sports Winners

Well after another long day of competition, the 2013 Inter-Primary Sports are complete. Despite some timing issues, the races went well and the children all shined. I greatly enjoyed the competition this year. There were some tight races and I am proud of the students, the teachers and the parents.

Congrats to Joyce Samuel Primary School for winning 2nd place in the B Division. Alexandrina Maduro Primary came 1st this year and they really worked hard for it. The races were great and show good sportsmanship.

Congrats also to Enis Adams for grabbing that 2nd place trophy in the A Division. Althea Scatliffe took the first place this year again.

We will all work harder next year and continue to encourage the children to excel both athletically and academically.

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POEM: My Life

I'm living each day
with a smile on  my face
cause certain situations
I can't change
and in most cases
I won't even bother
because I have more
to live for
I have a joy
that can overtake
the sorrows
and lift my spirits
tragedy is real
and negative things
find their way to me
but I have to persevere
and this I will do
I'm keeping the faith
and keeping my head straight
cause I'm on a mission
to live a better life
not with riches
but with a better
appreciation of life

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A Long Weekend

This was a quiet weekend, yet a busy one. I was able to accomplish quite a bit and am looking forward to doing more. This blog post should have come from yesterday but I relaxed on it because I wanted to cook, comb both my daughter's and my hair as well as put a lemongrass in a small pot. I do a lot and that's just my nature.

Today, I was reminded how important it is to brush your hair. my hair feels so good now and my daughter's is much lighter. I have to remember to condition as well as brush my hair after I wash it.There are some times that I want it to look thicker but this is not one of them. It looks healthier and feels better on my head.

This week is the Inter-Primary School Sports and I am looking forward to it. I'm not the biggest sports enthusiast but I have to be a real trooper to boost up  my children. They need all the encouragement that they can take. Events will be held both Wednesday and Thursday this week and I hope that the community will come out to support the children.

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Little Children Have Peer Pressure Too....

March 8 is International Women's Day. I encourage all the women around me and who read my blog to continue to persevere despite the challenges that we face. Don't give up and never let anyone stand in the way of your dreams.

Today, my daughter related to me that another child at school told her that she didn't like the outfit I helped her to coordinate. I told my darling child that the other little girl was just hating on her. I find that some parents allow their children to feel that they are above others and do not teach them manners. While my children are not perfect, I try to instill certain values in them.

I saw the hurt in my daughter's eyes and I understand her stance on the matter. At her age, she is easily bruised. However, I see how peer pressure can really affect children and I tried to give both children a little pep talk to boost their confidence. Afterall, it remains my duty to boost their self esteem and self confidence.

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Moving Words of Ribbon Forward

At 50,000 page views and 579 blog posts, I feel like a star. My blog may not be as popular as other people''s but for me, it is something special. Thank you very much to all the visitors!

Today was celebrated as Read Aloud day in the BVI and I took the opportunity to share one of my poems, Reciprocation on Radio ZBVI 780. I tried to use intonation and to be very expressive. The announcer said he enjoyed the poem and I hope the listening audience did too.

This blog has been a boost for me in so many ways. It is my blank palette where I can hone my writing and where I can share my new poems. I can raise awareness on an issue or share the triumph of positive event.

It's my way to put myself out there in a positive way. It's my way to inspire someone to do something new and take their dream to another level. This blog has been my way into other opportunities and I am going to keep excelling. It's in me and it's in you - innovate and follow your passion.

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POEM: Staying True

I'm not one for playing around with fire
but I will be on fire to reach my desires
I have the need to rise higher
and despite my prior misdemeanors
I want a record that's cleaner
I want my tomorrow to be much better
because I am a positive trendsetter
I'm not one to waste time
or throw away that thin dime
for I endeavor to get what's mine
not yours, because that belongs to you
so you know I am a friend that's true
and despite what you think you knew,
today I am a new being
yes - far more that the exterior you are seeing
so don't stay there in idle dreaming
because just as music today is streaming
time passes in just a moment
and while we may be content
in our personal situations
sometimes it needs a new direction
my momentum is forward
and all I can give you is good words
words of encouragement and delight
words that can make your day bright
so open your senses to what's real
and as you deal with the world around you
think positive and always stay true

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