Tuesday, 29th September 2020 — Although I remain fairly low key and quiet in my lifestyle, I listen to what others say. Yesterday I read last week’s edition of our local newspaper to find out what’s been going on. Efforts are being made by the government, organisations and individuals to assist the Anguilla community and aid persons in need. Nonetheless, we have a long road to travel to steer our course forward. Decisions made by ourselves and other people, as well as unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, have gotten us to the point where we are today. How do we elevate and rise above these dire straits in which many of us are living presently?
Some questions that I pose include the following: Are we coping, surviving or thriving during these unpredictable times? What are we doing to change our circumstances? Is what we are doing having a positive or negative effect? How do we unearth a new way to live that is full of purpose and meaning? Are we in alignment with the Most High’s Divine Plan for each of us and for humanity? Only we, individually and collectively, can seek and find the answers.
As I observe the workings of the Anguilla Progressive Movement officials, I wonder whether they will be able to implement the changes necessary to get us out of the mess that the state of the nation is in. We cannot put all the blame on former governments – nor specific folks. It is imperative that we conduct our own self-examinations and query ways in which we can create a better way of living.
One of the things I have noted over the decades is – we keep leaning on tourism as the primary source of economic stability and income for citizens and residents on the island. Whether we diversify our interests by developing a super mega yacht marina, or focussing on plans to expand in such areas as sports, health, medical or eco-tourism, it’s still one main industry that we are concentrating on. We seem to have forgotten to ponder other initiatives for structuring commerce. It is time for us to start thinking outside of the box – and develop creativity in the types of businesses emerging in Anguilla that will support our growth and progress.
For example, how about starting a full-fledged recycling programme and seeking a means to re-utilise materials that normally go into the Corito landfill? Last year, the Government banned the use of single-use plastics. All that seemed to do is force people to have to purchase plastic bags at grocery stores. Some establishments started using bio-friendly or recyclable items as replacements. Nonetheless, grocers are still package fruits, vegetables and foods in Styrofoam trays with plastic wrappings. We consume an enormous amount of water, soft drinks and various beverages packaged in plastic bottles. What about building a sterilising plant where glass and plastic containers are properly sterilised and re-used? Whether or not this idea is actually feasible, and fiscally possible, I don’t know. It is a thought we might consider.
We consume or utilise too much, on a daily basis, which goes to waste. Isn’t the Most-High trying to get all a’ we humans to be able to simplify our lives and do with less? It seems we’re not listening or heeding what Mother Nature is teaching us. Nothing we have and own is permanent. Everything can be gone in a split second with a fire, hurricane, flood or another destructive weather pattern – or as insurance companies phrase, an act of God. With the increased intensity of these natural forces of energy, we ought to reconsider how we’re living our lives. Downsizing makes it easier to replace what’s lost. Less is more manageable. Contemplate what happens when someone dies. Surviving relatives have to deal with getting rid of the deceased’s property. That can be an enormous, overwhelming endeavour.
We need to examine how we manage our finances. Are we living above our income? It’s tempting to want to keep up with the latest, newest, biggest. Yet teaching ourselves to spend less and to make do with fewer things help us improve our fiscal management. It’s a tough lesson to learn, but well worth learning. In all our endeavours, let us be divinely guided, learning from the past, living in the present, preparing for the future to come.
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Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media — Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
