Change Begins With Me

If you’re a Bahamian or if you’ve ever visited the Bahamas you’ll probably know that Paula Dean and her butter aint got nothin’ on us when it comes to our peas n’ rice, cracked conch, fried fish, and of course potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese, followed by guava duff, coconut tart and a lot of other tasty delights. By now the average Bahamian reading this, self included is already thinking about Sunday dinner. For this reason many of us are always fighting the battle of the bulge

Believing that a nation’s health is directly related to its wealth officials from the ministry of education have been having a series of workshops with teachers about integrating healthy nutrition choices into different subject areas of the primary school curriculum. The objective is to get the youngest members of our society along with their families excited about making good nutrition choices then we can begin to change our communities, our islands and our nation.

At the end of the workshop we were asked what we learned. The majority of teachers talked about making changes in their personal lives, eating smaller portions, eating more vegetables, reading food labels etc… To an outsider it may seem like what was being said had nothing to do with integrating healthy choices into the school curriculum, however for me it showed that we got it! We realized that if we wanted the change to come to our classrooms and our schools, our communities then it has to begin with us...

This is the way it is with life, if we want changes to come then we have to be willing to become the vehicle of change. So hopefully when September comes, (after much practice this summer), I'll be able to set a good example for my students by making better nutrition choices myself.:)

Note to teens: Remember one of my summer tips was to avoid too much fast food which can cause you to pack on the pounds. So how about joining me in my attempt to make better food choices this summer?

Thank God for the Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

by Bernadine McIntosh

The lighthouse stands,
A symbol of hope
In a world that seems
Dark with despair

It sends out a light
On the darkest of nights
Drawing in lost souls
From the storms of life

It gives you hope
Where it seems there is none
And symbolizes the true lighthouse
Jesus Christ, God’s only son

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12 (NLT)

I’ve always loved lighthouses. I’ve never actually been in one but I enjoy looking at pictures of lighthouses and reading stories built around them.

My favorite pictures of lighthouses are those where the waves are crashing against the cliffs and the lighthouse is somewhat in the distance seemingly just a small part of the picture, however it is the most important part.

These pictures remind me that no matter how tumultuous and chaotic life may become He, Jesus Christ, will always be there, the steady, unchanging presence that will guide me safely to my destination.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Psalm 27:1 (NLT)

Photo credit: Microsoft clip art.

Summer Time

Today it officially begins….

“What?” You ask.

My summer vacation… *big grin*

The exams papers have all been graded and report cards all handed out. On Friday afternoon I signed off at school for the last time until August 24th. So today marks the first day of my summer vacation.

YES!!!

Right now thoughts of summer (minus the heat) are as refreshing as that glass of ice tea. So bring on the lazy days of summer.

As usual my summer to do list includes a list of books I plan to read. Among them are Do Hard Things by Brett & Alex Harris and Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado (recommended by my bloggy buddy Iris). I’m sure I’ll think of a few other things to do this summer but for right now that sounds like heaven to me.

As you can tell, I'm excited about summer, how about you?

*Photo: Microsoft Clipart

GT Magazine June/August 2009

Click on a topic below to read some of the contents of this issue of Girl Talk.

ARTICLES


It is Hard (poem)


Let's Talk About Friends

Passing the Flame Fiction


Summer Time Tips

Spotlight on
Miss Leria Smith

Note from Publisher

The Freedom to Choose

What's Wrong With a Little Conversation? (A Mother's Perspective)

It is Hard

It is hard
To forget
To apologize
To save money
To be unselfish
To avoid mistakes
To keep out of a rut
To begin all over again
To make the best of all things
To keep your temper at all times
To think first and act afterwards
To maintain a high standard
To keep on keeping on
To shoulder blame
To be charitable
To admit error
To take advice
To forgive
But it pays!

- based on Matthew 7:1-2
Author Unknown

Let's Talk About Friends

By Bernadine McIntosh



"But I need a friend" this is the plaintive cry of many lonely teenagers.
According to Xenovia Munnings, a twelfth grader, "From the time you are born until you die you need the emotional support of others. Friendship with others offers you the opportunity to develop new interest and skills. When friends support you,” she continued, “you gain confidence to try new activities."

Friendship is a rare gift. Hence you need to be selective in whom you offer the gift of your friendship. If you choose the wrong friends you can find yourselves in places you don't need to be with people you don't need to be with.

The wrong friend can destroy the plans God has for your life. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company corrupts good character." Many times you may find yourself changing attitudes to fit in with whatever crowd you're hanging out with at the moment. If you hang with the "bad boys" or "bad girls" you may try to act a little tougher. You may swear here and there to make them feel like you're one of the crowd but deep inside you know that's not who you are. You are a unique individual created by God. However if you hang with certain people long enough you will begin to become who they are.

Young ladies, you are characterized by the company you keep. Yes everyone needs a friend however your friend should bring out positive qualities in you. Any friend who encourages you to do things that you are ashamed of is not a true friend. Psalm 119:9 asks a question, how can a young man (or young woman) keep his way pure? How can you keep yourself out of trouble young ladies? Verse 10 gives the answer. By living according to your, (God's) word. I encourage you to take these verses, memorize them and then live them. Be an example to your friends.



This article is from the very first issue of GT, June 2000

Passing the Flame Part 1

By B. McIntosh




“Can you believe it Dawn?” Elaine whispered excitedly, “next year that will be us up there. We’re going to be graduating from high school!” “I know! It is unreal! It seems like not too long ago we were leaving primary school and now here we are, at the end of our eleventh grade year.”

Did you ever think we’d be here Dawn? I mean, think about some of the things that happened since we started high school. I didn’t think our friendship would survive, I didn’t think we would survive …”

“Well it’s not over yet” Dawn whispered jokingly, “give it time.”

“Dawn! I’m being serious…,” Elaine whispered annoyed. However, she quickly quiet down as the indignant eyes of the lady next to her turned their way. “Do you mind?” They seemed to say. “I would like to hear what’s going on.”

Dawn giggled quietly as she saw Lainie’s mouth close mid sentence. “Wow, she thought I haven’t seen anyone have that effect on Lainie for a long time. Her laughter however was short lived as she felt Elaine poked her in the side. This time Elaine giggled as she heard Dawn’s gasp.

Simultaneously it seemed, from left, right and in front, several annoyed, chastising eyes turned their way. Careful not to look at each other both girls sat up, with their hands in their laps, lips tightly compressed to hold back laughter as they listened to hear what was being said to the class of 2009.

“Class of 2009, ” the graduation speaker was saying. “As you leave here and walk into a new phase of your life I want you to always remember the words of this song by Rascal Flatts. As he finished speaking, the music which had been playing quietly in the background as he neared the end of his speech was turned up on these words…

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget, All the ones who love you, in the place you left, I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, and you help somebody every chance you get, Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake, and always give more then you take.

But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything, My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish.

“Class of 2009, this is my wish for you,” he finished as he turned and walked to his seat to the thunderous applause of the graduating class and the audience.

“That is so beautiful!” Dawn whispered to Elaine. She saw several of their friends who were graduating wiping tears from their eyes as it really dawned on them, life as they knew it was over.

The rest of the graduation ceremony passed quickly and Dawn and Elaine pushed their way through the crowd to hug their friends who were now officially high school graduates. “We’re passing the flame to you girls now,” one of them smiled as she hugged Dawn and Elaine. “It’ll be your time to shine soon.”
“Next year it will be us,” Dawn said echoing what Elaine had said earlier. “Lainie, we are almost there…”

I know I said Dawn and Elaine would be graduating but they weren’t quite ready. They wanted to share their senior year with you. It’s been quite a while since my senior year so I’m a little lost. How about sending me some ideas on what should happen with Dawn & Elaine over the next few issues.

(Fiction)