Tuesday, 15th December 2015 (North Side, Anguilla) — As we come closer to the end of another year, with Christmas Day coming next week on Friday, we reflect on our experiences of 2015. What is in store for us in the New Year? Will the events of 2016 be much better or worse than those that occurred during the past 12 months? These are questions for all of us to ponder, and I reflected on possible answers to these queries upon waking from a restful night’s sleep earlier this morning.
On Sunday afternoon as I read articles in the latest edition of The Anguillian newspaper, I wondered where are we going and if we are moving forward or going backwards. My thoughts were centred on not only what life might have to offer me personally, but also what’s in the future for my family and friends, our island community, and people and nations across the globe. After reading about the recent Government of Anguilla Budget and of the state of affairs of our two indigenous Banks, I began to wonder if anything will ever change positively, or will it always be the same – as it was before – or will worsening conditions arise.
One idea that came to mind, regarding the increase in taxation, is why doesn’t the Government implement a sales tax rather making hard working citizens and residents pay much higher fees for vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses and so forth. Wouldn’t that be a more equitable distribution for all of us sharing in the burden of raising funds for the GOA’s Treasury? It seems a more reasonable solution. Every person, business and organisation would be taxed on a sundry of purchases and no one would be exempt from paying this sales tax. Even visitors, developers and investors would be required to contribute to sustaining the local economy. It would also require civil servants to be diligent in collecting the sales tax owed from the various business establishments.
Maybe a sales tax wouldn’t raise as much needed money as increasing various fees, but at least it would be more evenly distributed amongst all of the populace. Then those of us who don’t have as much would evidence that those who have the most are not getting off freely without paying their fair share. That is exactly what we observe happening with some individuals or corporations who have the money to pay yet receive substantial duty-free concessions or others who allegedly abscond with monies and have yet to pay back their huge bank loans and settle outstanding debts. These are merely some suggestions on how to build up our nation’s coffers.
In my small little circle of the world, I work diligently on my inner self’s growth and development, so that I too can inspire other’s to achieve greater heights in their lives and to choose changing directions if they have been misguided. But there are some days when I ask The Most High why the Creator has instilled so much love, light and consciousness in my soul to shine forth leading others to move forward with humanity’s progress. Often times, I think that what I impart from Spirit doesn’t make any difference. Yet that viewpoint is from my own limited perspective.
I lead by example attempting to encourage others whom I encounter on a daily basis, whether face-to-face or via social media, telephone or electronically transmitted messages, to see the beauty in themselves and in life, and to make changes letting go of what’s not working and focussing on new possibilities that will work better for them. Sometimes an individual, who has no concept of who I am nor my life experiences as this person The Great Spirit has created my soul into being, directs a verbal blast or barrage of negative words and energy towards me. When I speak the Truths that I am consciously aware of, a person may tell me that she/he is insulted by my words or that my writings are amusing. But that doesn’t deter me from sharing the wise knowledge imparted to the inner self through the Almighty.
God ordains each of us to be Messengers of Good Will, and we must all find ways to share the wisdom and life lessons that we have learnt without discrediting the Truths of others. Everyone must take a role in uplifting herself/himself, along with our families, friends, communities and nations. We are our Brothers and Sisters keepers. Though we are not necessarily responsible for each person’s actions, we need to take responsibility for our own to ensure that we do not intentionally inflect harm or ill will on another of God’s creations.
I write this message to remind us of what is most important in our lives and to encourage, as well as inspire, all of us to do better in the New Year. The old ways and habits that we have been using may not be working well. So we are empowered to find a means to live and thrive more independently and collectively as a People. During this Holy Season may everyone be encouraged to make positive choices for living a more sacred and whole life. Teach our Youths how to dialogue peacefully instead of picking up a gun to resolve disputes. Listen to our Young People express what they desire for their lives rather than enforcing them to act as we adults are accustomed to doing. Care for loved ones, neighbours and strangers. Share the wealth of skills, talents, finances and whatever we may have so that other persons may benefit from our generosity of giving back and paying forward by performing good deeds.
May each one of us find ways to be better human beings in the sight of the Lord, and may we each be the instruments of change that we envision ourselves to be, doing whatever we can to move ourselves and the Anguilla community forward to greater heights.
So I pray that these words, in what is most likely my final in print opinion-editorial for the year before travelling off island to enjoy the holidays with family and friends elsewhere, bring encouragement and inspiration to all who read and share it. I wish each one of you a safe season of divine light and love with an overflowing abundance of blessings from The Highest Realm. Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year! We shall meet again on these newspaper pages in 2016.
Kay M. Ferguson is a free-spirited writer who composes word sounds to inspire and uplift humanity. She is passionate about sharing her reflective contemplations on various subjects to raise conscious awareness in the Anguilla community and globally. To link with Kay, send an email to anguillawriter@gmail.com or “i-nect” via social media at www.facebook.com/kaymferguson.
