The Girl Who Felt She Had It Rough

Once upon a time there was a girl who felt that she had it rough. She fell in and out of love. She leaped between life and death. She creeped through the valley and soared over the hills. She dodged several bullets and caught many stars. She ran with the lions and slumbered with the snails.

Her life was never dull but never exciting. Her pockets were never full but the back pocket always had $2.00. She showed appreciation to who helped her and still commended those who ignored her cries. She fell and she got up. She lived her art and her art was a reflection of her.

She proved that life was just never perfect or balanced but that we all just need to scream, cope and run when needed. We need to cry sometimes and other times, breathe or react, or all of the above. Between the rising and the falling, she stood, sat, laid and crept her way through. Quiet or loud, whatever it took, she dealt with the blows given and she returned a few too.

Being the rebel, she was still passive resistant. A risk-taker who was also a coward. She took late action but was also proactive for what she wanted.

She evaluated and dreamed forward only to realize that all she needed to do was live.

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POEM: Starter

I'm shattered
my brain is scattered
not that it matters
to you I'm a squatter
but as my wound spatters
my clothes are tattered
so your words can't flatter
or stick me in the batter
in the abyss of the matter
at hand is a disaster
but I stand smarter
alert like a master
but as tame as a starter

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What Can A Bum Teach You

I like to make a joke that the persons who most people think are crazy are the sane ones. These people seem to live in an alternate universe and just move at their own pace. We, the sane ones, have more chronic diseases, fatigue and stress. The bums are happy within themselves and rely on everyone else refuse and kindness to survive.

We, the sane ones, are caught up in getting rich, keeping each other down and burying our kin. We are awful to our family, friends and co-workers. We set traps, dig holes and deceive to get ahead. We, the sane ones, will trample our fellow man just to get ahead.

What kind of life are we living if we have to do that? People are no longer satisfied with the basics and are always seeking to outdo one another. We no longer look at other persons as an example to live by - we look to see how we can have bigger and better than our neighbor.

The bum just wants a cool, safe night. Some are secretly rich watching us run the rat race so they choose to beg us. Some decided that the rat race was too much for them or their spirit and mind gave up trying with the fantasies of the world.

What can this teach you? Never underestimate anyone and never discriminate or classify anyone. Live your life and try your best to do right.


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Helping Hands Abound

I can be a helper in my community without being in an organization, politically elected or by being rich. We all can do small things to help those around us. Everyone has their struggles, however, we have to find positive ways to inspire each other.

I'll always say that I have amazing friends who are always thinking of others. I like that because that behavior rubs off on me in a "pass it forward" kind of way. LIME in the BVI, when they were still Cable & Wireless, had a motto - TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More. I think this is so true.

If we all unite and fight for the same cause, then we can get results faster. Working together makes a job lighter. I know that there a fables that read differently but it all depends on the tasks and the leadership involved.

Good work is not always recognized but a kind-hearted person is someone who will have patience and be humble. They help because they are compelled to. God somehow directs them to help others even if they did not plan to. When more than one person is sent by God to assist another, multiple blessings are flowing.

Let's work together and see how we can help someone in need, a non-profit organization or an environmental cause.

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"Power Seeker" or "Change Leader"

I was never interested in "Power Seekers" to run my country. I am always looking for "Change Leaders" who make decisions that may seem controversial but really are in the best interest of the people. It is hard to find leaders like that today because the power always seems to get to heads.

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely".  This statement is true. Leaders need to be reminded that we, the people, have the power and that they can be replaced. However we seem to get complacent and accepting of what they do to us. While efforts may seem futile in any situation, there is always a recourse. Never feel that managers or leaders are the final destination. Everyone is only put in a position for a time and this includes you and I.

We want "Change Leaders" who are going to stand up for justice. We all have our biases but we have to maintain a level of professionalism in exerting our duties. No country should accept leaders who constantly ignore the needs of their constituents.

Everyday we realize that our lack of preparation is causing several emergencies in our country today. However, we can not make the statement that  "lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency for me". We all have a part to play and a role to speak up and out when we see our leaders are not chartering a clear course.

We have seen that our people are sick with several chronic diseases for years now. Health Education programs needed to be implemented in the primary schools for how long now? School lunch programs in conjunction with the agricultural sector should have already been in place. What kind of lunch is chicken and chips? Children consume this every day today. We are crying that in 2000 there were 2 dialysis patients but in 2010 there are 38 with 10 bordering to be added to that list.

There are statistics in front of us crying out that we are not being proactive in taking care of our people, our infrastructure and our environment. What are we going to do now? Keep listening to the "Power Seekers" or work with the "Change Leaders?"

A "Change Leader" would be the one who will say we are heading for a deficit and subsidies will have to be cut. However, this type of leader will seek alternative ways for people to still survive like sending us to the Small Business Bureau, Labour Department or National Bank to create cottage industries. Our people are spoiled into believing that handouts are how to get ahead. There will be scholarships, compeitions etc and they never see it fit to take part. We just prefer to receive the infamous "white envelope".

"Change Leaders" have to curb this behavoir. However, there will be families in need and assistance should be given but teach them how to fish in the meantime.

What type of leader do you seek to be? I am up for change!

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What Do You Follow

People get excited over controversy and conspiracy theories. I get excited with new challenges and making positive change. The propaganda is actually strewn around and the negatives can distract you and keep you back.

The hot topics grab everyone's attention and can really have a negative effect on everyone concerned and around. It makes us pay attention to the insignificant details as we miss the true point. The world thrives on this and it's what makes many media houses rich.

You have to decide what you want to subscribe to and what you let clutter your space - be it positive or negative. I actually like to watch music video (oldies) or sitcoms to keep me in balance with the crime, social ills, political corruption and tragedies that permeate the airwaves today. With what's happening, people are marking dates for the apocalypse.

I subscribe to whatever God enacts and lays before me. I can prefer or wish for many things to happen but if it's the Father's will, I am his servant and can only endure until he calls me home. I encourage every man to seek for their understanding and live according to what keeps them grounded.

There was tragedy in the early days and such natural disasters are bound to occur. Our tenacity and tendency to disagree will also make room for wars. Therefore, we just have to live right in the best way we can and get ready.

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A Hard Monster to Tame

I shared this snippet of words on my Facebook page yesterday:

I like it hot
you like it cold
I may not seem confident on the spot
but I am superbly bold
I love the warmth
You seem more frigid
We differ in thoughts
I'm flexible and you're rigid.

I do love working with words, phrases, diction and poetry.

While some people are fearful, intimidated by or are suspicious of Facebook, I have the firm belief that Facebook is great for sharing information, networking and planning finding loved ones and old classmates. I never encourage anyone to put too much information on the internet especially on social sites. I am very wary of photos as well. We see enough explicit behavior on television. We don't need to see you in a bathing suit in a provocative pose because surely your 'goods' should not be so readily availble on the world wide web.

I am especially concerned about the young ladies who seem to dedicate their lives to Facebook. They may spend hours on Facebook the same way that boys can become addicted to playing video games. While I don't believe that we take away Facebook from the children, we the parents ahve to stay close to them and monitor their usage. No child should stay on a computer for over 4 hours unless they are doing homework.

The internet is a useful tool that provides tons of information that we can use. Idle hands do not work well with the internet. We all want to be empowered so that we can grow and the internet provides ideas, information for research, self-help tips, news and so much more. We just have to use it wisely because it is a monster that is most difficult to tame.