During the run-up to elections, the voters must ask for what they need and hold their candidate accountable when he/she enters office. The term is five years and things must not be left to the run-up of elections when there is a hive of activities. Now is the time to Ask, Seek and Knock on the door of the politician you propose to vote for, so that when elected, he/she can begin to look into your needs from day 1. Let your needs be known.
What a world in which we live today? What is your world like? You have an opinion and so do I. Prior to March 2020, it was still easy to say it loud – what a wonderful world? A song made popular by the late, great, Louis Armstrong. I have always been accused of being an optimist. Some of my well-wishers at one time even called me a perpetual optimist. I don’t think they see the level of optimism now that they once saw in me just a few years ago. We are living in the most challenging times of our generation.  Although my optimism is waning, I am holding on, only because of my abiding faith in my Creator. However, I am fully convinced this too shall pass.
I have not been hearing anything in our local news about the severe flooding that is currently taking place in several regions of Guyana. The situation demands extensive relief efforts. It is nothing short of a Natural Disaster. There is substantial infrastructural damage that will cost billions of dollars to be repaired. It is time for us to pay some attention to the developments in Guyana and reach out to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. It is amazing how suddenly life can change from hope to despair.
As we continue to navigate through these difficult times, my simple advice is to stay in a positive state of mind and do the best we can as we move ahead with our lives. In this fast pace world, indecision is not an option. The clock is ticking and many of us claim that time is shortened. We will like to get so much more done in the limited time we have. An answer that was given to me some years ago was that time seems to be shortened because we are packing so many activities into a single day. Many of us are busier than we have ever been, and for most of us, that is the reality these days.
It is my sincere hope that the above headline will be a wake-up call to many, as it is very important to live a Purpose-Filled Life. When someone is able to answer that question, it sets the course for their life’s journey. The earlier it is answered, the better. This world is filled with DRIFTERS and when you are a drifter, you are a victim of negative forces. There is an old saying that the devil finds work for idle hands. A mind is a powerful tool that should not be wasted.
With all that is going on, there is a need for established associations such as the St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA), the Southern Business Association, St. Lucia Manufacturers’ Association, and the Realtors Association St. Lucia Inc. to aggressively represent the interest of operators in the sector. In spite of the pandemic, there are many things that can be done to ensure that small business persons can survive now, and beyond COVID 19.
Other professions within the Construction Sector are regulated – Valuation Surveyors, Land Surveyors, Engineers, and Architects, all these professions are governed by legislation. What is so different about Real Estate Agents, that there is no urgency to regulate their industry? The Realtors who promote their businesses through websites and on social media platforms make a serious contribution to promoting tourism and investment on behalf of St. Lucia. This further proves that Real Estate professionals should be recognised.
It is time for our political leaders in the region to open up opportunities to everyone with a story to tell, to share it with their immediate community and the rest of the world. Self Education/Knowledge Industry is the new multibillion-dollar industry that is currently emerging. I am bold enough to say that thousands of home-based businesses are possible to come on stream, beginning today, if we will find a way of bringing our great, and not so great minds together, to develop and implement ideas that will help to alleviate the unemployment scourge which is causing a decline in social standards. Â We can never provide the massive impact that is necessary to hit the core of the unemployment situation.
Let us for a moment look at the types of adjustments we have had to make in our lives as we sought to cope with the COVID 19 pandemic. The protocols demand that we adhere to 1. Washing hands. 2. Wearing Masks. 3. Maintaining social distancing. Those who practise the three foregoing protocols have in the main continue to save themselves and others. Not everyone is comfortable with wearing mask but the evidence has shown that it works. Washing of hands has brought about greater attention to personal hygiene. In the end, we will all benefit. Regarding social distancing, the nostrils have always been an area for dispersing germs including sneezing and blowing of the nostrils. Now, we are learning to keep our distance. However, many persons still insist on hugging, squeezing, and kissing rather than elbowing and fist jamming. We have made great progress; however, we still have a long way to go to be fully compliant with the protocols.
The challenge that is laid before the leaders of this world is for them to humble themselves and do what is right. The leaders, and by extension the people they govern must with one accord make a commitment to live righteous lives in peace and love. There are too many hidden agendas. When there is righteousness, nothing needs to be hidden from the people. Good governance is established in the laws of every nation, and good governance will always produce a blessed and happy nation.