Equality vs Equity

 Equality is not the same as Equity.

 

Our thoughts do control our destiny and what is for us will come through us.

 

And the most powerful person in your world is YOU. This is because you can either be a good God or a bad devil. When you meet your devil you can kick it out and replace it with the Divine Power within you.

 

Read Philippians 4:6 -Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

 

If these past 13 months taught us anything it would be how resilient we really are.

 

Set your own goals, or someone would set some for you.

 

Only you know what you truly need/want and only you know your true worth.

 

So, as of today, you determine what wealth is to you...

 

Ecclesiastes 10:19 says:-

"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."

 

And only you know how much money you really need, there is a difference between need and greed.

 

If you have 5 hundred, 5 thousand, 5 million, or 5 billion, you and only you can truly determine what is the correct amount for you.

 

When you chase money it develops wings and 'fly' away.

 

I watched a colleague spend $69,000 in less than a year and then wondered what it was spent on. I say, make a record of every penny you spend and you won't have to wonder.

 

So equality -the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.

And equity -that involves distributing resources based on the needs of the recipients.

The above are not the same...

 

Think about it.

The COVID 19 Vaccine.

 

In March 2020, it hit me hard. I was stuck at home without any indication of when I would be able to travel... everywhere was closed down due to Covid. It was like it had a mind of its own. Every time you turned on the television it was 'dread'. The number of deaths worldwide was staggering.

Every day you hoped for 'good news' or better news but no. It was the same thing over and over the number of deaths climbed. By mid-2020 it felt like Covid would spare us but no, the deaths continued. In my small country, we were praying and hoping for the rest of the world to turn around for the better. 

 We were all housebound. You could walk around your yard but confinement was pressing down on everyone. People could not run like they used to. They had assigned days to go to the grocery store. The governments and philanthropists stepped up to help those who were most destitute. Some people had not worked for more than six months. They had to do what they had never done before, depend on others for 'food' and livelihood.

 Then the end of 2020 came and there was talk about vaccines that would help to combat this 'disease' this virus that had wreaked so much havoc on the world's population.

 I looked at the light at the end of the tunnel and could not wait for the vaccine to reach my country. I followed what was happening in the other first-world countries closely [the positive].

 When the vaccines arrived in my country, I was elated. I wanted to be among the first to be vaccinated. But, living in an island nation, I knew it would be after the capitol city was introduced to the vaccine. I felt in my heart that the major islands would be next, and we were.

 On March 30 the vaccine arrived on our island. Despite all the talk by the people who said they were not taking it when I tried driving by the 'clinic' in my town I had to 'blow' my car horn to clear the road in order to pass. The same thing occurred on the 31.

 Well, I was not the first, nor second person to be vaccinated but on that second day 31 March, I was there and my entire immediate family received the first shot... I even put my aunt's name on the list and she was also vaccinated.

 I feel great. No pain.

 So, here's my advice to those of you who have not been vaccinated as yet... and to those of you who are skeptical, ask yourself the question would you rather be in a position to ward off the variants or would you want to be in the position of not knowing if you are infected whether or not you would live or die.

 Go back and check your medical records and see the number of vaccines your parents took you to have....measles, polio, and the number of times you were taken for a 'booster' shot. You who are now adults and have children of your own would you not want to give your children the chance that your parents gave you? Would you not want to be around as they are around...

 My suggestion to you...GET THE VACCINE!

Many People are Experiencing Hurt

 The Hurt That So Many People Are Experiencing...

When I was little my grandmother used to say that every 'crack teeth is not a smile'. Now I understand what she meant. You see so many people who 'show their teeth' as if they are happy. Many are not.

Many people give a 'fake' smile to throw others off. They don't really want anyone to know how much they are hurting.

I can recall the times when I saw some of my friends laughing out loud while in the crowd, but when they felt no one was looking the sadness took over. If you looked closer you could actually see the tears glistening in their eyes.

Despite all of this it is my belief that happiness starts within yourself. External factors may appear to contribute but it is always how you perceive and interact with whatever life throws at you.

In my profession as an educator, there were many days when I had to ensure that my students got something to eat. At times I would make sandwiches for them, purchase soups or just call home and ask one of my children to send me something for them. At other times I would just send a student to my home to fix something for a number of them to eat.

I made it a point to treat my homeroom class to a full meal as often as possible. I only asked that they pay it forward.

Today if we recall the parable of the Good Samaritan we will all remember that we are capable of doing good for anyone...

So, yea, in this Holy Week as we trace the walk from Palm Sunday through the crucifixion on 'Good Friday' to that Glorious Easter morn, let's remember that we are truly our brothers'/sisters' keeper.

Let's lift up those around us who are hurting.

God Bless.

Death...

 Right now, I reflect on death. Well, it is something that every family would encounter. 

Despite that fact, not all of us can say, 'I know how your feel.' It may not be the truth.

In the past four days, I learned about the death of one of my students, then within an hour about the death of a family member's mother, followed closely by news of the death of the mother of one of my dearest friends. 

Added to the deaths, because I live on a small island, I learned of friends who had to be flown to the capital city for medical reasons; heart attacks, respiratory discomfort, possible cancer. It seems as if everywhere one turns there are heartache and pain.

Yet there is a silver lining out there. There is a healer for the sick and a comforter for those in mourning. You may call Him God, Yahew, Jehovah, Allah, Jah... He is the one we can turn to for ultimate comfort.

In a week from Sunday Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ...That tells us there is hope.

There is life beyond the grave.

In All Things and in all Situations ... Give Thanks... Show gratitude.

 Well... in my Blogging, I had 14 December as my date to write. I did not. Why? My Facebook account was hacked.

Today, I am officially putting that behind me and allowing the Universe, Karma, God to take care of that 'hacker'.

It's March 22nd, 2021. A new day, a new week.

There is so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.

What are you grateful for?

Is it the fact that you are alive and in good health?

Is it the fact that you have someplace to live, be it a home of your own, an apartment, a room in someone else's home?

Is it the fact that you have access to the COVID 19 Vaccine?

Is it the fact that you are one of the lucky people who have had the vaccine?

Is it the fact that you are bringing value to someone else, be it an elderly relative, a child in need, a stranger who needs directions?

Is it a beautiful day, sunshine, rain, what is it?

Is it the fact that you were able to eat today?

Is it the ability to see, to hear, to smell the freshness around you, to feel the breeze/sunshine on your face, is it tasting that meal your family member just fixed?

Is it the fact that you can read? Understand what you read? 

Is it that you are in school, in the physical space instead of being home and using a device?

2020 showed us the creation that we can no longer take anything for granted.

Upon awaking do you now remember to say thanks for the present of a new day?

As you go through your day, do you thank the waitress who served you at your favourite restaurant that you can now eat at, although social distancing?

As the day becomes night do you say thanks for the fact that you are still alive?

Bottom line, has 2020 taught you to become more grateful than ever?

Think about these things and if you haven't, start giving thanks.

 

Where are you in your mindset?

My title may seem strange, but lately, I have been more in observation mode.

As it draws nearer to the Christmas occasions and the world is as yet hooked by the COVID emergency and political clashes, I search internally and I can't help thinking about what amount could be better if individuals were less childish. I comprehend the significance of dealing with yourself, however, I likewise comprehend that as people we are totally interconnected and reliant on one another.

Should my reliance on you be about me bringing in cash for me and mine? Does that not outskirt on utilizing and exploiting individuals? I am suggesting the conversation starter to empower further considering what we are doing? 

On the off chance that I carry you into my hover to make it greater and don't assist you with improving it for you, for what reason did I bring you? On the off chance that I put resources into your business and you just turn my 'cash' over in your grasp and analyze how little it is contrasted with another person, would you say you are reasonable in being open-minded toward me? I am just inquiring. Further, in the event that you are making mega monetary steps and I am attempting to get it, will be it reasonable for you to 'kiss your teeth' and allude to me as lethargic and deadbeat? Or on the other hand, would it be advisable for you to converse with me, contribute your time, to discover why I am not advancing as you feel I should? It's just plain obvious, time is of more incentive than cash, on the off chance that you put away your cash and lose it, you can get it back ultimately, yet when you contribute your time, you never get it back yet you offer an incentive to the individual in whom you contributed.

I am aware of individuals who go through hours helping individuals they don't have a clue, for reasons unknown other than to realize that they can identify with what Jesus stated, 'In as much as you've done it unto these the less of your sibling you did it unto me.' They spend endless hours assisting individuals with picking up monetary help for their families, who in any case would have nothing. Indeed, that well-known adage that 'a large portion of a portion is superior to no portion.' 

Who would you be able to help? Less fortunate relatives, more unfortunate neighbors, [I am alluding to neighbor as per Jesus' anecdote of The Good Samaritan] Or are you one of those individuals when given finances that are focused for the less fortunate in your locale, you provide for your loved ones who don't generally require it and state, 'Youngster my loved ones start things out', update, it was others' cash, not yours. OK let a family go hungry just to dazzle somebody who doesn't give a poo about you to be seen giving toys in essence to youngsters who will split them up inside hours and still have an unfilled stomach?

I don't know the answer to these questions, see I am still in observation mode.

What if members of your community are lined up to receive food from the people who are so generously giving and you have a cupboard overstock with goods that you and your family can't consume before spoilage? Would you not call them in secret and give it to them? Or would you be the one who has someone filming the 'gift' so that you can brag about it later to your friends? 

Your mindset should be reflecting on the value you can bring to others. Amassing wealth can be good when you share it with others and could be bad when you become stingy. I say remember the rich fool who was told in the parable, 'tonight your soul will be required of you, then whose would those things be'.

I don't have a clue about the response to these inquiries, see I am as yet in perception mode. 

Imagine a scenario where individuals from your locale are arranged to get food from the individuals who are so liberally giving and you have a pantry overload with products that you and your family can't burn-through before decay. Ok, not call them covertly and offer it to them? Or then again would you be the person who has somebody recording the 'blessing' so you can boast about it later to your companions? 

Your outlook should be thinking about the worth you can bring to other people. Gathering abundance can be acceptable when you share it with others and could be awful when you become closefisted. I state recollect the rich blockhead who was told in the story, 'this evening your spirit will be expected of you, at that point whose would those things be'.

Let's Say NO TO VIOLENCE to Anyone and Everyone... one life lost is too many.

 Let's Say NO TO VIOLENCE to Anyone and Everyone... one life lost is too many.

This Pandemic, COVID 19, has brought to light so many things that were hidden or swept under the carpet.

This has led us as a people to realize that there is more gender-based violence than we can ever imagine.

As an outlet for all young people, teens, young adults, older adults we should encourage people to write about it. You can write a piece of prose, a short story, a poem, a play whatever to get your idea across to help rid us of this problem. If writing is not your thing, do a drawing, just do something and share it with me and the rest of the group at - eleutherasaysno@gmail.com

No matter where you are, your input can change a life or save a life.

Think of people who are being 'bullied' in this lockdown and have no one to speak to. Think of those who are not used to being locked in 24/7. Those who no longer have a job and can't process what is happening to them. Those who never asked for help and now depend on food banks, the government food program, neighbors from home and abroad.

Let's look at the situation closer, the frustration of parents and children.

Not everyone would reach out to a friend for help, many would suffer in silence.

Again, please express your feelings in writing, drawing, photography whatever mode of expression that you can use. Email your pieces to us. The email again is ...eleutherasaysno@gmail.com.

I look forward to seeing your presentations.

God Bless you all.