D-WORDSLAYER

The following is published on Citizen4life, and is something to think about! The concept of the greater good is used to justify actions where loss affects a few/ or takes place to allow for a perceived greater benefit. There have been wars waged based on ‘the greater good’. During war it is believed that a few hundred men will sacrifice /lose their lives for their country to achieve their goal of strength or freedom. At work there are times when someone ‘takes one for the team’ because there are proposed future benefits for all. Sometimes it can be a salary to avoid layoffs, and at other times a salesman may be asked to allow another to take over a deal based on bigger benefits for the company in a bigger deal. Whatever the reason, it is considered a sacrifice for the benefit of others. As I think about this ‘rationale’ it seems that it is a double-edged sword which can be for both good or bad depending on the person using the phrase for justification of action or decision...

Some Thoughts… I’ve been following the news for quite some time and hoped there would be a different ending for, the Sioux tribe reservation in Standing Rock, North- south Dakota border, USA.  That was not the case. Sometimes the fire we feel within for good to prevail over evil gets a beating. This is one of those occasions when I’m really wishing and praying for a miracle. Is oil more important than water? Is oil so important that sacred burial lands can be seized to profit the interests of the new USA president and big businesses? I was reading an article by a writer published on Medium, which I seem to do quite a bit these days and my comment on his article was as follows; "When the rich destroy the earth. Standing Rock Sioux will now forever be a stain on the USA government 2017. Big business wins and a president with friends and an interest in the project moving forward has ensured he seeks the interest of self before nation. The grabbing of lands wh...

Hot topics… It can be difficult to press that publish button sometimes. It’s especially hard for me when the subject matter can generate angry negative feelings. Everyone will never share the same point of view on Religion, Sex , Politics. These are ‘hot topics’ and its like striking a match and watching a combustible response when tempers flare. I’ve been publishing some posts of a political nature and its fascinating to watch and sometimes read the comments. Its absolutely insane the way people hate or love. I’m not sure about what happened to sharing opinions and having some fiery discussions with mutual respect as the bar. Hmmm, yes, it seems people have been ignited to revel in hate and anger. The level of uncaring, and condescending disregard for those suffering or in need, makes me fierce. I want to protect and shield those who are forced into a state of loss and displacement from the anger and hatred coming from some corners of t...

The face of news The blogging world is like a parallel universe. It is a mixture of people, cultures, beliefs, religions, and a social cook-up of platforms for any type of diversity. The past year plus, has been a virtual world, filled with learning, technological experience being gained, and relationships, started, lost, and evolved based on commonalities. This is the way of the world. I've gained some friends who are quite skilled at their craft and blogging and are more than happy to help others. I've explored through articles, countries I've always wanted to visit, and shared tears and laughter as we discuss world events. What makes this year remarkable, is, I have learnt more about me than I would have, if I had not been blogging. The experiences, observations and thoughts are real, and with sharing something real comes responsibility. One must own their words and sometimes the effect of their words on others. We can influence, either positively or negatively...

This past weekend my mother was unwell. We do not agree on many things, and for a moment I thought she would leave too soon. As is the norm, when I visit we eventually disagree, mainly about differences in choices.My thoughts went to our most recent disagreement and ( in hindsight) it felt like a storm in a teacup, with the teacup being quite tiny. The trivial can be exponential in the moment, passing quickly like the ticking of a clock. Then overcome with emotion, I asked God to give us more time. Thus, I read some of her words, and I am reminded that my own ability comes from those genes shared with all her children. My mother writes. Yes she writes. She has published a few books locally in Trinidad and writes to the newspapers making comments on current events. Today I read  one of her stories which I am sharing with you. This is a local setting, but applies to different places worldwide. Her name is Maricita  Moreno Eversley. Consider This Consider the cross; n...

Culture & Religion Trinidad & Tobago is considered  a multi-cultural and multi-religious state.  I grew up with the understanding that we are not all the same but we are the same, and need to respect each other. As a child, I went to school with children of different races, religions and social status. We were all different shades of color, and different textures of hair. We all wore the same uniform, and combed our hair with two white ribbons ( a girl school). As children we played together and most importantly celebrated and learnt about each other’s religions. There was a religious instruction  class which shared on Christianity (Roman Catholicism), Islam, Hinduism, the three major religions in our society. There were other religions, like the Pentecostal / Evangelical, Orisha Baptists, Baha’i, which we were informed about based on the children in the class. The best thing about religious practices, as a child were the holidays. We were given a day off f...

The Blogging Society Today marks the first day in a collaboration between Laura Mikolaitis and myself. We have embarked on a connection between the USA and Trinidad, cold and hot weather with our personalities and pen as our armor. We met online, and our words have been speaking to each other. Laura M (as I will fondly call her) shares some comments which blow me away and send me into deep thought and emotion most times. She is daring, witty and a ‘marketing savant’, and great blog supporter. Before I heard her voice, I knew she would sound as she did. She sounds all girly and strong with a bit of laughter in her tone. I’ve discovered over the past months we share a passion for ‘humanitarian advocacy’ in the workplace and have a shared compassion for taking care of those who need a voice. We now share our voices and perspectives on some questions on blogging! Can blogging be considered ‘news’ or opinions? Donna-Luisa:   Well initially I thought blogging was more about ...

A Child's Hair... The ideas for a writer can come from anything. Social issues are always inspirational for me. While some topics can be sensational and controversial, the need to express an opinion can unearth suppressed emotional baggage. Growing up I had a thick mane of long hair. It grew and grew and never seemed to stop. Living in the Caribbean meant it was quite hot and uncomfortable many times when my hair was open. The texture of my hair was soft , wavy and wild. The other children would laugh at me when they tried to plait it because there were no 'ends', and thus would not stay fixed without a rubber-band. It unraveled on its own, thus I was in the minority of girls at school with challenges in braided styles. The News... As I read an article about a school in the Bahamas suspending a girl from school because her hair was not chemically 'relaxed' to appear straight and tame, the child in me appeared. This can be socially controversial, as confor...