Do For Love..Caldwell and then Tupac

The song that just popped in my head is Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love". It wasn't so much the lyrics but the instrumental. It is very soothing, romantic and mellow. The instruments seem to come alive! Bobby's lyrics are great too - "you tried everything but you won't give up" and "my friends wonder what is wrong with me...cause I'm in a daze from your loving scene".

Tupac's "Do For Love" is also smooth too as it samples the instrumental and the chorus. I am not sure who sang the hook 2pac but the voice is very similar to Caldwell's and this is a nice touch. 2pac's version has additional modern sounds but the essence is there especially in the hook.

With this instrumental, it's really about the energy from the musicians so the singer/rappers just have to perform and make the song a total package.

New artists, take note. Learn from the greats.......

ribbon

Soca & Calypso - Feel Good Music

I love my Soca and Calypso music. It's such a great energy and if you really feel like dancing, then you can burn some calories too. I was listening to some older soca and calypso tonight and I burst a sweat. My children enjoyed it too and were dancing with me.

We didn't go far back with ou listening choices tonight. There was no "Inspection Lane" by the Awesome Jamband and there wasn't any "Horse Chip" either. Instead, we had a little Flaunt It by Claudette Peters and some Pumpin' by Peter Ram.

I took a little closer home with some "Circles" by Showtime from the BVI and "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Pantha Vibes from Anguilla. Usually we have some "Push It" or "Stiff Wuk Up" by the JDPP Jammers out of St. Thomas but I will give the kids that another night. I love my St. Kitts bands too and the Trinidadian massive too.

I like for my kids to hear and appreciate this music because it is a part of our culture. And as I stated earlier, dancing to soca can get you to break a sweat!

I don't know what your feel good music is but mine for sure is sweet sweet soca and calypso!

Mind you - I love my reggae, hip hop and R&B too but it's easier to dance to soca and calypso!

ribbon

POEM: No Sight

It's always a blast
a hard word
or a push
when there is no foresight
hindsight
or insight
but until we act right
then there'll never be delight
just fright
blight
not a unite
but a fist fight
for both black and white
want their future to be bright
sigh
sight is blinded

ribbon

Lend a Helping Hand

If you ever get into a position to help others, it is a blessing to do so. You may feel that noone helps you when you ask for it but God is always there for us.

There are always ways for problems to be solved. Sometimes, we just have to persevere and struggle through the turmoil. However, we don't want to be regarded as pushovers so be mindful of those who try to use and abuse you.

Despite the users, offering a helping hand is good. It's a great fulfillment in knowing that your small input may have made someone's day.

One while I was driving, I saw a little boy with his father walking. A bottle dropped from the boy's hand and somehow he got cut on his hand. I immediately stopped and bid them to come in my car so I could take them to the hospital. I can't fathom seeing things like that happen in front of me. I have children of my own and would hope that other people would not leave them to suffer.

Afterall, none of us would want our sins to fall on our children. We all want to live in peace and harmony. We all want the best for our familes. However, it can't be only about the 'we' in a small group - it has to be about the entire community.

Please take care of each other and help anyone that you see in need.

ribbon

Happiness on the Job

Happiness on the job does not mean a perfect job. It may be the job that's outside your field, that you may be overqualified for or are underpaid and underappreciated.

However, going past the basic needs of a clean work environment, water and basic tools, employees need to know that they contributions are appreciated even if their suggestions are not always implemented. Supervisors need to listen to the people in the trenches and sometimes walk in the trenches to understand the day-to-day runnings.

Gossip is a killer on the job and so is micro-management and backbiting. I have worked in the midst of all of this and it is no pleasant. I will never tell anyone to be the 'yes man' and never refuse an assignment. You have to say no and stand up to your peers and supervisors when needed. People are always looking for a scapegoat, a gossip partner, a news carrier or work horse. Living as one of those person does not bring happiness on the job. Instead it brings misery.

Lack of teamwork brings a lot of negativity. However, the team can only be strong if the manager has that motivating and inspiring attitude that can get diverse people to work together. When we focus on differences we can't get any work done.

Happiness on the job for me means that the team has each other's back and can achieve success amongst conflicts. There will be conflicts and challenges everywhere in life. Never feel that happiness means that nothing can go wrong. Only babies are allowed to live that way because parents or other adults are there to foster their needs.

Try to avoid or sidestep the negative on the job. Focus on getting the job done and even if you are not treated well, still perform to the best of your ability until you are able to solve your troubles or move on to another position. Afterall, we are only set to be in one place for a time. At some point we will be moving on - preferably forward!

Poem: Unwilling Prey

Enticing
It calls my name...silently
I try to never look its way
but yet it always seems to find me
'Take me home'
it says with emphasis
but I never want to go near
Many times I run away
from its pull
but I never can run far away
because its attraction
defeats me
although I am unwilling prey
this captor graciously
takes me into its den
knowing that my fortitude
will soon dissolve
and I will take a dip
into the sea which draws me in

ribbon

Writing Poems About Children

Poems about children can be written to speak from a child's perspective or can be written about childhood experiences to convey strong messages.

Poetry is a great art-form to express feelings about nature, people, life, inanimate objects and the world as a whole. Writing poems about children is a great way to reminisce about childhood or to convey a message from a child's perspective. The message may not always be positive as sometimes it becomes necessary for an important message which has negative undertones to be shared.

Compose the Poem for the Intended Audience

Writing for the intended audience is very important regardless of the topic or type of writing. While a poem may be written about children, the poem can be catered for children to read or for adults.

• Poems written for children: If the poem is written to be shared with children, then be mindful of the message being conveyed. Avoid any inappropriate words and very unpleasant references. Simple words with a simple tone can bring across the inspiration. Keep a simple rhyme scheme especially if the poem is to be performed for children. An example of lines could be "A pretty red ribbon/ sits in Diane's hair/ her happiness is shown/in the colors she wears"
• Poems for adult readers: While any theme can be written to be shared with an adult audience, be mindful of religion, gender and other topics that can cause discomfort of controversy. This can affect book sales and requested performances at schools, churches and events.

Poems from a Child's Perspective

Writing from another perspective entails some brainstorming and creative thought. Think of how active and lucid a child's imagination is. Write using colors, vivid scenes and simple words and phrases. Also, write in the first person. Although the message may have negative undertones such as child abuse, it is important to keep the message coming from a child's viewpoint. An example is: "I don't know why you hit me I was a good boy I didn't mean to break the toy".

Poems about Childhood Experiences

Poems about children can speak in any voice about childhood events. Again, tailoring the writing for audience is very important. These types of poems if written for an adult audience can share messages about divorce, abuse, assault and any other vice. Regardless of the speaker, "I, you or she", be sure to convey the poem with an imaginative flair and with vivid description. Be creative by using imagery and vivid descriptions. An example is: "You have grown. You have elapsed from the angel that everyone believed that you were. From sleeping in the den and then tasting the jams and jellies - licking your fingers as you run and hide".

Composing poems about children requires innovation and creativity because the writing can bring back memories of childhood experiences. However, while some childhood experiences may be negative, the message should still be shared because it may impact positively on the readers. Write for the audience and incorporate writing that appeals to the senses so that the readers or listeners can understand the poem.