One of the greatest fears we carry is the fear of losing – whether it is people, relationships, jobs, comforts, or securities we think will be there forever. We hold them tightly, as if clinging harder will make them stay. This illusion drains us...
Grand Market – the mention of it brings fond memories for many. It is the time of the year when festivities are in the air, the breeze is cool ... and, of course, it’s the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. Yes, we’re at the cusp of officially...
It’s 2:47 am and your phone buzzes on the nightstand. The notification suddenly glows in the darkness: “You’re on a 7-day streak!”; “Don’t break your streak!”. You feel the need to open the app right away for an emergency breathing exercise. Half-...
Actors on a stage We are all actors on a stage. Working for a reasonable wage. Playing a role in the show called life. Are you the star of the show? Are you the leading act? Are you the villain? Are you the victim? Are you an extra? Are you the...
For many, Jamaica conjures images of sun-kissed beaches and vibrant reggae music. But the heart of our island’s identity beats to a different rhythm, the quiet, ancient pulse of the moist forests. Covering a remarkable 85 per cent of our landscape...
Many times in life, we feel trapped, as if we have no choice but to go along with circumstances or people. We blame situations, people, or fate, thinking they forced us into what we are going through. This belief often brings temporary relief —...
How did humans become human? Understanding when, where and in what environmental conditions our early ancestors lived is central to solving the puzzle of human evolution. Unfortunately, pinning down a timeline of early human evolution has long been...
Situated in Coopers Hill, St Andrew, the Admiral’s Mountain Great House stands as a stately reminder of Jamaica’s layered history. Known also as Admiral Mountain, this grand estate was the residence of Admiral Peter Parker in 1780, then Commander-...
The International Day of Peace, celebrated on September 21, is a reminder of humanity’s shared dream: a world free from conflict, hatred, and division. Yet, peace is not just a global agenda. It is a personal practice. If we truly want a peaceful...
Set me free I am walking out because I must flee Before sadness opens the grave and swallow me I am leaving not to be with someone else I am leaving you for me, its time to uproot the tree Because the hurt is as plentiful as dirt You broke me into...
Standing under the generous shade of a neem tree ( Azadirachta Indica), one senses more than just relief from the mid-day sun. Here is a living symbol of history, health, culture, and inspiration. Though its origins lie in India and Burma, the neem...
As we embark on celebrating the “International Week of Peace”, let us pause to reflect on where peace truly resides. At the deepest level, there is only one religion that unites all of humanity: the religion of peace. Unlike religions created by...
After the collapse of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, plantations lacked a large, cheap labour force. At the same time, British India’s socioeconomic conditions rapidly deteriorated, causing widespread poverty. The solution to this dilemma took the...
We have all heard the analogies about Caribbean people and its culture – a compendium, mixed fruit salad, potpourri, melting pot – and we daresay, all of them are true. Add vibrancy, warmth, a riot of colours, explosion of flavours, range of...
Standing sentinel on the northern side of the main road between Savanna-la-Mar and Black River, the ruins of Ackendown Castle in Westmoreland whisper of a Jamaica that dared to dream in medieval stone. Its medieval-style masonry two towers linked...
We often hear the saying “no pain, no gain”, but do we live it? The moment pain comes into our lives, our first instinct is to escape, by ignoring, suppressing, or running away from it. Yet, pain isn’t here to punish us; it is here to teach us. It...
I parted the orange And took a peg And found myself telling you As citrus touched my tongue That I did not want to lose My head again How Artane and Seroquel Subsidised by the National Health Fund Couldn’t keep down the Pain of losing two years of...
If there is any ecosystem that can do it all, it’s the coral reef. After all, what other underwater habitat can support over a quarter of all marine species on Earth, protect our coastlines by absorbing 97 per cent of wave impact, serve as a...
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is the only recognised police force in the island, with jurisdiction in every parish. This was not always the case, and if one visited 17th or 18th-century Jamaica, they would find a country almost entirely void...
The rhythmic flow of water, the rustle of leaves, and the symphony of birdsong these are the timeless echoes of Jamaica’s soul. In the verdant heart of Westmoreland, a parish known for its sugarcane fields and coastal beauty, lies a natural...
Learning to be kind to oneself is a very deep and important aspect of our spiritual journey. Kindness begins not with others, but with the self. Many of us move through life feeling not good enough, unlovable, or constantly striving to meet the...
