Columns

When last have you had a belly full of laughter? One that makes water run down your face or makes you drop and roll? Well, it is good to laugh. Laughter is the best medicine. There's nothing more pleasurable than a good, hearty laugh. Laughing doesn't just make you happy; it's good for your mental health as well. Research has shown that laughter even has the ability to heal and make you healthy. It also claims that laughter has many benefits namely:

There is no doubt that the events or happenings which transpired over the past month have left many in a state of disappointment. Any time our hopes are not realized, or our expectations or desires are not fulfilled, we feel some level of disappointment or sadness. When things don't turn out the way we hoped, it may seem like the end of the world but it need not be so. It is how we deal with it that will make the difference.

The 15th of February was indeed a significant and memorable day in the history of our nation. It was the day the electorate gave the mandate to the elected Government to serve them for the next five years. Therefore regardless of our political persuasions, it is time to put them aside and pray for our newly elected Government, the cabinet, and for all those in authority.

I read with interest two lengthy and informative articles that were published in this paper over the past few weeks. They were written by Anguillians who are each prominent and respected educators. Both of these men discussed their views of the current state of education in Anguilla, and both found it lacking.

Today amidst the triumph and jubilation, I urge us as a people to pause, step back, and stop to give thanks to God for His boundless blessings towards us. It is a responsibility to which we are all duty bound. It comes to us in the form of a command. "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts," (1 Chronicles 16:8 – 17). A constant theme of Scripture is the call to remember the great things God has done for His people. People of faith recognize this and respond by being thankful and we are no exception. God has been good to us and for that we ought to give Him thanks.

As the election campaign comes to a peak, there is a heightened sense of anxiety in the air as people seek answers to questions such as: Which of the candidates do you think will be chosen? Who do you think will form the next Government? Who do you think will emerge as the Chief Minister? Do you think he or she would have what it takes to get us through these trying times?

Another significant moment in Anguilla’s history that has the potential to drastically change its course will soon be upon us. The upcoming General Elections will present yet another opportunity for the populace to decide which direction Anguilla will take and who will direct its affairs for the next five years. The questions that confront us are: who will it be? And which direction will the country take? These questions can only be determined by you – the electorate. You have the power and it lies in your hands. Will you leave it to chance? Or will you do something about it?

The earthquake of January 12 this year was not only one of the biggest catastrophes that ever beset the Caribbean in numbers of human life lost but also a nearly total annihilation of perhaps the most important architectural heritage of our region: The Haitian Gingerbread House.

Last week I suggested a goal to make Anguilla’s school system one of the best in the Caribbean. I said that first step toward this goal is setting a vision, and then finding the leadership to bring that vision to reality. A number of people spoke to me about the article. They all thought that this was a worthy goal. This isn’t surprising. How can you object to having a great school system? However, none of them appeared to be too optimistic about it occurring any time soon.

Most women expect to gain weight during their pregnancy, but many are not sure how much weight gain is normal and how much is a cause for concern. Gaining the right amount during pregnancy helps to ensure that the developing baby gets the required nutrients for optimal growth. Gaining too much or too little can be harmful to you the pregnant and your baby.

The election fever continues to get hotter as that day draws closer and there is a resounding call for aspiring leaders to demonstrate a spirit of transparency, a culture of accountability and be a leader of integrity. But is it possible for leaders to do so?
In our world of shifting standards, can integrity be acquired by those who don’t have it? Can people give what they don’t have?

Many candidates are vying for political office in the upcoming general elections. This is commendable for it shows that democracy is alive and well in Anguilla. But do you - as a people - know and understand what is each independent candidate's or party’s vision for the nation? Do you know where they wish to take you for the next five years if they are elected? Do you know what they want to achieve? Do any of the visions align with your vision as a people?

Anguilla is one of the top high-end tourist destinations in the Caribbean. We have all read this statement many times in numerous articles. There is no doubt that this is quite an honour. Anguillians should be proud of this distinguished reputation. However, I wonder if you would agree with me if I said the following: I would rather have Anguilla be known for having the best education system in the Caribbean. What do you think? Which is more important? Which would you choose if you had to pick one?

Listening to the political campaigns as they bombard the airwaves, one constantly hears about good leaders and bad leaders, but how can one really tell the difference? What must a person look for in a leader that will tell if that person is either a good leader or bad leader? Hence it is important to know for sure before that crucial time comes and before casting your vote because no organization can rise above the quality of its leadership. What does research has to say about these two types of leaders? How can one spot them? Well, here is what the research literature has to say about both of them.

The 2010 Election Champaign is in full swing. Candidates are holding meetings all across the island appealing for your support on Election Day which is fast approaching, but do you know or understand how to select a candidate? Well it is time to choose! Pick a candidate! Who will it be?

If you are still undecided as to who to support, here are a few steps to help you:-

Recently, I wrote about the difficulties that some children have in regulating their attention. I noted that we all have times in which we struggle to remain focused on the task at hand. However, some children (and adults) find this to be the case most of the time. Their inability to regulate their attention and their behavior is so limited that they have difficulty at home and at school, they struggle to maintain friendships, and they often get into trouble.

As the old year comes to an end we anxiously await the words "Happy New Year!” which mark the beginning of a new start. It is a time of great excitement and reflection when we ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that happened the past year: the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and the fun times and then look ahead to the New Year in great anticipation.

It is that time of year when people go out of their way and even the extra mile to purchase and present gifts. Gifts of all sorts -toys, cosmetics, jewelry, spa treatments, fragrances, utensils, linens, trips and the list could go on and on. Big gifts, small gifts, you name it. It is also the time when many people will be disappointed to the extent that they will curse and cry because they either would not have received any gifts or they would not have liked the gift they received.

There are a lot of things that can get in the way of children’s learning. I have discussed a number of these over the past months. Some children need extra one-on-one or small group instruction to help overcome lack of early childhood exposure to language, books, or proper social skills. Some children have learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to learn to read. Other children come to school without enough food or sleep, or carry with them significant family problems, such as grief or loss, that take their minds of school work. Still others have behavior difficulties that distract them (and others) from learning.

Christmas has become a very commercial holiday. Rushing around to buy presents, people tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Aside from decorating the house, purchasing gifts, partying and food preparation, there are other fun ways to celebrate that reflect the true meaning of the holiday.