My newest challenge from WordPress.com reads:
Write a story about yourself, told from your neighbor’s perspective.
Work Bonus: Write a story about yourself, from your coworker’s perspective.
In either case, be smart: and don’t use their name, or use a coworker from a previous job, or a neighbor from a previous residence.
I hissed my teeth when I saw this first, I’m not going to lie to you, I never thought much of it. Giving it some thought, I slowly realise that it had a lesson in it. Deep within this topic I saw a popular saying that would often be reiterated by my mother (my role model), my grandmother and neighbours I would occasionally talk with, the proverb was: Humble Calf suck the Most Milk.
I’ve had the honour of living my life both in rural and urban Jamaica, as well the privilege of having all my grandparents, whether it be my grandmothers or fathers around.
The earlier parts of my life were spent in rural Jamaica were I enjoyed the lush vegetation, peace and tranquillity of the community in which I live and grew up. Not to mention the kindness, good manners and courtesy of most of the residents I grew up among. I’ve careful chosen the word “most” because not all rural or as many Jamaicans opt ‘country people’ are good. I won’t lie just as must as you have “wicked and bad-minded” people who will stop at nothing to assassinate your character through slandering and committing all other form of badness/evil in urban areas, rural Jamaica have the same. Perhaps even more. I’m not saying this to frighten you; but to speak the honest truth.
You might think I’m side-tracking, but I’m not. I telling you all this to say my neighbours have seemingly embrace the idea that I was a gifted young man. They might not have communicated it that way, and I don’t want to blow my own horn/trumpet, but their conversations and choice of words says a lot. Whenever I would talk with elders, they often times would utter something in the local Jamaican dialect like: “yuh a bright boy, yuh a go places. Nuh figet weh yuh a come from and yuh ole pepple and memba wah yuh learn growing up.” Translated as:“You are a brilliant boy, who will be successful. Don’t forget where you’re coming from when you reach or your parents and remember the lessons learnt growing up.” Or I would be told the said proverb quoted earlier or another, “Manners take you through the world” OR “Learn to kiss ass before you can kick it”.
Behind all of these talks and more were the belief to instill humility and offer lessons of life. They also felt I would be afford more opportunities than they had ever had and there was a lot to be expected from me. In fact, I had perhaps given them those reasons when I deliberately choose to become an achiever, aim for success so as to make a better life for me and family. Additionally, I was often sheltered by my parents; I attended extra lessons at school to ensure I was on top of my game; I never loiter in the community/on the streets; was always home inside the house and rarely played outside of my yard or in front of my yard without watchful eyes from parents. I wasn’t even allowed to go school in my community, which I never mind. In fact I love that I wasn’t allowed to go school in my community for several reasons, chief of which being the opportunities there were in my eyes limiting and perhaps helped to keep me out of evildoers way.
In the eyes of neighbours I was a gem to be smooth, protect and one that would find its way among royalties. While I’ve not found yet found my royalties I’m learning as I go along and even my co-workers realise or know that greatest is my destiny. Like my neighbours they have offer words of encouragement, enlightenment and sound advice, all of which I have listen in a humble manner and even practise because of my up bringing and where I’m coming from.
Thank you all!
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Canada has invited Haiti and Jamaica along with a group of other developing countries to attend the Group of Eight summit it is hosting this month.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he wanted to make the event more inclusive.
Mr Harper said the gathering aimed to “broaden representation and maximize results on international development and peace and security issues.”
The Group of Eight summit of leading economies is to take place in Huntsville, Ontario on 25-26 June and will be immediately followed by a G20 summit in Toronto.
[Update via BBC News]
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