Today, etiquette is looser and less obsessive. As a consequence, social courtesy has declined in ever-changing social norms. It begs the question: Are social media, texting, technology and liberalism causing a change in politeness? Or is being bombarded with news, communication and a fast-paced life engendering apathy to basic civilities? Common courtesy and respect seem…
The timeless power of love songs to communicate emotions. We all have our favourite classic love songs. Unforgettable is ‘I Will Always Love You’ (Whitney Houston). ‘Endless Love’ (Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross). ‘I’m Still in Love with You’ (Al Green). ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ (Stevie Wonder), to name a few. In some cases, expressing love…
Celebrating yourself as a 50+ black woman. Celebrate your authenticity, personal growth, empowerment and inner strength. If you have yet to celebrate yourself, it is time to declare unapologetically that this is your time to thrive and live your best life. It is said, “Life is a journey, not a destination”. And what a journey…
Christmas is a joyous time full of festive celebrations and traditions. It is synonymous with connecting with family and friends when altruism is at its peak. Compared to the past, Christmas has evolved and the importance of its Christian origin, celebrating the birth of Jesus, has weakened. With consumerism now at its core, it emphasises…
Criticised for its authoritarian parenting style and use of corporal punishment, Caribbean parenting nonetheless has constructive aspects. This deep-seated cultural practice sets clear boundaries, fostering independence within limits and instilling respect, discipline, guidance, accountability and obedience. Some of the practices mentioned in this post relate to the parenting style of the Silent Generation, the parents…
The children of Windrush parents form two camps: those who remained in the Caribbean with grandparents and later joined their parents in England and those born in England but sent to live with grandparents in the Caribbean. Of the latter group, I was sent from England at the tender age of three and a half….
British-born women who decide to live or retire in the Caribbean are not, in the true sense, conventional ex-pats. The Caribbean, after all, is part of their heritage, hence, they do not follow the standard categories of trailblazers, career women (though some are), adventure seekers or corporate spouses. Still, though every ex-pat’s journey is unique,…
Our diverse lives become our story and we are the hero protagonists. During this epic journey we gain life lessons, personal growth, memories and anecdotes and become resilient. Stories being what they are affect the teller and listener, appealing to our senses and emotions, impacting and connecting us. Telling our story can be powerful and…
New alternative best friends can come in different guises, providing the same invaluable, trust, support, help and can stand the test of time. Personal examples are: Web browsers, the modern-day Oracle software for accessing an innumerable amount of information. I love the way it answers my questions instantly. Is there anything it doesn’t know? Alexia…
Myths are ancient stories explaining certain cultures’ early history and origins. They have deep symbolic meanings derived from cultural traditions or legends. Some myths feature supernatural creatures and beings, as in the Greek myths or fixed, false beliefs or ideas of a particular type of person. This latter aspect is the subject of this post,…