POEM: My Changes

I miss my youth
the glory days
when I thought I was a champion
and that nothing could stop me
I had vigor
I had charm
I had smart speech
and I was hardly alarmed
I had head to toe style
I was flawless
but with all of that
I was missing one time
I was missing God in my life
I was living in strife
fighting hardship
but when I got closer to Jesus
I saw that outward appearance
was only superficial
just a surface treatment
God is the one
who is in control
so now I am better
and I am living wiser
in balance
and no longer in transit
Thank God
for his mercies!

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Get Up and Do Something for Yourself - Online or Otherwise

The internet offers a great opportunity for research, games and to make money legally. I'm not talking about pyramid schemes but decent opportunities. Even if it's updating a website, blogging or other writing, there are viable ways to earn a little income on the web.

I don't want to ever get rich but to be comfortable and enjoy the simple things of life. I have been to Guyana, Jamaica, St. Martin and New York because of various opportunities that I have been able to get.

I encourage everyone to seek opportunites not only online but in whatever ways they can. Look for legitimate competitions, scholarships or training opportunities to see where life can take you. Don't ever sit back and wait for anyone to ever give you anything - you have to get up, take helm and do for your self.

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Businesses Must Have Good Customer Service

Customer service is a problem in both the public and private sector. I have always made an outcry about this and I think that time is coming again. People expect a certain level of respect and service when they enter into an establishment.

However, as I start to look at things a little deeper, I realize that it goes further than just customer service. The problem partially is the processes and the rules that people have to work by. Some of the rules are redundant, outdated or just plain out don't make sense. In other cases, the employees are frustrated by the poor systems and take it out on the customers.

We have to seriously start looking at the way we do things and making the processes work efficiently. Customers don't care why things don't work - they care about getting their business taken care of. Until businesses understand this, they won't move forward. Competition is tight and being sentimental has gone out of style.

It's time to wake because customers have a choice today. There are hardly any monopolies left.

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POEM: Yes it is me

Yes it is me
I'm not tall like a tree
or busy like a bee
but I am someone
that you can see
so why ignore
me?
am I not smart like a pin
or smooth like
baby's skin
yes i am
and I don't spread spam
but I consider
myself a champion
a top notch
soldier
who claims
the arms of my savior
yes it is me
short
little
small
but I won't tell
it all
just know that I am here
and not
going
anywhere

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Greatest God,

You are most wonderful, most omnipotent and merciful. Thank you for your continued blessings. Breathe in us a new life. Help us to handle tough situations and live in righteous. Give us the strength to be faithful and fair to our fellow man. Lord, give the students in the BVI strength to complete their exams and do well. Dear Lord, remain our rock and our foundation.

AMEN

Short Thoughts for March 24, 2012

It's never wise to suck up to others. Be yourself. Love yourself. You can't gain respect unless you respect youself first.

Sometimes you have to block your ears to thw world. Just pray and just live. Time is too short to play around with worrying about what people think.

Be yourself. Love yourself.

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Slow and Steady Money Will Come

I love the idea of working from home but I prefer to make small increments over time than big checks quickly. I also prefer to invest my time to make money than my money for the promise of making money.

I know some people who are into this various programs where they invest large sums of money with the promise of cashing large checks without having to do much. I am not optimistic about those programs. I guess I watch too much American Greed to be willing to invest in those programs. However, many people swear by it and I wish them all the best.

I personally prefer doing my little blog, writing and music reviews. It won't make me rich overnight but I can get some extra cash to buy the things I need. I know I'm a slow and steady wins the race kind of girl. Ideally I need my work from home income to pay the internet bill. Then we're cooking with gas!

I know I'll never rich with earthly riches but I know I'll be comortable and I am happy with that.

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Crazy Multitasking

I am multi-tasking today as always. I am helping my son to study, playing mellow reggae music, getting them ready for bed, thinking about what I need to write and just chilling out.

I've feed the kids, clean the kitchen and I just want to mellow out. Busy Signal, Tarrus Riley, Cherine Anderson, Morgan Heritage and a long list of reggae artist are my relaxers today. My daughter is all happy but little she knows, she's heading to bed.

I've had a long day and music is my medicine. I get to flex my muscles and raise my voice. I still have an article to write but this type of mellow multitasking is the best. You can be assured that my headphones are in at work too because sometimes you need to block out noise. I love to block it out with nice music.

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Prayer for World Poetry Day - March 21, 2012

Heavenly Father, Thank you for another day. Bless those who are making birthday today. Father, we ask your blessings on the poets and lyricists who share their work with your people. Please continue to send inspiration our way and persuade us to always speak positivity to all who hear. Let our purpose be spirit-filled and enable us to do what is right in your sight. Lord, as we celebrate another World Poetry Day, we thank you for our talents. Ma our work be always pleasing to you and helpful to others. In your name I pray.

AMEN

Poem: Getting Back

I've got a lot to say
and while some of it
may come harsh your way
no ill is intended
so let the fences be mended
cause there are things that
need to be said
and things that have to
rest in the bed
because if you're not alive
you're dead
so don't let riches get
to your head
cause these days
man watching
with a piece of lead
and when they shoot
all we see is red
red red wine
but it don't make me
feel fine
cause all the young people
dying
and we crying and crying
and crying
cause we just don't know why
no matter how much we try
they just don't listen
and in this game
they're not winning
but we got plans
to get them back
on track
off the slack
and from the hack
cause without them
there's no future
and we want them
to live till they wearing dentures
that's vivid right
but that's the only way
to get them to the light
and on the right
path
so don't take it harsh
take it real
and make your appeal
to the youth
to get them back
on the right track

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POEM: My Delight

when I write
I make it a delight
despite
the pitfalls I face
my time in this place
is limited and while I am
conceited
I take heed
and I take lead
because only with
fortitude
and a good attitude
can we excel
and the evil repel
we've gotta pray
and focus on the
right way
to keep our lives
in check
and learn to walk away
when we get vexed
it's better to
do better
and live as a positive
trendsetter
setting the right example
let's get the evil
trampled
crumpled
and discarded
let the good
be regarded
and the innocent freed
because we know how
tough this life can be

© Linette Rasbatt

My Try at Short Fiction

I awakened to a horrible sound. It croaked, it creaked and it growled. I could not figure out what it was but I was afraid. I huddled under my covers, fearful to leave the room. I pondered on what to do. Should I get up or should I lay down.

The sound continued. CREAK! CROAK! BRRRR! I decided that I would face the consequences but not without my little pickaxe. I grabbed it from under my bed and lightly walked into the hallway and headed for the front room. I did not bother to turn on the lights because I did not want to startle whatever was in the house. I tiptoed, barely breathing, into the living room and to my surprise, there was nothing or noone there.

But there it was again - CREAK, CROAK, GRRRR! I started to consider if my septic was crumbling or if a cow had fallen below the house. I summed up some more courage and I stepped outside. I looked over the porch and at the side of the house but I could see nothing. I ventured into the yard and as the motion lights came on, my eyes just met the dark and cold night.

I gave up and went back to bed. In the morning, I realized that my son figured out how to watch a movie on my laptop and that's where the noise was coming from. He is grounded for two months!

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Prayer for the World on March 13, 2012

Holy Father, Most High God, Gracious Creator:

Thank you for your countless blessings. It is truly amazing the works of your hands and the massive nature of your forgiveness. Give us a refreshment in love, a quenching of humbleness and an aching to serve you. Bless those who are in struggles and are in need of love. Comfort those that are abused and who need a hand or a prayer from another. Dear God, we know we are not perfect but help us to strive to be more like you.

In your name I pray.

Amen

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Happy Gardening

When you are gardening, you have to watch for so many pests.

There's the:

1. Loose livestock - in the BVI, that could be cows, sheep, goats, donkeys or horses. They make extensive damage and depending on which animal bites your plant, it's dead. The only good thing is that they leave their manure behind to fertilize what's left. The animals understand food security much better than the humans. The owners are horrible though because they leave their animals to bother everyone.
2. Birds - We've got thrushes here in the BVI and they love tomatoes, eggplants, mangos, soursop and anything these birds think is delicious. They are smart and cunning birds who make one pick in a fruit and then move to another. I remember when we had the swing open windows, the thrushes would just fly in and look for food on the counter. No one has really found a way to get rid of them. For cash crops, there's netting that can be used but for large fruit trees, you just have to pray they leave some for you.
3. Iguanas - In St. Thomas, farmers will have issues with iguanas. However the staff at the UVI Cooperative Extension service have some great ideas that are eco-friendly to keep the iguanas away. It is also against the law to harm these creatures so any solution must be green and safe for the iguanas.
4. Small Pests - Pink Hibiscus Mealybug, Aphids, Scale Insects are the many other plant pests can be detrimental to a garden. Crickets, caterpillars and other worms/nematodes are also silent killers that can kill a crop overnight. Mango Seed Weevil are also small pests that destroy a mango crop. These are just a few examples as there are many more small pests that can damage crops. Consult with your local agriculture representatives on how to deal with these problems.
5. Man - Humans are the worst pests. They are supposed to have a conscience but they don't. There are folklore stories about persons who got sick or died from being poisoned from eating stolen food. I let my property grow into into thorns just for the two foot bandits. You want it more than I do, then cut your own tracks through the cashas!

These are just a few examples - and these are more relevant to my limited experience. Be sure to keep an eye out for all types of pests in your garden.

Happy Gardening!

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POEM: What I have to give

giving you love

is the only thing
that I can offer
it's all I have
all I can freely give
of the little I own
you may think it's less
but it is my very best
when I give it
I'm not left with emptiness
there won't be an empty nest
but it'll be like an elegant dress
or a head full of beautiful tresses
it is what I have
and when I give it
I give it all
I don't stall
and there won't be a recall
the best thing in the world
is love
and we should give it away
everyday
and in every way
LOVE

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Blog No. 405

I've gone past 400 blog posts and 11,000 page views and I feel like I have so much to share. There are people who need to be inspired so the little things that I say might boost someone's day. I started this blog as a an opportunity to introduce myself to the world. I went from posting hardly ever to making sure that a post goes up at least every other day.

I share my life experiences and little insights that I learn. For example, I know that I'm not the only person who fidgets in meetings. I'm guessing I may have always had ADHD but somehow was able to control it. I tune things in and out. I guess that's why I like writing music reviews because I get to focus on the music which I do enjoy.

I've learned recently that although I'm a math wiz, that does not mean that my son is. I just have to find the ways to help him get focused so that he can pass. I've also learned that each child is different and the precision I get from one does not mean that the other will perform at the level. I have to appreciate their individual talents.

I am blessed not to have children who throw tantrums in public. Throw a tantrum? Are you kidding me? I would be reprimanding immediately. I have no time for nonsense. Oh and to you the reading public, if Mommy tells her child 'no' - it's 'no'. Ask a question politely before you intercede because you don't know the background of the story.

See, I have a lot to learn and a lot to share as I learn. Let's work together to improve ourselves, our community and life as a whole.

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Quick thoughts for Monday, March 5, 2012

Writers beware - your words are impacting people
Investors beware - stop trying to get rich overnight, you'll go broke even faster
Buyers beware - spend smart and watch the online shopping
Christins beware - the devil is a liar and we can't let him win

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My Thoughts on a Winning Attitude

Having a winning attitude means that despite sorrow or a fall, you keep the faith and keep going forward. It's not many people that have winning attitudes. Many have whining vibrations as they sound like a siren.

I get a lot of defeats but I curse a little, pout for some, suck my teeth and pick back up the saddle. I am not perfect but I can say I think I have a winning personality. I have to find a way to survive.

I sometimes am the first one to raise a concern and other times I might be the last. I've learned a lot in my years and I have to truly come to accept that some people are just not nice. I have much more to live for while God lends me time.

So if you see me singing or playing a game on my phone, I am building my winning attitude because if I start a whining behavior like some people, then I would lose my mind.

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