What are you giving up?

photo credit -ocarm.org

Most of the Christian community celebrate the season of Lent commencing Ash Wednesday [yesterday]. I'm sure even if we are not Christian we can identify with the principles as there is so much to be thankful for which we owe to a Higher Being. During those 40 days Christ spent in the desert and was tempted [as we have seen in Matthew 4],  He also fasted so as to prepare Himself for what was to come. He sacrificed His life for us to have a better life. What can we do in return so as to become closer to Him? Catholics abstain from eating meat on Wednesdays and Fridays but I can think of some ways that may be more feasible:

• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Quarreling/swearing
• Partying
• Gossip

Can you think of any others?

photo credit-knowledge-base script.com

This lenten period I pray for the gift of discernment so that I am able to distinguish true/real from fake and misleading. We are all imperfect beings but sometimes we try to live up to the unrealistic expectations that others have for us. Trying to be perfect is an illusion for only our Father in heaven is perfect. TD Jakes said something in his book that struck a chord with me and this is: that we try to treat others the same way as we would like to be treated in our respective leadership roles [whether at home, work or play] however people will still try to criticize and pull us down regardless of what we do. We won't always be liked or supported by everyone for there will always be negative people. He says in his book 64 Lessons for a Life Without Limits [to paraphrase] that if we remain focused our own goals and remain who we are then we won't have a problem.

I hope to have some meaningful insights. Have a productive lent in your journey toward spiritual enlightenment. Try to stay true to yourself and be the best you can possibly be...AND steer clear of the naysayers for most times they are far from perfect themselves and not in a better position than you!!

Over too soon!

Hope everyone had a great Carnival or at least enjoyed the sights and sounds from afar if you didn't take part. Congrats to all the winners of Soca Monarch and Dimanche Gras...Who's your pick for Road March? To the spectators hope you will visit our shores come next year Carnival 2013!

As the last few hours count down to Ash Wednesday....let's use this time to rest and rejuvenate cos it's back to the grind tomorrow...Let's make it count people!

We in D mas'!!

Hope you're enjoying the mas' wherever you are. For the folks in the US hope you had a great President's Day......Here's a link to a live stream of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago...Enjoy!

http://www.ctntworld.com/livestream/

Happy Carnival!!

Have a happy and safe Carnival everyone!!

Here's the results of one of the biggest competitions in Trinidad & Tobago....

SOCA MONARCH RESULTS

Power

1. Machel Montano (Pump Yuh Flag)

2. Iwer George (No Pain)

3. Destra (Link Up)

4. Prophet Benjamin (Throw Wine) & Blaxx (Inside Ah Band)

Groovy

1. Machel Montano (Mr Fete)

2. Kerwin Du Bois (Bacchanalist)

3. Benjai (People's Champion)

4. Nadia Batson (No Pressure)

5. Kees Diffenthaller (Stress Away)

For performances ...you can check it out on youtube.

Where it all began: Carnival!

photo credit-gocaribbean.about.com

Tomorrow is Fantastic [Carnival] Friday here in Trinidad & Tobago. To many it's the lead up to the revelry of mas' in all it's splendour as the streets explode into a kaleidoscope of colour: the costumes (which all tell a story) adorned with beads, cloth, glitter and feathers coupled with the excitement and pulsating musical rhythms as masqueraders cross the Big stage. The festival was first introduced by the French settlers to this island around 1785 with fancy balls or masquerades and soon caught on with the slaves as history tells us it was a way for them to celebrate their new found freedom when slavery was abolished. Stick fighting and ole mas' (the latter which is a mini skit put on to "air" the grievances of the day as it pokes fun at some of the current affairs) are some of the more tradition legacies that we still practise today. It is a tradition rich in culture that has grown and exploded into a liberation for many people up to this day...as a way to free all of their stresses from the entire year which they look forward to with anticipation.

Many others use it to escape to the beaches and catch up with friends and family...like me. Yet others take to the streets and savannah to spectate and watch it all unfold...maybe I'll find the time to do that too...

Where ever Carnival meets you...please be safe and remember to Make it Count.

The soundtracks of our life!!

Isn't music just wonderful?! At the moment I'm listening to Maroon 5 #handsallover   *whistles*

photo credit -good-wallpapers.com

Just thought I'd share with you 5 things music can do:

• Bring people together (cultures, religions, race, countries) 

• Make memories come to life & provide the soundtracks to our life

• Take the pain away #soothing

• A nice way to pass the time (esp when you're bored or having a bad day)

• Provide entertainment for events - parties, Christmas, church, graduation, birthdays, anniversaries, other milestones 

• OK here's a bonus: It provides an opportunity to showcase our talents/musical abilities & share our gifts with the world

I love music...(can u tell) these are some of my fav artistes/bands of all time....what are some of yours? Feel free to post your comments!!

• Bob Marley
• Whitney Houston
• George Michael
• Michael Jackson
• Maroon 5
• Madonna
• Cindi Lauper
• Prince
• U2
• Journey
• Jah Cure
• Richie Spice
• Kees the Band
• Culture Club
• Sting and the Police
• Aerosmith
• Adele
• John Legend
• UB40
• Sean Paul
• Blondie
• The Black Eye Peas
• Evanescence
• Most 80s music!!

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain"
Bob Marley -(1945-1981)

Thanks for the support!!

Have a good week everyone!! Is it me or did Monday just go by in a whoosh?!! The world is our stage as the days inch closer to Trinidad Carnival. Still not too late to take a flight down to take it all in...if not I'm sure it will be available online...will be posting links as soon as it's available.

On another note, I want to say a BIG THANKS for everyone that has purchased copies of my new book Thinking out Loud. I really appreciate the support.

For those of you whose interest I've peaked...you can check out one of the reviews here: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/woman-magazine/Thinking-out-loud-136873018.html

If you would like to order your own copy....it's available on amazon and lulu ---->

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326334445&sr=1-1 (US)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382 (UK)

https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=11764998

Be blessed and have a gr8 week!!

XO

5000+ hits

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Thanks for the support...my blog has just passed 5000 hits...

Thanks mucho:-)

Please feel free to post your comments and ratings!!

Your Music is Timeless...

The world mourns another legend...this time it's Whitney Houston. I remember singing one of her hits: One moment in time at my primary (elementary) school graduation....I remember all the words to this day. The Bodyguard was one of my favourite movies...along with Waiting to Exhale. Someone just remarked on cnn that when you live a life in the spotlight everyone knows what you're going through at any given moment. I think that not all times this is true. These talented famous people get on stage and make appearances to wow the world and make us happy while making records and movies as part of their job, but no one really knows how they truly feel inside when they get home at night and shut the doors to the world. It's really sad indeed, that sometimes it's those with the greatest talent are the ones with the most pain and internal warfare and need the most love and support. Just a week or so ago it was Don Cornelius. It's sad to think that while they make sooo many people happy around the world...they can't find that happiness within to make the pain go away....really sad. 

Their music and life's work are able to break down borders and traverse race, geography, languages, culture and religion....their music is timeless. Some of them however live a really lonely and tormented life and to onlookers it seems that everything is all glitz and glamour and everything is all well in their world but all that glitters is not gold. It's good to acknowledge the talent in others but always recognize the source. We (myself included) must live our life in such a way to nourish and keep connected to that source that we will always be able to let our talents shine for the world to enjoy. We must be able to surmount the fears, obstacles and temptations that may block us from our true path and connection to God which is the true and almighty source of all talent.

I'll leave you with the words of the Emmy award winning song that Whitney made famous in 1988: 

"You're a winner for a lifetime, if you seize that one moment in time...Make it shine..." 

- From One Moment in Time (1988) recorded by Whitney Houston and written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis.

Your music created wonderful memories for us all...RIP...definitely gone too soon.