‘Inspire the Child’…
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, acceptance and advancement are the concepts that constitute the primary arguments expounded in the recently released publication, ‘Inspire the Child’.

Author, Mr. Gary Thompson, posits that the text is uniquely designed for families in the interest of fostering quality relationships among them.

With the family being the single most important unit responsible for social growth and economic progress, Thompson says the expectation is that ‘Inspire the Child’ will not only forge closer relationships, but also have, as a result of those closer ties, more persons committed to working with their children to craft an understanding of healthy thinking.

“What the book aims for is the dissemination of information to parents primarily and children, to advance child development,” Thompson said, adding: “People have untapped potential, and the book is trying to use the family unit to explore that potential in children. As a self, one has a purpose that can be realised through self confidence, self application and self knowledge.”

The latter three traits are explored at length in the book, as are several pieces of poetry and motivational prose.

Thompson said that inasmuch as the universal law of success is that everyone has the potential to achieve social, economic and spiritual wealth, this universality cannot be achieved if self sees self as an island.

By way of explaining what he meant, Thompson said: “Collectively, we are reliant on each other, and if we understand this philosophy, then we can achieve success. At the family level, it speaks to the development of a social network, a close relationship that will recognise each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

It is in this manner, he said, that the ultimate objective will be attained if the family endorses a collective vision.

He said that while ‘Inspire the Child’ refers to the need for a “collective vision that is crafted to positively transform the lives of our youth, the young at heart and people of this world,” the other writings found in the book are an acknowledgement of the child, as is reflected in a piece of verse titled, ‘Believe In Yourself’.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
There is substance
Within
If only you seek “U”
Shall receive
There is substance
Unmatched
And untold of
that years to be
Discovered.
The Ideal Self…
The Looking Glass Self…
The Self Image…
None stand up to the
Real Self
The Real Self speaks of
Substance Unmatched
And Untold
And yearns to be discovered
You’ve got the substance
To mould a mind
Shape a soul and
Feed the belly of a
Nation
If only you believe
Believe in yourself
Stand with
Self knowledge
Self confidence
And Self Application
Nothing that ever was or that
Shall ever be can stand up
To what you’ve got
You’ve got the substance
To mould a mind
Shape a soul and
Feed the belly of a
Nation
Stand tall in the realm of the
Real Self
There is no self like the Real Self
Believe in yourself.

Different perspective
Alluding to the intent of the poem, Thompson pointed out that while a thousand books may give guidelines that inspire, ‘Inspire the Child’ brings a different perspective to motivational writing, in that it focuses on the underlying situations rather than only solutions.

“If we are going to inspire a child,” he said, “the books talks about understanding a child’s passion…By engaging in different activities, the books tries to help parents to develop their children and over time align their development with their passion.”

Noting that the pursuit of anything without passion defeats the whole purpose of the pursuit in itself, the author referred to one of the poems in the book which addresses this particular situation, a piece entitled ‘Stranger to Myself’, which asks the question: What is my (the child’s) purpose? Is my purpose aligned to passion?

In his book, Thompson outlines a number of ways in which families can identify what a child’s passion is. Primary of these means is the Family Task Plan which recommends the setting aside of quality time each day.

“This creates a standard approach to address development,” he said. “What happens, is that people don’t make time, and this causes outside influences, most times negative, to shape the mind of youth. The family task plan helps parents to take responsibility for both their actions and inactions as it relates to the development of their children.”

With regards to cases where there is inaction by leaders in the family, the author acknowledged that complacency will at some time occur, since human beings tend to “get comfortable” at some point. He, however, noted that this malaise can be countered by the choices that persons make, and the degree of emotional intelligence they exert.

To quote a poem from the book on the subject of ‘Emotional Intelligence’: “Strong people stand their ground. They are the embodiment of emotional intelligence.”

Relative to the subject of choice is another piece entitled, ‘You’ve Got Choices’, which says: “You’ve got choices. You can choose to influence people or be influenced by them…The greatest reward in life can be found in healthy leadership.”

Thompson added that the family, in understanding their social responsibility, acts as the quintessential role model. “This unit will shape change,” he said, adding that many youths, not being media literate, are unable to sift through the information to extract what is relevant.

However,
while acknowledging that influences outside the family can be beneficial, Thompson warns against allowing said influences from being idolised.

Said he: “A child can look at Bill Gates, for example, and say I want to be like Bill Gates, but that is not what ‘Inspire the Child’ intends. What can be taken are lessons from how Gates got to where he is.”

Echoing these views a piece entitled, ‘I Was Born To Lead’, which says: “I shall rule over my purpose with the wisdom of my heart.”

Crique
tiThroughout the book, there is a general concurrence of the potential each child possesses.

This, while good, is also a point for criticism, primary of which, is the neglect in underscoring the inevitability of challenge and hardships.

In response to this criticism, Thompson observed that far too much attention is already placed on the negative, which is why the book’s focus steps away from it.

“Challenge is inevitable yes but the moment you focus on obstacles an individual automatically puts up barriers for themselves, ignoring their potential…You can acknowledge the challenge but more emphasis needs to be on the positive,” he opined.

Noting that ‘Inspire the Child’ conditions the reader to focus on the solution rather than situations that cannot be changed, Thompson referred to another poem, one titled ‘Positive Mindset’ which addresses this very subject.

That piece reads: “You can say no and I sat yes I can, I can…I am a positive symbol of life. I am driven by a positive mindset. A mindset that knows itself as the author of bliss, bliss in perfection, happiness, health and wealth. You say no and I say yes I can, I can.”

As Thompson concluded: “The principles explained in the book are the hub of what is necessary to create change.”

Advancing the book’s message is the organization, ‘Inspire the Child, Inspire the Change Foundation’ which currently mentors approximately 15 children and is expected to be expanded soon.

The International Year of Biodiversity
BIODIVERSITY supports all aspects of our existence, and it is against this backdrop that the United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).

This gives us twelve (12) months to celebrate life on Earth and reflect on the value of biodiversity to our lives. In a time when economic development and personal gratification seem to be overshadowing environmental value, we need to take appropriate action to safeguard the variety of life on earth. Humans are considered the most intellectual of all forms of biodiversity, and have the power to make conscience decisions to protect or destroy it.

Life on earth is closely knitted in a balanced network of inter-relationships, and disrupting one aspect will automatically alter this equilibrium. Hence, the vital services of life, such as food, fuel, health, wealth, clear air/water etc. are all provided by the rich variety of life on earth, i.e., our biodiversity. This support system of living things is being threatened, because humans, in our quest for wealth and a ‘so–called’ successful life have accelerated the destruction of biodiversity. This is having serious consequences, since many of these loses are irreversible, causes poverty and affect the delicate balance of life on earth.

However, all is not lost; world leaders have recognized the crucial role biodiversity plays on earth and have taken steps to effect its preservation. As a result, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) which seeks to generate public pressure for action by the world’s leaders.

Guyana being a signatory to the convention has obligations to create programmes for the sustainable use and protection of our rich biodiversity. The EPA is the focal point for the CBD, and works closely with other partners such as the Wildlife Division, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International (CI), Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation, Guyana Marine Turtles Conservation Society (GMTCS), National Parks Commission (NPC) and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) among others to ensure conservation and sustainable utilization of Guyana’s biodiversity.

During the year, the EPA has identified a number of activities to celebrate biodiversity and stimulate positive actions. Some of these activities include:

– Public Awareness (Newspapers, Television, Radio)
– Exhibitions
– Poster Competitions
– Essay Competitions
– Series of documentaries of Guyana’s Biodiversity aired on TV
– Presentations in various forms from different groups
– Panel discussions
– Environmental Quiz Competition on Biodiversity
– Development, printing and distribution of materials on biodiversity
– Conducting environmental camps in the different regions
– Video Shows on biodiversity
– Nature hikes
– Environmental Club activities
– Tours
– Mural painting on the seawall
– Television advertisement on biodiversity
– Annual Wildlife Festival
Ensure you learn about the activities in your area and take action. You have an entire year to learn all you can about the rich variety of life on earth which affects all of us. We can choose to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. The decision is yours – to contribute to the sustainability of biodiversity or to its destruction.

Let’s Celebrate Life- Let’s Celebrate Biodiversity.
References
www.cbd.int/2010
www.acclaimimages.com
You can share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division. The Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Street, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com