Are You Really Thirty-six Bahamas? - The President's Blog for July 9, 2009
This week, the Bahamas marks its 36th anniversary as an independent nation from its mother, Great Britain. Accordingly, this occasion calls for celebration and thanksgiving as well as reflection, introspection and projection.
Characteristics of a Thirty-six year old person
Normally a Thirty-six year old person is married with family, shouldering his responsibility and or demonstrating maturity even if unmarried. Otherwise his parents may wonder if something is lacking. It would seem to me that no less is expected of a 36_ year old nation. In 1973 the Bahamas cut its navel string from Mother England. Since then it has performed well as an independent nation so much so that it has become the envy of many nations in terms of standard of living, geography and democratic governance. Rarely do similar nations conduct their national elections without fatality and lasting acrimony. Notwithstanding the preceding there is however concern in respect for law and order on our streets; respect for personal property and the ability to resolve daily and especially domestic conflicts. Additionally, there seems to be a growing lack of direction and despair which, unfortunately, may have led to an unusual number of suicides for 2009. Is
there a transition from responsibility to irresponsibility?
Independence does not mean freedom to do as one pleases
Independence does not mean freedom to do as one feels without regard for others. In fact, independence carries with it greater accountability. By becoming independent one says, “I am willing to take the ‘driver’s steering wheel.’” So there is
definitely the need to demonstrate patience and respect for law on our streets and elsewhere! After Thirty-six years, we should have developed a degree of maturity that would discourage theft of goods or man hours on the job. Maturity demands a commitment to integrity and responsibility and that we take ownership for our country. This means that we should do everything possible to build up and not tear down our Commonwealth.
It is alleged that some workers try to get a government job so that they could do as they please. While one is to be applauded for desiring to serve in the public sector, it ought to be so without a selfish motive to slack and slum with pay. Maturity demands that one questions his motive for a government job! When we shortchange our employer on the job, essentially we shortchange ourselves.
Thirty-six year old maturity discourages the need for a politician to dish out jobs favoring one side. Instead, one is considered on the basis of his or her qualification. It goes without saying that when a nation takes short cuts, the journey to success proves to be nothing but a much longer journey. By disregarding right and wholesome principles, we teach our children that it is alright to do the wrong as long as we get by, and thereby such questionable practices become the norm. Could this apparent failure on our part explain the unacceptable murder rate, suicide rate and child and spousal abuse? Could it be that a desire to fix our finances is leading some to conclude that legalizing gambling is the answer? Again I emphasize that independence does not mean freedom to do as I feel but that I act responsibly.
Thirty-six years old calls for Godly fear
How can one who understands anything about the Bahamas not possess some fear for the Almighty? Sometimes the goodness of God could be overlooked or taken for granted as a result of one’s giftedness, education and experience. This borders on what I refer to as the Nebuchadnezzar’s syndrome, which attributes all successes and accomplishments to man apart from God. Have we reached that state fellow Bahamians? If we have, it is about time that we get back to our Creator in respect, obedience and dependence; for we could never afford to be independent of Him. That is suicidal, to say the least, “For in Him we live, move and have our being.” Therefore, in the words of one of our nation’s pioneers, Timothy Gibson, “Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; 'Til the road you've trod lead unto your God.” Happy Independence!
Thought to Ponder:
“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Socrates
Thanks for giving to the new Bahamas Academy Building Fund
Characteristics of a Thirty-six year old person
Normally a Thirty-six year old person is married with family, shouldering his responsibility and or demonstrating maturity even if unmarried. Otherwise his parents may wonder if something is lacking. It would seem to me that no less is expected of a 36_ year old nation. In 1973 the Bahamas cut its navel string from Mother England. Since then it has performed well as an independent nation so much so that it has become the envy of many nations in terms of standard of living, geography and democratic governance. Rarely do similar nations conduct their national elections without fatality and lasting acrimony. Notwithstanding the preceding there is however concern in respect for law and order on our streets; respect for personal property and the ability to resolve daily and especially domestic conflicts. Additionally, there seems to be a growing lack of direction and despair which, unfortunately, may have led to an unusual number of suicides for 2009. Is
there a transition from responsibility to irresponsibility?
Independence does not mean freedom to do as one pleases
Independence does not mean freedom to do as one feels without regard for others. In fact, independence carries with it greater accountability. By becoming independent one says, “I am willing to take the ‘driver’s steering wheel.’” So there is
definitely the need to demonstrate patience and respect for law on our streets and elsewhere! After Thirty-six years, we should have developed a degree of maturity that would discourage theft of goods or man hours on the job. Maturity demands a commitment to integrity and responsibility and that we take ownership for our country. This means that we should do everything possible to build up and not tear down our Commonwealth.It is alleged that some workers try to get a government job so that they could do as they please. While one is to be applauded for desiring to serve in the public sector, it ought to be so without a selfish motive to slack and slum with pay. Maturity demands that one questions his motive for a government job! When we shortchange our employer on the job, essentially we shortchange ourselves.
Thirty-six year old maturity discourages the need for a politician to dish out jobs favoring one side. Instead, one is considered on the basis of his or her qualification. It goes without saying that when a nation takes short cuts, the journey to success proves to be nothing but a much longer journey. By disregarding right and wholesome principles, we teach our children that it is alright to do the wrong as long as we get by, and thereby such questionable practices become the norm. Could this apparent failure on our part explain the unacceptable murder rate, suicide rate and child and spousal abuse? Could it be that a desire to fix our finances is leading some to conclude that legalizing gambling is the answer? Again I emphasize that independence does not mean freedom to do as I feel but that I act responsibly.
Thirty-six years old calls for Godly fear
How can one who understands anything about the Bahamas not possess some fear for the Almighty? Sometimes the goodness of God could be overlooked or taken for granted as a result of one’s giftedness, education and experience. This borders on what I refer to as the Nebuchadnezzar’s syndrome, which attributes all successes and accomplishments to man apart from God. Have we reached that state fellow Bahamians? If we have, it is about time that we get back to our Creator in respect, obedience and dependence; for we could never afford to be independent of Him. That is suicidal, to say the least, “For in Him we live, move and have our being.” Therefore, in the words of one of our nation’s pioneers, Timothy Gibson, “Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; 'Til the road you've trod lead unto your God.” Happy Independence!
Thought to Ponder:
“An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Socrates
Thanks for giving to the new Bahamas Academy Building Fund
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