As I see It

In memory of Cheryl Waterman

2011-01-25T09:31:00.003-04:00

It was a year and a few weeks between the date she was given the diagnosis and the day that we buried her. It was a year in which she lived to see many others pass and to tell me that she made peace with God. It was a year in which I felt compelled to go way outside of my comfort zone and traverse to and fro to the hospital even with my young children in tow. It is a year that I will never forget. It was 2010. That year began with vast devastation in Haiti and I was unable to properly comprehend how so many persons, over 200, 000 could die in a few seconds, and continued with our prime minister taking ill and dying within a few months of his diagnosis leaving a country in mourning. Yet Cheryl was my friend and death does not really make an impact on an individual until it intrudes their very domain. I watched her grow weaker so naturally I had expected that she will pass sooner rather than later but as I stood there looking at the grave I could not believe that she was gone. In the days after her death I inadvertently recalled the times we spent together and they were so clear and so vivid; how could she be dead. Sometimes on Sunday evenings the thought comes to me that Cheryl may call today then with a shock I recall that she can’t. I take comfort in the fact that we shared the same belief in Jesus Christ and that I did my very best for her when she was alive.

I will look forward to seeing her again when Christ returns for his own so until then I say Goodbye Cheryl.

Walking Naked - Life without Makeup

2010-07-01T18:03:00.001-04:00

It may have been a ‘moment in time’ in my life or the fact that the vacation was too good but I ate all kinds of the foods that I do not normally eat. I even tried foods that I have only heard about but never had a chance to try like Ackee and Salt fish (delicious!!). I now know that it may not have been the food, but my face had a bad acne breakout. After struggling for a short while I made my way to the doctor. She gave me gel to use and informed me that it will get worst before it gets better (promise) and I must not wear any makeup. It may take 8-12 weeks to see a difference, I was told. I was on vacation so I felt that all will be well after the 3 weeks when I was required to return to work. I was wrong!

I have always used foundation to hide the occasional breakout and horrible dark marks that the acne left behind. The acne did get worse, much, much worse and I had to go outside and face the world of work and church (places where I face the same people everyday) and I was told to do it without covering up. I was determined to follow the doctor’s advice so I walked around naked. Twelve weeks later it was substantially worse and did not appear to be getting any better. I was disheartened and ready to give up. (But this is an article on Walking Naked).

Along the journey, though, something very strange happened. Outside of the fact that persons were very kind and did not say anything, life continued as normal. I was not ostracized, shunted or made fun of.

I am not sure if it was as a result of people’s acceptance of me or that I have learnt not to be so self conscious but I found that I have learnt to accept myself, acne, spots and all. A few concerned persons at church eventually did show concern with the state of my face but this was after my acne outbreaks had reduced.

Now six months later the acne outbreaks are under control but the oily, shiny appearance is still with me. I no longer worry about it because I have come to realize that “Nobody really cared” that my face is shinny (except my mother) and I can continue my daily living as if my face was plastered with makeup. I now sport a young, dewy look as I walk naked.

The Frustration of Marketing/Selling my Book as a Self-Publisher

2010-01-04T16:09:00.023-04:00

There are stories on the internet that speaks to how easy it is to market your book and get your sales to soar.

I have not found this to be the case. Perhaps I do not spend the adequate amount of time but hey, I am a single mother of two very active boys with a full-time job.

I wrote a book that took me four years from start to finish as I was busy raising my boys and at times I had to wait on my editor as she was and is very busy. After I finally navigated my way through the process and the printed material was in my hands I jump started the process with a book launch party. That went very good. I had support from family and friends and my church was very helpful in providing the location. The members of my church supported me exceeding well and they bought some of the books. Although my work colleagues did not attend the book launch party I got most of my book sales from them. I am very grateful to have their support. Now that was the easy part.

Next I approached bookstores in my island and after many frustrating months and many rejects I managed to get 4 different bookstores to take my book. I was aware that the marketing would still be at me so I managed to get my picture in the paper with an article written about the book, I had a few speaking engagements (and many rejects) and after months of trying I managed to get myself on an early morning show in my island.

To keep the momentum going I uploaded my book to www.createspace.com which allowed me to have my book on www.Amazon.com. This was done after many weeks back at the editor as changes to the book trim had to be done. The actual upload did not take long and the site was easy to use.

Then I decided to start my very own website (www.tricksmydogtaughtme.com). I did this with the help of a friend and without him I could not have gotten it done. I was lost and frustrated most of the time. I then posted the site on free classified websites which resulted in emails from marketers flooding my inbox. I also paid for email blasts which drove about 50-60 hits to my website after each blast.

I invited persons to become members of my website. Most of them just ignored me. I started to blog and had my book site linked to the blog site, I got my website on search engines, I joined Facebook and put the information in the profile and I am on other social websites as well. Persons see me on Facebook and congrulate me for writing but no sales. Mostly I get persons wanting to add me to their list of friends.

I followed the rules that were given. Yet sorry to say my book sales have not soared as promised. I got most of my books sold at my work place and at church and then it dwindled down to nothing. Occasionally I would get a book sold but it is usually from persons who know me. Thank God for them. It has been one and a half years now since my book was launch and I have tried evrything that I was aware of to get it sold or better to get the sales to soar.

So here I am at the start of 2010 blogging about my frustrations on marketing/selling my book Tricks My Dog Taught Me – A Smart Woman’s Thoughts on Saving a Relationship. If you would, you can venture onto my site and have a read of the beginning of the book. Hopefully in 2010 I will have a better year where the sales will soar and many persons will visit my site and be moved to purchase my book. Cheers. My book web site - www.tricksmydogtaughtme.com.

10 Things that I am Grateful for Today

2009-07-02T15:22:00.003-04:00

There are many things to be grateful for but right now, right here I have challenged myself to think of 10 things that I am grateful for and to do it in 10 minutes.

1. That God loves me.
2. That both of my parents are still alive.
3. That I have two wonderful boys.
4. That I have a job that pays.
5. That I have freedom of worship.
6. That I have friends.
7. That I can speak to God at anytime and in any place.
8. That I have my health.
9. That it is summer.
10. That I will be on holiday next week.

Life is GREAT!!

That was too easy. It took only 3 minutes.

A Wasted Day

2009-05-27T14:26:00.002-04:00

I try and I try, I really try,
I plan, I scheme, I even fight,
I do, I hope for I am right,
But yet, I cannot.

I try again I do not quit,
I go and throw quite a fit,
I get angry, I do not sit,
But yet, I cannot.

Now I am mad so very mad,
I have failed and I am sad,
Why oh why a day gone bad,
But yet, I cannot.

Now I stop to think, to ponder,
A wasted day in which I flounder,
Forgetting to pray, trust and wait,
For without God, I cannot.
© Priscilla Carvalho, May 2009.

Four months after cutting my hair

2009-04-30T14:25:00.000-04:00

It has been four months since I cut my hair. How am I doing?

JUST GREAT!!! I do not believe it or could I imagine that I could feel so free.

So that you may understand my babbling I will have to make a confession. I straightened my hair. There, I said it. My mother started with the processing of my hair when I was 11 years old and I spent my entire adult life thereafter doing just that. I could not image a life without processed hair. Every 6-7 weeks I HAD TO GO to the hairdresser to get it straightened otherwise it became unmanageable, it started to break and it got fussy etc. Before I went to have it straightened, I had to wash it at least a week in advance, so I had to keep track of the weeks. With a full time job and being a single mother of two boys who lives alone, getting to the hairdresser was a struggle. I would say all the time that I was a slave to my hair. Oh did I mention that I could not wash it myself? At the point of cutting my hair I was just at my wits end. Now four months and 3 more haircuts later I finally feel like the weight has lifted. It is dawning on me what a burden it was to be straightening my hair.

At first I was excited by the brand new look. This turned to sadness as I became accustomed to the look and I felt that there could be no change. Now I am on the top of the world. I can wash it myself and it still looks good, I can get it combed in less than 30 seconds and get away without combing it on weekends. I do not have to consider the wind, rain or even the sea. For the first time since I was a child I was able to really relax in the sea. I lay floated and did as it pleased me while at the beach.

The main benefit to the hair cut it that I feel that I am not living a lie anymore. No more working so hard to give an image that was not really who I was. No more deception of what my hair is really like. I am now FREE!

12 Things that You Miss when You are Rushing Around

2009-04-16T13:56:00.006-04:00

1. The smell of a fresh morning with a chill in the breeze.
2. The beauty of a garden filled with flowers, bees and yellow-breasted humming birds.
3. The joy of listening to your children at play.
4. Spreading joy with a smile.
5. The ego boost that comes from pampering yourself.
6. Ideas that come to you from the small things around you.
7. The joy of writing down your thoughts.
8. Feeling beautiful.
9. Eating healthy.
10. Meaningful Conversation.
11. Teaching important lessons to your kids.
12. Meditating on the Word of God.

What I learnt from a Dog

2009-03-25T16:35:00.007-04:00

Tricks My Dog Taught Me.

If you love and own a dog or have owned one at some point in time then you will know how very beautiful there is a relationship that can assist between the dog and yourself. There were always dogs in my family. I recall there being a dog around the house from the time I was about 4 or 5 years old. Many tragedies have occurred over the years with the dogs but that did not stop us from owning a dog, so special is the relationship.

After I got married, had kids, subsequently divorced and moved into my own home, almost in that order, I bought my five-year-old son a dog for his birthday and then I got the same dog for my second child who was turning one year old at the time. Their birthdays are one week apart so there was one party. The household felt complete. That dog was so much a part of the family.

One day as I took my breakfast outside on the porch my dog ran up to me wagging his tail. At that very moment I had a thought. What if we as women could be this happy to see our spouses, our other half, wouldn’t this lead to a better relationship?

I explored this theory and wrote a book. Included in the book is an experiment I conducted as well as interviews that I did with men. My book is entitled Tricks My Dog Taught Me – A Smart Woman’s Thoughts on Saving a Relationship.

You can find an extract from the first chapter and get an opportunity to buy the book at www.tricksmydogtaughtme.com . It will enhance your relationship and it has done for hundreds of persons already.

Life without Television or Video Games

2009-02-23T16:02:00.003-04:00

So the New Year has opened. One of those critical examinations that we have to do in life is looming and my kids are spending time staring at the television. I speak, I instruct, I give good reasoning explanations but they turn deaf ears to me. “Just until this program finishes or we just started the game or I cannot pause this game” are the replies that I hear. These replies went for everything that I had asked them to do and I was unable to get them to really setting and do homework, housework, to get dress or even to eat. I felt that I was fighting an unforeseen demon which was strong, powerful and had control of my children.

In total frustration I declared no television or video games until the summer holidays. My youngest (age 6) went through withdrawal symptoms. He begged, pleaded and even cried for days. I am not a cruel mother so I allowed the television on Friday nights, which is our family night and we do what we want just as long as we do it together. Then I started to see changes in ways that I did not expect. My youngest brought out a puzzle and because it was a 200 piece he asked for help. It turned into an extraordinary family time together. Then one morning he picked up a book that I had to force him to read the night before and started to read it. That was a miracle!!! He NEVER volunteered to read, ever! My oldest even helped me to hang out clothes without the urgency of returning inside that resulted in a poor job.

For me, the lack of constant blaring noises, the fact that the children actually hears me now and responds, that they are not so antagonistic about performing duties and the quality time that we actually spent together is God sent. They are forced to become more creative and to entertain themselves.

The only draw back is that they constantly want me to play with them now.

Earlier Morning Sound in Barbados

2009-02-09T15:08:00.003-04:00

Hello, On one of my morning walks I recorded the beautiful sounds of birds in the morning. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

On cutting my hair

2009-02-03T13:09:00.006-04:00

So there I was two weeks before my 41st birthday sitting in the hairdresser’s chair. My mother is calling me to ask if it is over yet and the other customer is staring at me with her mouth opened wide. I was cutting off almost all of my hair. I always had long hair and reports have always informed me that I had lovely hair. I am conservative by nature and never dared to cut off my hair or try any real styles. But it was time for change.

I was feeling pressured in a schedule of work, kids’ activity and hairdresser appointments and I was sinking. Then three people that I knew died suddenly in a space of three weeks (two just dropped down dead and one had a stroke and died a week later). Layouts were imminent at the company where I work and no one knew who will stay or who will go.

I had always wanted to try a short spiky look so I though I would go for it. Let go of the pass. Look forward to the future. As the hair fell away the hairdresser asked me if I wanted to keep it. I did not. That would be holding on to the pass so I left it all at her place.

I was a little fearful of the responses that I would get especially from those who wanted me to swear I would NEVER cut my hair. I devised phrases and countermoves to answer the attacks. Then I ventured out into the new world. I had all kinds of comments and fortunately most were good. I even got more appreciation comments than usual from the ‘guys’.

I feel powerful now as I sport my new look. I even feel more classy, beautiful and stylish. I love the look and the easy and convenience that comes with being able to handle my own hair. People think that I did it as a new look for a new year but I did it because I could.

In a way it has strengthened me for 2009 with constant reminders of the recession, lost of investments and job loses. If I could cut my hair and survive then I am ready to face 2009, of course with God’s help.

How Beautiful is Beautiful

2009-01-29T10:57:00.004-04:00

One Sunday every month I am scheduled to work with the babies at my church – Love and Light Ministries, in Barbados – and it is advisable to wear a pants. I had bought a blouse specifically for this task as I thought it would be suitable yet fashionable. I decided to wear it one Sunday in January especially since my two boys told me how lovely I had looked in it the last time I wore it. Personally it is not the type of blouse that would be my first choice when buying but as I said the criteria was appropriate for church and fashionable.

At the end of the service as I was packing up and cleaning up a friend in church told me how lovely the blouse looked. (So that totaled at least three people who told me this.) It made me think of just what is beautiful. I know that the blouse that I was wearing was similar to what this lady will wear. So yea she will find it beautiful.

There are so many variations in this world in all categories – cars, clothes, houses, shoes, bags etc. – and all seem to have an owner. And why is this? It is because we all see beauty differently and often what we consider beautiful comes as a result of how we were socialized and our personal tastes.

So why be bound by what we see on the television or in magazines that defines beauty. That is their version of beauty that they want to push on the rest of us, just so that we can buy the product. So be bold and step out with confidence knowing that your choice in life is BEAUTIFUL!

One Way to Handle the Recession

2009-01-15T14:45:00.008-04:00

It is a fact that the world is in a recession. What are we to do? There are days I feel overwhelmed by what is happening; the “bread winners” in families losing their jobs, banks reclaiming houses, banks having to be bailed out, Developed Nations not being able to raise the funds that they require in a bond issue, fear on every turn.

I have decided that I will handle the recession by giving. Yes, I said giving. I will give of my ideas to others to help them get or maintain a job. I will give of my time to assist those less fortunate and I will give money to those that are in need. I know within myself that God’s word is true. In the Christian Bible in the King James Version it says in Ecclesiastes 11:1 "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days". I do believe that the more that I give the more I will receive because God is a faithful and just God.

In this time of scarcity I tell myself (it takes some convincing) that I have enough for others who are in need, my children and me. I believe that more will come my way the more that I give to others.

The spin off this giving is that I feel so great!! It makes my days happier.

New Year Resolutions

2009-01-01T08:43:00.007-04:00

It is that time of the year for New Year resolutions. Here are mine:

1. To see things that happens in life differently i.e. to view life with new eyes. Instead of saying “Oh another pimple”, I shall say “Thank God for acne cream and foundation makeup” and move on.
2. To see failure as a stepping-stone to success. A good attitude and determination to rise again is required!
3. To stop worrying over the small things even if they appear to be large problems. “That to shall pass”.
4. To have the Faith that as a believer in Jesus Christ I have the promise in Romans 8:28 in the Christian Bible that says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
5. To recall that if I know how to worry I know how to pray (Oh boy, how much more prayers I will say in one day!)
6. To dedicate more time to pray. (This follows naturally from point five). Instead of seeking a human ear to listen to my problems I know that I always have the ear of God Almighty anytime day or night.
7. To offer everything that I am and have to God for him to use to his Glory. It is fruitless trying to hold on to what we have and to build wealth if God is not keeping us. Look at the great financial losses and lives that occur in 2008. The true and living God is the only one that preserves.

Put God first and you will have a happy and prosperous new year.

Food Cupboard People

2008-12-30T13:54:00.004-04:00

I have noticed that they are at least two types of Food Cupboard People. Food Cupboard People are people who have to manage the food in the food cupboards in their lodging and are also responsible for providing a meal for themselves and their family. There are some of us who believe that there is never any food in our cupboards even if there is food and some of us who believe that there is always food in the cupboard even if it is a morsel of food. By the way, these two types of persons are people who generally have the means to have food in their cupboards.

I was speaking to a friend of mine one day and she said she always have to go to the supermarket. I enquire to why this was the case to which she said that she never have food in her cupboard. I, on the other hand, try NOT to go to the supermarket too often in the month as I have a strong sense that I ALWAYS have food in my cupboard. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that when I open my cupboard I will find a meal for my children and me. Being a Food Cupboard Person that believes food is ALWAYS in my cupboard I do find a meal every time I open my cupboard.

Firstly, I try to keep my supermarket visits to a minimum for financial reasons. Every time that I visit the supermarket I buy more than I had intended and with rising food costs this means less money that I can save to invest. When I do not visit the supermarket I am force to be creative with the food that I already have in my cupboard. This brings me to my second point, which is why I always have food in my cupboard, or at least why I feel this way. This is as a result of me using the food in the cupboard in creative ways to provide delicious meals. Food can be prepared in different ways with the use of different ingredients to provide a new flavour to an old dish or surprise (!) a new dish.

I do one large shopping a month and I try to let it last. I buy what we like to eat and stock the cupboard on the monthly shopping so I reckon that we should like what we have in the cupboard. I replenish fruits, vegetables and ground provisions at a vendor where ever possible so as not to have to go into the supermarket. I use what I have in my cupboard and I clean out the refrigerator often creating new meals. I could be a gourmet cook! Well, just two weeks ago I made a corn beef and sweet potato roti and it was delicious!!

I thank God that children come into this world small giving me the opportunity to train their taste buds. So my food combinations are eaten for the most part.

How to be strong by standing still

2008-12-20T10:08:00.008-04:00

In the secular world it is believed that if we work longer and longer hours we accomplish a lot – we get better paying jobs, we are raised into positions of more status and responsibility, which carry the luxuries, and this is what we call being successful. If we push more weights while we exercise we build more muscles and we become more beautiful. If we study harder we are smarter.

But that is the way of this world. God’s ways are the complete opposite to ours and while we continue to work harder and longer to accomplish what we want before we died we find ourselves more stressed, visiting the doctor and take pills more often, consuming alcohol in larger portions, doing drugs (which is illegal in some countries), running from one woman/man to a next and never seeming to find that happiness that is everlasting. We are constantly searching.

Why is this? It is because this is the way the world tries to solve its problems and exalt itself but a look at the scriptures tells us that this is not the way to happiness or to serving God.

But first, a belief in the true and living God is required. Hebrews 11:6 says “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Then the way we grow strong and be happy is to serve God. Psalm 46:10 God says, “Be still, and know that I am God:”

And in James 1:2-4 the apostle Paul says “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

The world goods and all it has to offer is only temporal and does not offer true happiness and added to that our hearts are failing from fear in all realms. You can be strong by waiting on the Lord Jesus of Nazareth. Psalm 27:14 says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

The way to be strong is by being still and waiting on the Lord.

All scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Christian Bible.

Changing a Perspective

2008-12-05T15:12:00.002-04:00

It is said that you do not get a second chance to make a first impression.

While this is true and an individual should always behave in a manner that will depict who and what he/she is like and what he/she is about, I will argue that there are second chances. As a human being with the power to conform, change your perspective and have new beginnings we are given chances to change our image from a bad one to a good one.

But what happens when we have made a good impression at first, or we have a good reputation that gets tarnished over time or from a foolish act? How can we then “Chance the Perspective” of the people around us or the public? Human Beings can have very short memories and operate in a manner such that you can do good things all the time and they will hardly notice but the moment that you have done something that they do not like, you are seen as the worst person to have existed.

To regain the good ground where on you formerly stood requires work. Here are a few things that can be done:

· Begin with a plan of where you want to go, what perspective you want known.
· Apologize for your behavoiur and be sincere.
· Do not try to cover the obvious wrong with misconceptions. People are not foolish.
· Be patient and work diligently at your plan.
· Remember that what ever you do they are always going to be a few people who are not going to like you anyway. Get over it.

"Hi Beautiful"

2008-11-05T15:55:00.001-04:00

Last week I went to town. I was wearing a T-shirt and a jeans pants with ordinary blue shoes. I did not think I was attractive on that day, just busy. I was walking hurriedly about my business but once in a while I was greeted with the comment "Hi Beautiful".

That is always a good comment and at my age I considered it a GREAT comment. But what does it really mean? For me, it means that I have accomplished a look that is attractive. The old adage says that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". So I believe that these men find me to be attractive. Yet I ask myself why are they basing their comment on looks? How do they know that I am beautiful?

It is the culture on the island that I live for men to comment as women pass their way. As I replied to their comments I guess they have accomplished being noticed for a brief moment by someone they find attractive. But beauty is really in the inside and some truly beauty people are not physically attractive.

Nevertheless it is good to be noticed and called beautiful once in a while.

So "Hi" to all those who do not feel they are beautiful on the outside. You are beautiful!

The principle of a "Little" Part 3

2008-10-15T08:30:00.003-04:00

This is a continuation of the list of things in my life that applies to the Principle of a Little. See The Principle of a "Little" Part 1 & 2.

6.Writing a book
I speak on this only because I have just published my first book - Tricks My dog Taught Me – A Smart Woman’s Thoughts on Saving a Relationship. This can be found at www.createspace.com/3345551 or www.Amazon.com. Being a single mother of two young boys, an engineer and a homeowner I never have enough time. But I followed the Principle of a Little and after 4 ½ years I had my book published, and I self published it. It meant writing when I had a chance so I always walked with a notebook and a pen. It meant doing the research a little at a time and being patience with myself. It meant having the drive to keep at the project after a year had passed and nothing was really accomplished. It meant having a little more motivation each time.

7.Training children
It is a slow brainwash, I think, and if you have goals for your children such as principles you want to instill, a religious believe you want them to learn, then you have to go at it everyday (almost) in small portions and eventually they will get it, they really do. When I hear my children repeating my language and principles to others I know that I am succeeding. My goal is that my kids will be the best that they can be.

This principle, however, does not apply to a ladies handbag.

The principle of a "Little" Part 2

2008-10-01T20:27:00.003-04:00

This is a continuation of the list of things in my life that applies to the principle of a Little. See part 1.

3. Exercising
In order to keep fit it is important to exercise, especially as you age and find that you spent more time sitting behind a computer. The best way to start is with 10minutes a day doing something that you like. After a while you will find that your body has grown stronger and you feel inspired to do more. Then do more! If this is adopted as a life style and not just to accomplish an objective such as losing weight, then a little every day will help you to be healthy and to accomplish your goal.

4. Knowledge accumulation
Ah, this is one of my favourites. If you find that you develop an interest in a new topic or have taken up a new hobby, you will want to acquire knowledge. Having the necessary books, pamphlets, and publications in your possession, on your point of interest is a good way to start. With the mass of information in front of you, you now start to feel overwhelmed. Recall a little goes a long way. Read 10 minutes every day (as you wait for your ride to work, before you drop off to sleep, in the doctors office) and you will surprise yourself at how much you know on the topic before long. I did this on a topic outside of my field of education and the fields of the educated persons around me and after a while I found I was able to offer advise.

5. Reading a book
This follows from knowledge accumulation but the difference is that it is just a book that you find interesting and you want to read it. In our busy lives, who has time to read for leisure? I do because I practice the Principle of a Little and although I do not get loads of books read in a month by the end of the year I have read quite a few.

Part 3 of this article will be published next week.

Faith is like a Muscle

2008-09-23T12:51:00.007-04:00

I have come to believe that "Faith" is like a muscle. Why is this? Having muscles allows us as humans to walk, run, sit, laught, etc. In training for any physical competition and even a mental competition we have to excercise so that we can build the required muscles. We have to practise for the event and we have to do that often. Practicing every day leads to greater results. We can get bigger, stronger muscles faster with daily exercise.

Faith in God I think is very much like this. We have to practise believing in Him and his Love for us. The more trials that we encounter where we have to place ourselves in the loving care of God, through Jesus Christ, and have the faith to know that he is there and will look after us, regardless of the circumstances, the more our faith grows. It takes practice and just as we prepare for an event through training to build physical muscle, we can build our faith muscle to prepare us for any event.

The Christian bible says in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6 "But without Faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him". The added benefit of faith in God is recorded in Phillipians chapter 4 verses 6-7 which says; " 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

There is a peace that is experience by having faith in God. I know about it. (All scriptures are taken from the King James version of the Bible).

A cheery "Good Morning" - How I felt

2008-09-18T08:12:00.013-04:00

I make it a point to speak to everyone that I pass irrespective of the time of day. I do not care about the colour of their skin, their creed or position and why should I? I am a mere moral and the Christian Bible says in Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. King James version.

I have found the there are those persons regardless of the number of times that you see have them in a day, a week or a month they are always "Surviving", " Trying", "Holding On", "Trying to Make it"and even "Struggling". It is so depressive to hear them talk. It makes me feel like shouting.

Then there is another group of persons that pretends not to see you. I am speaking here of people that you see on a regular basis, sometimes daily. Then there is the cheery group. Unfortunately this group usually include the smallest amount of persons. What a shame, I love this group of persons!

While exchanging greetings at the start of a morning meeting at work one of my colleagues shocked (and I mean shocked) me when to my response of "Good Morning and how are you today" he actually said he was very good and he said it in an upbeat cherry voice. I was taken aback momentarily but being determined not to lose this change to delve behind the scenes I asked him why he was so joyful this morning. Up until this point everyone who entered the meeting had an attitude of not wanting to be there but had no choice. He replied that he is always upbeat as there is no reason not to be.

Regardless of the reason he had, I can say that it lifted my spirits, it made me feel good and every thing felt better even if only for a moment. In this age of stress and more meetings it is good to have people smiling. It is not something that goes around too easy as we hurry about our day trying to meet deadlines, take care of the kids and still have to plan the next move in our lives.

So go ahead, smile at the next person that you meet, greet them with a cheery greeting and have your spirits lifted. You may even lift that persons spirits and who knows where that can lead. Even if the other person does not respond don't be put off track, try another person. We can all do with a lift.

How I saw the Love of God in an Umbrella

2008-09-18T08:12:00.010-04:00

I was about to set off on my morning walk when I glanced up at the sky. I usually do this because the sky offers so many lovely pictures and that morning was no different. It was a beautiful cloudly day. The clouds looked like storm clouds. It was unusally dark with the street lights still on, as the clouds hid the light of the rising sun. I was determined to continue on my exercise routine so I grabbed an umbrella that I keep close to the door.

Well into my journey a few drops started to fall. At that moment I though of how confidently I ventured out into the morning without a second thought of rain and that was because I was armed with an umbrella. Then my thoughs turned to how this umbrella was like the Love of God. I can venture out into this life without a second thought because I know that God loves me and I am assured of his protection as I take comfort from his word.

Proverbs chapter 30 verse 5 says "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him". (King James version of the Christian Bible) and

Psalm 5:12 says
"For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." This verse gives me so much comfort.

The rain started to fall very heavily with 5 minutes left to go before I arrived home. Without losing stride, I adeptly manuver the umbrella to an open state. Athough my swinging hand got drops of rain on it I knew I was protected. This is just like my God. He shields and protects me even if life tries to splatter me with "drops" of distressing and devasting circumstances. I am assured that God will protect and I am not being hit with the full blow.

In Psalms chapter 37 and verse 25 the psalmist David said " I have been young and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread". What more can I want. God Loves me so much that he took the time to record his promises to me so that I can be comforted daily.

By the time I arrived back home the street lamps were still shinning. At that time they would have usually gone to sleep for the day resting until they go to work at night. I was glad to be in from the rain and I was estatic that I had keep up my excercise but what made me even more happy was that God always is there with me even in the rain.

The principle of a "Little" Part 1

2008-09-16T13:12:00.017-04:00

I have divided this blog into three parts in order to keep it to a readable length. Enjoy.

One of the many things that I have learnt in this life is the Principle of a "Little". This comes from the old adage that "a little goes a long way". Unfortunately we only use this principle for a small number of things in our life. Here is a list of some of things that I have found aptly applies: -

1. Investments
If you want to secure your future financially you HAVE to put aside a little of each set of money that you received. When this pile grows big enough you HAVE to invest it in an avenue that generates money such as mutual funds, shares or a rental property. Never think that you need a lot of money to invest. That is so wrong. When I left school I started an insurance policy called an endowment. At the time it was a small amount, which I did not increased or decreased. Before I knew it the years had passed, which they will, and I had amassed thousands of dollars. Even if you have not put aside money the years will still pass. A little every month grew.

2. Dieting
I do not believe in a person starving him/herself. Dieting to me is a way of life. It is the way that you eat every day. It is making small but continuous changes in the foods that you eat to adjust for aging and a change of life style. If you want to lose weight, increase your protein intake for building muscle, reduce your cholesterol etc. you have to eat what is required. In order not to become to devastated or to have the feeling of hopelessness, it is a good idea to change a little of your current diet one item at a time. For example drink more water and less drinks with sugar.

Part 2 of this article will be published next week.

Sunrise in Barbados

2008-09-03T08:39:00.006-04:00

I was out on my morning walk on Tuesday in the month of September, 2008 when I was confronted with these beautiful images of the sky in Barbados at Sunrise. It was around 5:45 am.

I have found that the best sunsets and sunrises seem to occur during the hurricane season. On this particular day there were two reported hurricanes, one storm forming and one depression both of them just off the African coast.

I only had my cellular phone but I was able to capture these beautiful images. The pictures were taken of both the eastern and western sky on that morning. Look carefully for the small rainbow in one of the pictures.

ENJOY.

A new use for eye drops

2008-08-25T14:32:00.012-04:00

I have heard that using the eye drops that remove the redness from your eyes can be used to remove the redness from a pimple. I decided to try it. I am not sure that it reduced the redness but it did reduce the length of time that it took for the pimple to be reduced in size and to heal.

At one time (not so long ago) I use to get large pimples that were red, painful and showed themselves in a bold manner on my face. With the use of the eye drops (and I bought one for my face exclusively) and the rest of my acne products I have found a remedy that works for me. If applied at night, mixed with an acne spot cream you will find that on awakening the next morning that horrible pimple is less painful, less red and their is an obvious reduction in size.

Since I found that some of the foods that I was eating (Please see my article "Can food cause acne") was causing an outbreak of acne I have changed my diet but an occasional pimple still raises its head and I have to act swiftly.

It worked for me.

A new use for stockings

2008-08-07T22:22:00.004-04:00

One day as I was pressing I was very frustrated that yet another load of clothes were accidentally washed with a piece of tissue paper hiding in a pocket. I stood there with my pile of clothes to press and wondered if I really had to re-wash these dark clothes to get the lint removed. In desperation I grabbed a stocking that was nearby and started to wipe it across the fuzz that was on the clothes. To my great surprise the fuzz started to move and in no time it was all gone. I have since added an old stocking, that I have formed into a ball for easy of use, as one of my essential pieces of equipment stored near the iron.

In the case that spray starch is required while pressing, I have found that this assists in removing the fuzz with the stocking. The fuzz comes off easier.

To remove the fuzz I lay the clothes flat on the ironing board as if I am about to press and rub the fuzz using the stocking ball.

Can food cause Acne?

2008-08-07T22:20:00.009-04:00

There are certain schools of thought that claim that foods do not cause acne and others have said that certain foods do. I have adult acne. I have struggled for years with an outbreak three out of four weeks in a month. When my face got cleared it seem to be only for a few days before another one appears again. It is true that I did not have a terrible case of acne but it was constant and painful. I especially got them on my chin and cheeks which lasts for over a week, was very obvious and very painful for days. People would even comment on them.

Occasionally I get facials done. The lady suggested that I refrain from milk and nuts. I did not believe her, so I did nothing. Then another friend suggested that I use Almond milk instead. I did. My face cleared up. It is amazing. If I eat cheese or drink milk the next day a pimple comes up. I still eat nuts. It appears too that I am lactose intolerant.

My face has cleared up. I still get an occasionally pimple but they are few and far apart. I continue to use my acne produces as usual so when the pimple starts it clears up in 1/3 of the time and is not painful.

How a cheery "Good Morning" made me feel

2008-08-07T09:22:00.018-04:00

Greetings from the Isle of Barbados

2008-08-05T22:29:00.001-04:00

HELLO!!!

Greetings from the beautiful isle of Barbados. It is an island 166 square miles with a population of approximately 270,000 people. It is summer all year. We have two seasons - dry and wet. Currently in the month of August we are in the wet season. Around this time of year we keep a close eye on the weather as Barbados is in a hurricane area. We are 13 degrees north of the equator and temperatures rise to a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius.
Attached at some pictures that I took of my island. Enjoy.

Do Babies make you fat?

2008-08-05T22:27:00.009-04:00

In my world it is believed that after you have a baby you become fat and out of shape with lots of fat around the waist. You do not have any option and have to be resigned to this fact. Is this true? Do we have to accept this point o view?

I dare to say no. We do not have to resign to this view or to the fact that the weight that we gain during pregnancy has to become a permanent part of our physique.

The fat that your body gains when you are expecting a baby is meant to feed your baby after it is born. That is why breast feeding is so important. It no only helps to reduce the size of the uterus but the fat is broken down and fed to the baby. When the baby is born and you eat healthy and eat the serving for one person - yourself and not the baby too - you will lose the baby fat. When breast feeding, you do not have to eat twice as much. The fat will feed the baby.

So with a healthy diet, some exercise and breast feeding for as long as you can after the baby is born, you will lose the baby fat and it will drop off quickly too.

Having a baby does not made you fat but unhealthy eating and eating large portion does.

Is 35 a magic number or is it all in my head?

2008-08-05T22:25:00.000-04:00

After the age of 35 years it is all down hill?

I found that at the age of 35 I did not have the physical energy that I had before. I felt my metabolic rate slowed. I felt that I walked slower, was less motivated to go physical activities and had to force myself to exercise. Even after exercising I no longer had the 'pep' to keep going. Let's say that I do not want to climb that volcanic mountain on the isle of St. Vincent that I did at the age of 18.

I also found that I hurt myself more, have more aches and pains and want to sit rather than stand.

I mentioned this to my General Practitioner (doctor) and she said that she noticed it within herself as well. I also spoke to my dentist who said that she noticed it as well.

I also mentioned it to my father who said that it is all in my head since people think that 35 is half of 70, which the christian bible says is the allocated time that God gives us.

Is 35 a magic number or is it all in my head?

A 40 year old virgin

2008-08-05T21:48:00.000-04:00

I was introduced to it not very long ago, today to be exact. A male friend of mine instructed me on what to do. Needless to say, I was very excited and I had to try it as soon as the light of the day faded and of course, after the kids were put to bed and I had time to myself. It took me a while to get it right, to figure out all the steps and at one point I was very fustrated.

I though about giving up and consulting my friend for further instructions but I remained silent and continued to try to get it done. The old adage of "Preseverance Never Fails" proved to be true once again. I did take a break to have a cup of tea and broke my resolve to never eat after 7pm and had a few (not many) Ginger Nut cookies. On returning to the process I will say I was greatly rewarded and very satisfied.

"Not yet used" is one of the meanings given in the Oxford dictionary for a virgin. That's me. I have never blogged before and at 40 I have now started. I know that I will enjoy it.

This is my introductory blog and I am very excited.