Why We Should Never Compare Guyana to the US or UK!

Guyana's 50th Logo

One early Saturday morning I woke up, got prepared as quickly as I could, gathered my family and made a visit to the Meadow Bank wharf. My mission was very simple, get in and out with cheaper and nice fresh fish. Of course if you live in Guyana you will know that Meadow Bank once had the best prices and deals in Georgetown for fresh fish. Just one caveat - the prices are not lower than elsewhere it is on par with others.

After leaving the fish market I made a stop at Bourda Market then made my way to GPL. With my bill in hand I got to GPL on Main Street only to discover I was early and the office had not yet opened for the day. So after realizing that they would open soon I waited.

Finally, after what seemed like about 3 lifetimes the folks who assembled outside along with myself

The Golden Arrow Head

went in to pay our bills. I was happy because I was first in line. During our wait a discussion began between an older man who was behind me and myself about the 50th Jubilee celebrations. The conversation was lively and was going good and the man shared his concerns about the country. Then another man who was behind this man and obviously older in age - he seemed like 80+ years spoke up with a louder tone and said, "I wish Guyana was still under the British. If we were we would have never been like this". This to my hearing was utter hogwash! How could this man say this? Why was he so sour? These questions flooded my mind. So I decided to speak up and shared something. I spoke to both the man who was behind and the older man who was behind him and those who were there. My words were, "Could you tell me how old is UK? Could you tell me how old is the US?" You cannot compare the UK which is much older than the US that is over 230 years old! Guyana is merely a 50 year old person and to make a comparison would be unfair and unjust!" The men stood in silence for while and older one complained how he worked in Guyana for such a long time and that I am now here.

My point was made, I paid my bill, wished them all the best and left for home with my family who were waiting for me outside. My point is one I would to highlight - Do not compare Guyana to the US or UK we simply are not on an even playing field. They have had over 200 years for the US and 300 years for UK to become who they are today and still who they are leaves much to be desired. 

The truth is, we are Guyanese and we should be extremely happy for who and what Guayan is today. Mind you this does not mean that we should negate the bad but let us focus on the good things we have going for us and let us look ahead past the obscurity, with hope to what is ahead! For crying out loud - be grateful for the good things! Like to old song says, count your blessings!

Happy 50th Independence Guyana! I love you! [In Guyanese parlance - meh luv yuh baad GT!]

Are You Idle?

What does it mean to be idle?  What are some of the causes of idleness?

Most  definitions  will say something like: (of people )  not working hard or lazy, an idle student   
( of machines, factories, etc. )  not in use 
to  lie/stand/remain idle   
( of people )  without work 
    unemployed 

For our purposes we will say that idleness is a way of life of just doing and being about nothing. In our parlance we call it liming or hanging out...now there is nothing wrong with hanging out or even liming but never let it be a way of life. 

What are some of the causes of idleness?

• The company you may keep ...if your friends are idle you will lean towards idleness
•  Laziness can cause idleness we should call a spade as it is. Sometimes it is good old fashion laziness.
• Lack of ambition or a plan for your life.
• Depression - feeling so down-trodden that you decide to do nothing about it.
• Cynicism - when you think so what about every task given to you
• Rebellion to life - when others told you what to do and controlled your life in some aspect so now you decide that no one will ever instruct you again and instead of being productive you will just do nothing to get back at them.
• Perhaps even the way you were brought up with a life of ease and comfort.

How can one assess whether they are really idle? 
Since idleness is linked to laziness I would like to suggest the following:

• Know what idleness is because in defining any problem will help you to effectively combat  or deal with it.
• Learn how to avoid it at all cost.
• Check to see how much of your time is used doing what is constructive against doing nothing.

What are some of the consequences of idleness? 
We can NEVER afford to be idle...just sitting twiddling our thumbs like my mom used to say.

Consequences of idleness are:

• You miss golden opportunities 
• You lose valuable time which can never be regained. Remember time is a valuable resource God has given us. That is why Moses prayed in Psalms 90:12 [KJV]  'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.'
• You run the risk of giving in sub-standard work.
• People do entrust with any task
• You have a bad reputation at the end of the day because an idle person is an unfaithful person, so they are like putting your faith in someone who is like a broken leg

Are there Biblical principles which are useful even as we examine the issue of idleness?
Yes...many.

• Proverbs 6:6-11 CEV  You lazy people can learn by watching an anthill.  [7]  Ants don't have leaders,  [8]  but they store up food during harvest season.  [9]  How long will you lie there doing nothing at all? When are you going to get up and stop sleeping?  [10]  Sleep a little. Doze a little. Fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs.  [11]  Suddenly, everything is gone, as though it had been taken by an armed robber.

• Proverbs 20:13 NIV  Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

• Proverbs 24:33-34 MSG  "A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next?  [34]  Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent house guest!"

And of course this list does not end here.

How does one transition from a life of idleness and embrace a meaningful life?

• Start with the little things by setting small benchmarks to reach.
• Ask someone [a loved one] or a group to help you monitor your progress
• Make a conscious decision to work diligently towards a goal...not a lofty one - reward yourself for achieving it.

Stop making excuses... and seek to find a way. My brother years ago we were playing game and I was losing against him and I started to complain about this not being right and found a few more excuses to throw in. He looked at me and said, "B, losers always have excuses but winners find a way!"

My first time with Blogging

Whenever I hear that my friends have their own blogs going I usually think, 'that's great'. Then the next thought comes to mind, 'well that's for those smart guys.'


Well I am not sure how much smarter I have become since then, but I believe that it is necessary to leave my mark on this world by writing on and from my own vantage point. Being a believer in Christ, the Holy Scriptures would not have been passed to us if they were not written at some point in time. Therefore record keeping is good - writing is good!


My expectations for this blog is fairly good but it looks like sweet and sour chicken. By this I mean that for the sweet part I will be able to write and share my experiences with all and sundry. Some of my sharing will include my own life experiences, some of the work I am involved with and I absolutely love. That is my graphic designs et al.  On the sour part my life seems to be getting more and more full with responsibilities and the likes. 


So I am now a blogger and loving it. Thanks in advance to those read and follow the blog.