Optimism can save us
Published:Monday | January 4, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Allen
The Editor, Sir:
Some years ago I learnt the importance of positive thinking. You know the story of the glass with water - the pessimist sees it as half empty but the optimist as half full. Well, it seems of late that life has offered us many lemons and water and we really need to think of what can be done with these - do I make lemonade or do I complain?
We were taught long ago that we have to "tek yuh hand an tun fashan", that is, make the best use of every opportunity that life offers you. Complaining has never really helped anyone much, except that we keep heaping loads on our head. We can however brace ourselves and find and practise the best survival skills.
Excellent message
The governor general's New Year's message published in this paper is one that I recommend to be read and kept by everyone as continuous referral. The seven points outlined in his message give us hope to forge ahead despite our challenges. It will ease the worry and complaints because it is a refreshing speech. Jamaicans are strong and we can exist in difficult situation.
Like the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who understood struggles and pain and overcame through patience and optimism, we can.
Our deepest fear
We can because: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure ... There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
"We are all meant to shine, as children do. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Nelson Mandela.
Therefore, let us compose ourselves and exist instead of trying to live. We can!
I am, etc.,
Everton Tyndale
Royal Flat
Mandeville, Manchester