From left are PIOUS, LEE, HYATT, CECILE, MORRISON, CARLENE, PITTERSON, TRACEY
Nordia Henry, Staff Reporter
WE LIVE in a world of abundance. Our ways of structuring life are based on our perception of how life should be. In this sense, our human journey is an invention, not in the sense that it isn't true, but rather we make up the steps by which we travel this journey. For example, if we perceive our universe as gracious and filled with abundance, then we design the steps to live in harmony with that vision.
As we go through life's struggles, daunting obstacles come our way but after the storm we can reflect on the experience and look at what we have learned and how to proceed into the future. On this note, Lifestyle ends 2003 by asking a number of Jamaicans to tell us about the significant lessons they have learned this year that they will take into the new year. We got a variety of interesting and profound responses, and hope that these will prompt you, our readers, to reflect on the lessons of this past year as you bravely forge into 2004.
TVJ'S SPORTS COMMENTATOR ORAL TRACEY: "I have never lacked vision but was somewhat lacking in focus. However, in recent times I have come to recognise the value of being totally focused. Whether you have ten things to do, you have to be focused on each to the extent that you want to be successful at any one or all of them. Additionally, a lot of people have vision but lack focus and this prevents them from making strides."
JOURNALIST EMILY CROOKS: "I encountered a specific challenge this year and it has given me a totally new look on life. I was quite miserable but I have relearned how to live a little and have fun because all I did was work, work, and work. Also, this has taught me how to really appreciate more the people who genuinely care about me."
ENTERTAINER CÉCILE CHARLTON: "People's opinion don't really matter because people are going to think of you how they want. They will class you and stereotype you but it's just a matter of perspective, therefore it makes no sense getting upset because it all boils down to who you know you are and what you think about yourself."
'MR. PORTMORE', MAYOR OF PORTMORE, ST. CATHERINE, GEORGE LEE: "Whatever you believe in and work assiduously toward, you can succeed. So I approach 2004 with much confidence because of my belief in God; that despite the difficulties and problems in respect to Portmore's municipality status that we will go ahead and be a model municipality. Jamaica can be a great country if men's lives are changed because the problems are not unsolvable. Power and faith in God can create wonders."
SENATOR THE HONOURABLE DEIKA MORRISON, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE: says she has become involved in many things involving children. Her involvement, she adds, has opened her eyes to the challenges facing us as it relates to child care, violence against children, and violence committed by children. "Working with these child development projects has made me want to do more for children. So for 2004 I want to help refocus society on the need to take care of our children because they are very special to us."
DERVAN MALCOLM, POWER 106 FM BROADCASTER: "I have discovered that a large percentage of the Jamaican population is uninformed and, what's worse, they share the misinformation with others, thus perpetuating ignorance. Going forward into 2004, I hope to acquire as much information as possible to share with as many people as possible, whether through outside broadcasts, Schools Challenge Quiz or simple conversations."
LAURA FACEY COOPER, WHOSE STATUES AT EMANCIPATION PARK IN NEW KINGSTON GARNERED APPLAUSE, SPARKED OUTRAGE AND SET OFF A HEATED DEBATE EARLIER THIS YEAR: "This year I have experienced the huge voice that art work has. Having had this experience, I am energised to go ahead and create other new works. Additionally, I will remember and continue to be bold and use the work of art to speak."
CAPTAIN OF THE JAMAICA NETBALL TEAM OBERON
PITTERSON says she has learned to be persistent. "Whatever dreams and aspirations you have, don't give up, just keep working at them and if you work assiduously, they will happen."
ACTRESS AND SOCIAL WORKER AT CHILDREN FIRST IN SPANISH TOWN, ST. CATHERINE, CLAUDETTE PIOUS: "I have learned the importance of patience and tolerance and would like to continue the sharing among us because we need to take care of each other. Caring for someone does not only mean material things, it also means that we can also compliment someone (a lot of people like myself thrive well on this) or say a kind word of encouragement. Of the 365 days in a year, can you imagine if we took the time to care for someone every day. Do you know how many lives you would have touched?"
ACTOR/COMEDIAN CHARLES HYATT: "I have learned how to love the rain and this is something that I would love to take into the new year. This year has been the wettest year for a long time, outside of hurricane season. But instead of cursing the dark, one can learn how to light a candle."
KINGSTON NUTRITION SPECIALIST DR. JOY CALLENDER: "I have learned how difficult it is to change behaviour and the fact that we need a supportive environment for behaviour change. This is what I want to share with my clients for 2004."
CO-HOST OF CVM TELEVISION'S DISCUSSION SHOW 'OUR VOICES' AND FORMER DANCEHALL QUEEN CARLENE SMITH: "What you see and hear is not normally how it goes. For example, you hear on the news that a man was shot but it does not mean much to us because we hear it so often. However, when you speak to the person, you realise the pain, suffering and trauma they are enduring and you also get a different perspective of the story."
