Been there, Done that, Moved On....

There is none perfect, no not one. Living a healthy, happy life isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about recognising and accepting the fact that life isn’t perfect but deciding to have faith and be happy and optimistic anyway. It’s about the daily choice of choosing to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. It’s about appreciating what you do have instead of envying others. It’s about working hard or smart for what you want rather than sitting idly and complaining.

So

Crappy job – been there

Unhealthy relationship/friendship – been there

Broke – been there

Yeah I have been there, done that and moved on. Sometimes we come back there. Sometimes it’s our fault, sometimes it’s just life and circumstances. However, please note, we should never settle there – keep it moving, and move on! (Does this make sense? I hope so.)

Have you ever observed ants – you can place obstacles in their way, divert their path, destroy their nests....and they simply move on, rebuild, start over. Don’t dwell on the past...you can’t change it.  You do however have a tremendous amount of power and control to 'press on to the greater achievements of the future.'

So the guy or girl who broke your heart – guess what? Living well is the sweetest revenge.

The crappy job – opportunities are everywhere you just need to open your eyes and see what’s available.

Broke – Change your mindset, give of your time and talents and you will be amazed at what will come back to you.

When you ‘settle’ emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially – you limit your happiness and that’s just not good sense.

Starting today, let one of your mantras be ‘Been there, done that, moved on!’

Let's Race against Aids!

HIV, AIDS, STI’s – words not generally used in our everyday conversations but words which can change a person’s life forever.

We had a planning meeting for Anguilla’s Race against AIDS today. I did not know that this meeting would result in an hour long discussion on HIV/AIDS and that I would walk out of the Optimist Clubhouse with added awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS.  I thought I knew a lot but as I learn everyday there is always so much more to learn.  Like Cancer, more and more families are being touched by HIV/AIDS but it is still less widely discussed and accepted.

World AIDS Day is on December 01, 2011. Anguilla's Race against HIV/AIDS will be held on November 26^th, 2011. Race categories include  the 1k, 5k, 10k and half marathon. I am encouraging each of you to get involved in the Race or in another activity which will help to bring greater awareness about this epidemic.

I am also encouraging you to take control of your personal life today. Get tested today. Don’t say yes to sex until after you and your partner have gotten tested. Use a condom every time. These are simple steps to help protect yourself and those you love.

Around us though are many people who may be HIV positive. Some we know and some we don’t. We need to continue to develop and encourage an attitude of tolerance, understanding and support for those who are infected and in the open and also for those who are afraid to come out in the open because of fear of being ostracised.

HIV/AIDS thankfully is no longer an automatic death sentence. With the right medication, a healthy lifestyle and plenty of support individuals can live a long and fruitful life.

Nevertheless, you can and should protect yourself from this disease. Abstain, use protection, get tested – simply be responsible.

I encourage you to make wise, safe and healthy choices starting today.

Join motivated and passionate members of the community for the Race against AIDS on November 26th, 2011. I will be on the starting line - the girl in the black tights and Race Againt Aids T-shirt :). SET, READY, GO - See you there!

How to make a choice to stay positive

Hi everyone

Do you agree that life is all about choices? I certainly do. We make choices daily. Should I wear heels or should I wear flats? Should I wake up at 5:30am to exercise or should I sleep in until 7am? Should I attend a class, seminar or workshop or should I stay home and watch Operation Repo or Real Housewives of New Jersey?  Sounds familiar?

We all make these and many more choices daily and the choices we make shape our lives and impact our future. Many times we create our own problems, our own drama, our own negative situations but too many times we don’t want to take responsibility for our choices and our actions.

Blaming others will get you nowhere. I always loved the saying, ‘if you are not part of the solution; you are the part of the problem’. Many of us are our own worst enemy and accepting that fact is an important step to allow us to move forward daily.

So what about trying to change your mindset, the way you think? Yes, with the recession, things are hard. Yes, you have bills and children to take care of. Yes, dreaming big can be scary. These things are all true but dare to dream big and have a vision. Then translate your dream into reality by taking small steps or big steps to get you to where you want to be.  Seek to improve yourself in some way every day!

I look around me and I see persons who are striving for success despite the recession. I see these persons when I attend youth ambassador meetings and leadership training sessions. I see them at places like the National Conference on Youth and Development and I see them taking classes and seminars like my Personal and Professional Development Course and many others.

There is tremendous value in investing in you and there are so many opportunities to do that around us. So decide to get fit, decide to take a class, decide to get involved and decide to change your attitude towards your life and your future. Do it today.

Operation: BABY

'Guys....my water just broke.' We all went quiet in the BBM group chat before we exclaimed with joy and wonder ‘Operation Baby is underway.’

It probably is presumptuous of me to write a blog entry about the joys and challenges of motherhood noting the fact that I am not a mother. However, like so many wonderful women out there, I am fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to nurture and interact with children who I adore.

I listen to mothers' speak including my own mom and the love they feel for their children regardless of age is so evident. A mother’s love is all encompassing....indescribable, uncontainable......

Motherhood is a tremendous responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Mothers have so much on their plate and when you are a single mom, that helping is often quadrupled. Your role isn’t easy and despite this some of you have raised some terrific children. Some children despite our best effort, from two parent homes or single parent homes, though may choose a less desirable road. These children are not lost children but simply children who need added support, encouragement, guidance and love.

I speak to amazing women all the time. Some are biological mothers, some are not...all of them see beauty in all of our children...even the ones in prison or the ones on drugs.

Bad children don’t just happen...We let it happen – yes parents hold a bulk of the responsibility but the community is also responsible. We let it happen when we see a struggling single mom and offer no help financially or emotionally. We let it happen when we ignore a mother or father’s plea for help with a disobedient child. We let it happen, when we pass the boys on the corner and simply shake our heads and drive faster rather than thinking about the difference programs, policies or a simple chat would make.

There are amazing persons in our community who are trying to make a difference but many of us can do a lot more...help the little girl with the illiterate mom with homework, take the little boy who has no male role model to the basket ball court to shoot some hoops. Have a conversation with the ‘drug addict’ on the corner. It is amazing the difference these little actions make. One tiny step to help today will make a difference in a child’s life today.

Today my friend brought a new life into the world and I know she will continue to be a fabulous mother.

Today you can make a positive difference in the life of a child who may not have a mom, a child who needs you. Will you?