Right now i am preparing for my departure from Japan back to my homeland Dominica, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea but i just want to share one of the quotes that i had the privilege to understand and discuss with my fellow participants of the Course that i attended.

It comes from a noted Japanese renaissance Man : Miyazawa Kenji, he did and dabbled in every and anything and assisted the farmers of the Iwate Prefecture (Hanamaki City) to increase agricultural production (rice) while instilling in them a sense of pride and commitment.

His quote: “We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey” rings well with us because we could understand the genesis of it, the pain. Off course, all the participants of the course came from the Caribbean and most of our pain is rooted in the rememberance of slavery, slave revolts but we have somehow evolved into a very peaceful society with small bouts of violence though.

However i feel that the quote is asking us to embrace the pain, ensure that we remember it, not just for the sake of remembrance but that we also channel that pain to strive for greater good. I will always remember the lessons learnt here in Japan, a very humble, respectful and appreciative country.

Just wanted to share this quote.

Below is also a poem, "Not Losing In The Rain," (translated in English) of Kenji that also symbolizes what he stood for as an individual:

not losing to the rain

not losing to the wind

not losing to the snow or to the heat of the summer

with a strong body

unfettered by desire

never losing temper

cultivating a quiet joy

every day four bowls of brown rice

miso and some vegetables to eat

in everything

count yourself last and put others before you

watching and listening, and understanding

and never forgetting

in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields

being in a little thatched hut

if there is a sick child to the east

going and nursing over them

if there is a tired mother to the west

going and shouldering her sheaf of rice

if there is someone near death to the south

going and saying there's no need to be afraid

if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north

telling them to leave off with such waste

when there's drought, shedding tears of sympathy

when the summer's cold, walk in concern and empathy

called a blockhead by everyone

without being praised

without being blamed

such a person

I want to become

The Great Words of the Humble Miyazawa Kenji

Nesta

I decided to add a new category to my blog and bless everyone with the quotes that i live by, follow, find or develop myself and off course also give insight into what i believe they mean and the impact they have or can have on my life. This is also in hope to assist my readers in pattern their lives after positive thoughts.

This week's quote, the first of many more, comes from Japan. I have found a love for this country and its leaders, historians, rituals, beliefs and customs. It is alot different from what i have experienced coming from a small Caribbean island, Dominica, but i can still relate to alot of the teachings and every day i marvel at how constructive and detailed and at the same time very simple life can be for a Japanese.

The first quote comes from Nitobe, Inazō agricultural economist, author, educator, diplomat, and politician during Meiji period and Taisho period Japan. He spent his life working towards peace and diplomacy and unto his death left a trail for others to follow. More information about him can be found at Wikipedia.

His quote that i choose to highlight in this blog is "To live is to work for others: To die is to do nothing. Self renunciation is the beginning of life."

Off course, i had already realised that a life of service to others is the best life someone can live, hence why i am so involved in community, service groups as well as my field of work (agriculture). I am not the one to point fingers at persons and tell them what they should or shouldn't be doing because i believe that one's conscience should be their guide but every now and then i wish some people could show some compassion, assist someone in need, just give a helping that. That gesture could go a long way in saving lives both directly and indirectly. I think it was Tupac who said that he may not save the world but he guarantees that he would spark the mind of someone who did or something like that.

But just to get back to my original quote, it is quite simple, we begin to truly live life when we serve others and i'm living life right now and encouraging others to do the same.

Other Quotations from him include:

"What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone's character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents."

"If there is anything to do, there is certainly a best way to do it, and the best way is both the most economical and the most graceful."

Until next week's quote: be good, do good.

Nesta

This poem was inspired by a conversation that i had with my Jamaican fren (Llorane Forsythe). It took only about ten minutes for me to write, i guess she just brought out the emotions i had inside me. Oh and i just wrote it so its fresh from my mind. Hope the readers like it too:

Tears

By Delroy Nesta Williams

My eyes are dry
No tears to cry
Nothing to sooth this pain inside
Tears
To comfort my fears
When I need you
Why are you not there?

A long time coming
Cheeks: a desert in wanting
It’s been so long
This thirst in need of quenching
I’m afraid I’ve forgotten how
Eyes, my heart pays for your sin
For you provide its soothing

Now even my mouth is ashamed of speaking
For it words can’t comfort my heart
Calls for attention to its pain
The mouth sings my hearts refrain
And my ears pass on the note
But my eyes won’t oblige
For its been so long since it has cried

I just checked out the video for the "Walk for Education" activity that was organized by the National Youth Council of Dominica and the Dominica Reunion 2008 Office. As usual, the politicians were the ones highlighted however it didnt detract from the moment and significance of encouraging D/cans to contribute to the fund.

It was maybe one of better activities so far, and i say that with my bias because i was involved in the planning and execution and because i am the President of the Youth Council. Just want to again thank all D/cans who participated, contributed or supported in whatever way possible. Our job isnt done yet, the Education Trust Fund still needs assistance and for further information you can always contact the office of the National Youth Council of Dominica at nyc_dom@hotmail.com or telephone number 448 6944.

Any other ideas or concerns for youth activities and developed can also be given to us as we are very receptive, ready and willing to assist in the various ways that we do.

Check out the video on the Diaspora-Dominican website by clicking here

Delroy

NYC President

If you ask anyone when they think of Japan what food they think of? the immediate answer would be sushi, the raw fish, rice and other foods delicacy known the world over. So today, i had a chance to take a short sushi class at a high school as part of our visit to Japan to look at agriculture and rural development.

So on arriving at the school, we had an introduction with principal and staff, then a welcoming party put on by staff and students. Following this we were welcomed into the kitchen where a professional chef awaited us.We were given specially designed aprons and headties, i got mine signed by some students after the class. The Chef then quickly demonstrated the basics to making sushi and before you know it we were all busy making sushi,

I must say it is an acquired taste, well at least for me, i tasted what i made, what the chef made and just couldnt come to grasp with eating raw seafood but i must say the process was totally worth it. I would do it again, i just wouldnt taste it after im done.

Anyways, plans are on the way for me to open my sush restuarant in Dominica when i get back home, lol, just kidding, dont think that would catch on in my island.

Until next time though, Arigato gozimas (jus a lil thing i learnt)

Dee

jus want to share a pic that i took out at Miracle Lake in Dominica on Sunday 7, September 2008, the day before i left for Japan. That was one nice experience and just the thing i needed to get me missing DA. I am now in Japan and i cant wait to get back home. The experience in Japan so far is a good one. Im taking some nice pics too, mainly of myself and the other Dominican on the trip so hopefully i will share them soon.

To get back to the Lake now, for those who dont know the story:

One of the newest natural wonder on Dominica is the Miracle Lake. This lake came into being 1997. The local people also call it the Holy Lake, because it`s genesis began on Sunday and went on for seven days. Originally the whole territory was a plateau till this Sunday in May of 1997. In the night a gigantic underground cave began to collapse, the ground level sank for approximately 100 meters and built within the seven days the Miracle Valley which filled with water afterwards.

Today`s natural wonder was a catastrophy for the farmer. Nearly all his plantations got damaged within seven days. The conclusion is that the Miracle Valley and Lake are situated on the private property and can only be visited with a permission of the owner. Besides it would be very dangerous to look for the way down to the lake on your own, as the land is still moving and it leads approximately 100 meters down in a very steep and slippy trail.

I didnt make it to the shores of the Lake because of the weather but im sure i will be back sometime soon because i just want to feel that green water between my fingers. Im hoping that my environmental group (Dominica Youth Environment Organization) who organized the visit will also come along for that one as well when we descend Miracle Valley.

just posting a pic of me at the Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair. I had a fun time performing and looking at others perform as well.

My eyes looked closed but its only because i am looking down at my paper, i got some good reviews and hoping to continue my poetry and off course looking for every opportunity to perform them too.

Dee