It was such a pleasure to moderate the Exciting Women’s History Month event exceptionally hosted by Finiana at the Island Space Museum in South Florida.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month CARAH Entrepreneurship Awardee Dr. Solanges Viven mesmerized the packed audience telling tales from her Best selling book, Girls Can Move Mountains
The event connotated Art in its various forms shown through dance, drums, youth authors, and The Spoken word. It was all included in a delightful and entertaining form.
Indeed a delightful evening. Thanks Calibe, David and the Museum’s team for being the perfect host. Support the Island Museum, a rich piece of Caribbean history located at the Broward Mall, Plantation, South Florida.
By the sea I couldn’t wait to be. To sit causally on the sand. Me, towel, book and birds all in one as the mighty waves thundered and splashed against the seashore. The weather forecasted it would be the coldest day of the season. Disappointment soared at the spoilt prospect yet still I was determined to chill (literally).
I sat still gazing in the distance. Cold yet relaxed. It was as if there was not a care in the world. I watched the little bird hunt its food fighting against the rushing waves as it eroded the shore. “Give up,” I shouted. But it didn’t as it tried again and again to grab another peck, and another peck. It’s little body was no match for the cold windy weather, but it was yet to give up.
That Smile
That smile… my smile, as usual with it’s pleasantries drew in passersby. Many waved hello and flashed smiles in turn. Then along came an aged one. She spilt her life story in 20 long minutes. Deflecting, I was pleased to have been there to allow her tales of melancholy. A journey of sickness, travel and friendships throughout the years. Amidst her quiet tears and outstretched arms, a flash hug ensued (but alas what of Covid?!) she eventually walked on.
As the sun set, what more could I ask for? A late January evening of peace and quiet. Distant laughter reigned from sultry beach lovers against the sounds as the mighty sunset waves splashed!
Do it again I mused. Tis pure bliss of memories made in tow.
Do you know why some people succeed while others don’t? It’s simple. They never give up.
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar
Motivation And Success. The Link
Motivation is important to success. Give a push start or a power boost to a struggling entrepreneur today. 101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs will ignite their new year with the desire to keep going when they feel like giving up.
Successful people press on when the going gets tough and they become discouraged. J. K. Rowling
The Meaningful Job Decision
Did I make the right choice when I was headhunted? Selena revealed that her 9-to-5 job was an exciting rollercoaster journey. Four years earlier, she was headhunted by a giant company to manage its flagship location. They had called her many times, but she avoided interview invites because of her job’s loyalty. She was not sure how to tell them that she had landed a new opportunity. As time progressed, she went away to a distant country then returned to her home country, hoping that the headhunter would have forgotten, but they had not. On arrival back home, she was invited to an interview. This time she went. Not surprisingly, she was offered the job at twice the salary.
Help someone you know move on from a difficult, stressful job. It might just be that they have been doing the job for 5, 10, 15 years and just want a change. With the book Ditch it, Switch it, you’re sure to give them the ignition to make the decision as they step into the new year.
Quiet Peace In The Midst of Life’s Storm
At three in the morning I received the most devastating news. My daughter’s Godmother had lost her 15-year-old granddaughter. She had died of a massive Asthma attack. I screamed—quietly. I asked the Lord why, why, why? I did not understand. As I sought answers, her aunt encouraged that she did not understand either, but she was safe in the Lord’s loving arms.
Months later as the still grieving mom received a copy of the book My Safe Place, she sat feeling comforted. It brought a sense of peace that quieted her heart. Consider those who mourn this holiday season. Give the gift of prayer and daily inspiration to those who are hurting from sickness, mental incarceration, and loss. GreenLight and My Safe place provides that comfort. Gift it now.
Poetry
A poet’s work … to name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it from going to sleep
Salman Rushdie
Poems revive the soul and encourage the heart. Charmaine speaks these in her book I write. You Recite.
Purpose And Meaning
Nothing brings me more joy than a life dedicated to the personal growth and development of others. Life is about helping others along life’s way. Choose your book today and make a difference in the lives of your friends, family or foe.
Over To You
Which book has made an impact on your life? Do share, we would love to hear.
It’s an outstanding achievement especially for a first time author. Be proud of yourself. But then patrons buy your book and later a reader finds an error or worse–two. It may be his/her interpretation but an error none-the-less. You feel sad. Down. Disappointed in yourself. How could that happen? But before you throw in the ‘author’ towel, here are 3 simple things to do.
Write Quality Books
Write quality books. I can’t stress that enough. Those of you who have worked with me know that is most important. It makes the difference in the success of your product. Quality means, professionally done book cover, formatting, editing and more
Edit. Edit. Edit Some More
Of prime importance is the editing. Nothing is more distasteful than a product that wherever you read, you find errors. That being said, in professionally published books… be it traditional or self-published, you may find errors. That’s the reason reviewing your work with an editor is so important. These days errors are found even in the media. But the great thing now with the media is that it’s mainly online in many cases. Often in their haste to get the news out, they falter. But with online, errors can easily be edited and republished fast. In a printed book, this can also be done so get in touch with your publisher for immediate correction. If self-published, correct the manuscript and republish.
There Will Always Be Haters
Accept the fact. Know that you will always have haters and especially in Poetry, it’s your interpretation, your craft. If the errors are not spelling, then some will still complain because you write as you ‘see’ things.
So in summary, keep your head up. Do something about the complaint. Validate it and if its a fact, correct it. Then move on to writing and publishing your next book. Remember, life is filled with ups and downs. But it’s what you do about it that counts.
Need to write your book? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
Note this discussion does not go in-depth into writing and correcting errors. It is written as a simple recommendation to uplift and rebuild the new author’s inner drive to continue his/her craft.
As we commemorate National Caribbean American Heritage Month, the tribute written by talented Poet Charmaine Allwood-Hanson sums up the history and cultural perspective. Be intrigued as you read.
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES AND ISLANDS CONNECTED BY THIS VAST BLUE SEA PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES RELIGIONS AND CREEDS
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN A GREAT MELTING POT BRED FROM SLAVES, COLONIZERS MERCHANTS, INDENTURED LABORERS AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES CULTURALLY WE ARE SO DIVERSIFIED
WE SPEAK ENGLISH, FRENCH SPANISH AND DUTCH PATOIS AND CREOLE OUR LANGUAGES EMBODY THE NEW AND THE OLD
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN OVER 26 NATIONS STRONG LET ME NAME A FEW AS THE LIST IS LONG
WE ARE GUYANESE, BARBADIAN BELIZEANS AND JAMAICANS PANAMANIANS, HAITIANS AND GRENADIANS CUBANS, DOMINICANS, AND ANGUILLANS WE ARE THE NATIONS OF ST. VINCENT MONTSERRAT AND MARTINIQUE WE ARE COUNTRIES, SMALL AND LARGE ISLANDS WHICH MAKES OUR REGION UNIQUE
WE HAVE MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOES AND TOURIST RESORTS WATERFALLS, HEALING AND HEALTH SPAS TOP NOTCH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR DIVERSITIES
WE HAVE MANY HISTORICAL SITES WE TRADE TOBACCO, SUGAR AND BANANAS…
Deep thought. Articulate she was as she shared her soul searching work to a global audience captivated by her eloquence during the historic inauguration As a writer and lover of words like she is, how could I resist the opportunity to share the work of a Quiet Storm, Amanda Gorman.
The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, USA Youth Poet Laureate
When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.
And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.
‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge’: Joe Biden calls for unity in first speech as president – live
And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried. That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
The difference some people make comes alive after they are gone. Sad but true.
S. Cameron
Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Baptist minister and leader extraordinaire. His death catapulted a movement so others could live. The more recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many others who lost their lives and in their deaths they made an impact. Their deaths made others live.
It causes us to wonder if some people are born with the purpose to make a difference after death. We think of children. Amber alert was created after little Amber died after being abducted. Sad but her death encouraged changes that saved the lives of others.
Sadly, it is in death that we understand. Only after some die that we understand the purpose of life. Today I encourage you to look back on your life. Try to understand your purpose. Are you on the path that leads you to making a difference?
Reflect. Think about your purpose. Why are you here? While you’re at it, reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech. It depicted a leader who had attain his true purpose.
You can. You should and if you are brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free so drink. Drink and be filled. ~Stephen King
The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. ~Dylan Thomas
The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins, South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine. An Online Literary Magazine. Read. Indulge your writing prowess in these editions:
Most of us have only one story to tell. I don’t mean that only one thing happens to us in our lives: there are countless events, which we turn into countless stories. But there’s only one that matters, only one finally worth telling. The tale of someone’s life begins before they are born.
Listen to my interview with former Regional Director turned Radio personnel, singer, songwriter, Poet and Musician shares how he Ditched It to do what he loves in order to follow his passion. Learn the strategies he used.
Most important his audience was exposed to the inner secrets of the man behind the mic.
Stay tuned for new book soon to be released “Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It”
Waves splashing. Seas rough. Birds chirping. Softly. Quietly. Then louder as if composing a song. As if complaining … oh why so rough?
Now they fly. They soar. They meander. Still chirping high above beneath the sky. The white clouds embrace.
Waves calm down. Storm’s afloat. Passes by the outskirts as if to say, I’ll stop by next time…whenever that is. Behind it leaves weeds on the shore. Washed up. All aghast.
She Reads By The Sea
Book in hand she reads by the sea. Listening. Listening to the sounds of the waves. The birds. People shouting indistinctly in the distance. Soaking up the sun. Then softly covered by the clouds. Be still my soul.
Trees. Palm trees sway softly. Tenderly. Hear the birds call. The sun shines brightly against the afternoon’s wave.
The Right Time To Write
‘Tis the right time to write. To pray. To listen to the still small voice. Speak. Help me listen. Help me hear you. Don’t let me miss what you must say.
Success Strategies 