W0RLD MONUMENT

    What you are about to read may open your mind to something you never thought about before. My wife and I have travelled around the Caribbean Archipelago over the years and visited many of the islands, but it was really an enlightening experience to learn about a very unusual place called the fortress of La Citadel Lafrenière. It is a fortress built by Henry Christophe, the Haitian revolutionary general who led the slave rebellion of freedom in 1804.

    This fortress has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1982   Although there are several smaller forts across the country of Haiti this fortress is the first example of African-derived colonial architecture.  

   The Citadel was constructed by over 20,000 ex-slaves, built inland 3000 feet on the mountain as a means of providing the optimal military vantage point. The location enabled Haitian forces to strategically keep watch over a vast distance, from the nearby valleys to the coastline. Cap -Haitian and the adjoining Atlantic Ocean are visible from the roof of the fortress.

    It is the largest fortress in Haiti and one of the largest in North America. The turbulent political situation principally in the central region has deterred visitors from visiting the very interesting tourist destination of the mountain Citadel.

    Maybe, this short monument may encourage you to explore another adventure at

    the “Caribbean Archipelago.”  See the Citadel below.

4-19-23

 

 

 

SPRING IS HERE

    Now is your time to wake up and smell the roses because they are all around you. Can’t you smell them?  Their aroma takes you to new views of life.  Give them a chance. You are the captain of your ship. You can go in any direction at any moment. Now is the time to make new decisions that will allow you to take new steps toward new adventures.  You need not be a genius.  Just be comfortable with what you feel, and you can steer your ship wherever you choose to go.

    There are many places or dreams you have yet to reach. It is up to you to visit any of them that meets your wishes. Just keep in mind you are always the captain of your ship. Have a good trip and enjoy every moment.

“Remember! One who hesitates can get lost.”

"😊😊😊😊😀😁😄"

😃HAVE A NICE  DAY😄

 

WHO CARES

     I wonder if there really is anyone who really lives with an indifferent attitude about life and people around you.  Sometimes and somewhere I hear people give an opinion or viewpoint about just about anything.  Whatever I hear is always  meaningful.  I don’t even ask for an opinion.  It just seems to come from anyone who speaks. There is usually a comment or two that indicates you have some remark that may be critical or even judgmental about something.  I can appreciate hearing comments that are complimentary, but I wonder why I often hear complaints or criticisms about someone or something.  Are my observations telling me you are uncomfortable or you may be annoyed?

    If you talk about life and the people you know and meet with a friendly attitude, then I am comfortable because it helps me feel you care about life.

     As it has been said:  No one promised us a rose garden.

    According to Albert Einstein:

 “Be kind to people who are different from you."

The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time

           have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been.

  Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.”

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

    Take your time before you decide what you want to do. Yes, the holiday season is just around the corner. There is so much excitement and joy beckoning for our attention. It’s almost mind boggling to make choices. But that’s ok if we don’t resort to impulsive decisions.  We are all not out of the woods with corvid or many social problems.  Being cavalier, that is not serious or caring enough about matters that other people are serious about can be neglectful of their feelings. Even amidst the joys of the season it pays to be cautious and avoid risks to our personal health.

    Keep in mind we all have the privilege to choose what we like and don’t like to do. Take some time to ask yourself what is most important to you. There is no rush to find answers to your thoughts.  It takes patience to avoid impulsive wishes. When we look around the world is here for us, and we can enjoy each day if we care about what is available to each of us.

    Relax and look carefully at our options for feeling comfortable. They keep popping up at us yet, we don’t have to jump to them.

“Look before you leap.”

12-1-22                                          "😄😄😄😄"

 

 STAYING CONNECTED

     We come into this world alone but is it fair to leave, to leave it alone? Yes, that’s a fair question. I guess while we are here there really isn’t an easy answer.  Sure, for our life there is a lot to do.  We could accept the end.  But not yet. Why? Because we have so many things to do and see. You can still be alone and an individual with a vitality to enjoy many of others around you.  Most important you can meet new friends and find new relationships.  The thought that you are alone or feel lonely is merely a time out zone where you might allow yourself to feel sorry, lonely or a feeling that you are being left out.  But you are not left out.  Remember, you oversee your life.  You have a lifelong license to do so many things, go to so many places. So, what is stopping you? Some say you are lonely and feeling sorry for yourself.  I speak. It’s because you have temporarily disconnected and got off the track. Wallowing in sorrow is no excuse for storing your strength.    

    You know many abilities you have from many experiences you had on responsibilities you have had in your career of work.  They are never lost. They have been disconnected temporarily. Why?  Maybe, because they offer no challenges to you. So, you owe it to yourself to get back on track to feel accomplishment. 

“Your train only goes forward.”

 

10-25-22

 

 

 

 

DRIVE TO SURVIVE

    We are all motivated to find our way each day to find satisfaction for our existence any way that gives us peace of mind if not satisfaction.  We feel that whatever we believe makes sense to us.  We get a feeling that everything is not what we like or want but, we seem to think we are justified in thinking we are right even if we are not fair in all our decisions.  It’s very important to us that no matter what we think, say or, believe is certainly acceptable to everyone else, But the facts of the matter don’t seem to result that way. why? Why? Maybe, we really either don’t care what others hear us say or we feel they are against us. Oh, no what we say or believe is the truth. There is no need for defending our point of view. After all, our thinking is as good as anyone else’s point of view.  

   Now, maybe it’s time to take a breath and start to become more open minded and begin to reflect on how we believe and think.  Taking the time to reflect on what we think and believe may open our mind to what is sometimes called the………

“AHAH! PHENOMENON”

   This is the moment or time when one sits down in a comfortable chair and begins to do some thinking about what drives one so hard to survive.  What is really so important to drive one to think what we think or believe is so immutable, absolute or unalterable. Yes, it takes an open mind to seek satisfaction for our existence.

 

 SERVING THE COMMUNITY

  Living in our community since 2001, I have learned how important it is to respect what it means to be part of it.  I have had the opportunity to be active in many of the activities that have been made available. Many of you may know that I served as a Board member for two terms. I remember hearing residents’ comment that it was a thankless position and often perceived as an ego trip for some who sought recognition. I say that, to me, that was and has never been my perception.  Being elected to the Board was an honor. It was an endorsement of the residents’ trust and confidence in me that I would serve their interests as primary.

    Over the years, I have seen an erosion of the ideals that I cherished to be the primary mission of each Board member. What I have observed is that some members’ desire for personal recognition and power has gotten in their way. Yes, significant attributes of leadership are the ability to express empathy, patience, warmth, and sincere interest in the sentiments of others. It seems that the fiscal matters of the community are so significant and somehow have become so dominant that there has been a loss of insight into the human sentiments, opinions, or views of some board members.  

    Yes, knowledge of management is important but need not supersede the human             relation skill to enhance goodwill for all.

                         "Please open your minds to what your mission is."