Why I am never bored in Anguilla!

Anguilla! It is truly ‘one of a kind.’ It is my island home.

I actually wanted to start another blog focusing on ‘Why I love Anguilla’ but then I had to take a step back and say...girl you are way too busy...focus on what you are currently involved in now. I will start that blog though eventually!

I was speaking to a friend and I asked what should I blog about today. She suggested blogging about why so many Anguillians cannot swim and do not go out to enjoy our beaches while visitors come from so far away to enjoy our beaches and swim and dive in our azure blue waters.

So why is that? I guess it boils down to the fact that most of us do not appreciate what is right in front us. I have lived in North America and in the United Kingdom and yes there are things in these countries which I like and certainly things I dislike but honest to God, for me, there is nowhere like home.

Where else would a rooster be crowing in the middle of the night when dawn is still hours away? Where else can I sit on the porch and enjoy the wonders and beauty of the stars which are not obstructed in any way at all by sky scrapers or pollution. Where else do I have the right and the privilege to enjoy 33 beautiful beaches any day, anytime, anywhere and where else would I have the choice of a five star restaurant or a local road side bistro all within fifteen minutes drive?

I very fondly remember my childhood growing up in Anguilla. I don’t ever remember being bored. My cousins, my neighbours, my friends...someone was always around. I remember going through the bush looking for popes and berries with my cousins, long drives to East End on the back of a pick up to climb trees and pick mangoes on our land there, flying kites, playing marbles, playing catching and dolly house and of course the picnics on the beach (I dreaded washing my hair though and still do!).

As an adult, Anguilla is still this wonderful place where I am never bored. So outside of the myriad of activities which I engage in during my volunteer and professional life, my favourite Anguillian experiences in recent times are

1)      Watching my boyfriend pick coconuts and then watching him cut them out. By this time, my young neighbours Liha and Nari would have made their way over to my yard. I would listen to them chatter and we would all enjoy some coconut water and jelly. Yummy and refreshing!

2)      Hanging out with my family and friends....whether it is a movie night, games night, picnic, fish fry, barbeque or breakfast or dinner at a top class restaurant, we always have a great time.

3)      Hikes and excursions with the National Trust. Anguilla and its neighbouring cays are amazingly beautiful and thanks to Farah and her team I have enjoyed some terrific, exciting and sometimes sobering experiences!

4)      Sunsets and Sunrises on the beach – whether or not I am swimming as I indicated in a previous blog, walking on the beach and watching the sea relaxes me. Sharing this experience with a loved one doubles the pleasure.

5)      Music and talking, laughing and dancing under the stars and the good thing about Anguilla is that the stars are visible from everywhere.

So that’s my list – these days I am pretty low key but if you are looking for more activity, I know there are terrific local acts and parties in and around the island amongst many other things. My point is we all just need to get out more and to appreciate what we do have. Take the word ‘bored’ out of your vocabulary. 

Anguilla isn’t perfect and the recent criminal activities will continue to affect all of us if we don’t speak out. We have always marketed Anguilla as virtually having no crime. Outside of the tourists personally, I want to be able to continue to enjoy this island paradise without fear. What about you?

So what are your favourite childhood memories growing up in Anguilla and what Anguillian experiences do you enjoy most today? Post a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you. Say yes to not being bored today!

Update: February is Gone. Five ways to get back on track with your SMART goals

Hi everyone. I certainly missed talking to you. I hope you are doing fabulously.

So I know this is a very loaded title since it automatically assumes that you are off track with your smart goals. If you clicked on this link, there is an 80 percent chance that you are. Don’t despair. We still have 10 more months in the year. That means 83 percent of the year is still before us. Whew, what a relief. That means you can still Ace those SMART goals but it also means you will have to work harder and smarter.

1)    Take a minute to review and become reacquainted with those goals that you set at the start of the year.

One goal I shared with you was that I was going to blog at least once a week. I was doing pretty well but I dropped the warm potato last week and failed to post a blog. I would say that’s a ‘Thumbs down Shellecia.’ Seriously though, it is ok to make a mistake or skip a workout or to have some cookies….that’s fine.  We just need to ensure it is a rare occurrence and don’t allow it to develop into a habit.

2)    Review the reasons why your SMART goals may be off track. Were they Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based? Is it your fault that you are off track or were there other reasons beyond your control? Chances are most of the reasons for stumbling are your own, so take responsibility right now.

I am taking full responsibility for the many mornings this year that I failed to get out of bed to exercise because it was ‘so dark’ or my favourite excuse for 2012 ‘those look like rain clouds.’ I am operating somewhere around 60% and I pledge to do better in March. However, there were mornings when it was raining or I was off island and I couldn’t go running even if I wanted to. What I could have done however were some indoor exercises so really everything comes back to us right? Take full responsibility – claim your own victories and your own defeats.

3)    Set new timeframes to measure your progress if you feel you cannot achieve the timeframes you had set. If you are willing to put in the time and effort please do stick with original timeframes. Ensure you measure your progress at these times. 

4)    Share your goals with others. Secrets are the enemy to achieving your goals. Tell your friends and family what you want to achieve and many of them will be your biggest supporters and encouragers.

Persons ask me all the time, how is the exercising going and I can only give half positive answers. This is definitely motivation to do better. I know if I do better, others around me or observing me will automatically do better as well. It is a great cycle of encouragement.  

5)    Finally, Just Do It. Taking action will always be the best step we can take if we are serious about achieving our SMART goals.

Goals are amazing as they give us a sense of purpose and ignite our passions. I hope you are still positive about achieving your goals. I certainly am. The naysayers and discouragers are probably knocking hard on your front door by now but put in your earphones. Side note: I have some cute earphones with the Jamaican colours.

Follow these five tips and you will successfully achieve your SMART Goals for 2012.

We will talk again in a few days. Post a comment below and share your SMART goals for 2012.

Why fit in when you can stand out! 5 Surprising ways you can stand out from the crowd.

Hi everyone

I actually stole this topic from my sister’s BB and Facebook page. She was talking about her store but I thought this would work fabulously as a blog entry. Thanks Sis.  She owns a trendy store in East End called Hottest Selections. If you haven’t checked it out...Please do!

Read on for some great tips on how you can stand out from the crowd.

1)    Dress up when everyone is dressing down. Go ahead and wear those fabulous heels.  Yes, persons will talk about you because you look great! That is the objective right.

2)    Things will not always go your way and that’s ok. How you deal with things when they go wrong will determine if you just fit in or if you stand out. There are lot more people in this world who are negative than those who are positive. Which category do you want to fall into?

3)    Be an original. Facebook, blogs, twitter, youtube etc. have given all of us a platform and if we choose to, we can be ourselves or we can be a copy of someone else. Have and share your own opinions. Show off your own skills. Remember, the original is always better than the copy.

4)    Don’t be afraid to lead. You may not be a natural leader but you can develop and enhance your leadership skills. When you demonstrate the willingness or the ability to lead you immediately stand out from the crowd.

5)    Try something new! We all have things we would like to do but it may be a bit too far from our ‘comfort zone.’ Maybe you want to start a YouTube channel or join a band or start a small business. What’s holding you back? There is nothing sadder than ‘I wish I had.’ I personally prefer ‘I did.’ Don’t you?

UPDATE

My mango tree is still alive. The leaves are definitely more green than brown, kind of like my lifeJ.  My pumpkin patch has numerous pumpkins which we have been enjoying and sharing with family and friends. By the way, my mom makes a fabulous pumpkin pie. Another totally useless titbit...the hen that made a nest in my yard had her chicks...aren’t they the cutest!

Hope this blog entry was useful and at the very least I hope it made you smile. Have a great weekend!

Do share any comments below.