I WAS a bit exhausted after working around the clock for over a week at CARIFESTA. It was a good kind of exhaustion because it was a successful trip. I woke up with the usual sound of the waves and reflection on my trip and relaxed for a while; counting down to the last day on the beautiful island of Barbados where I once called home.

I asked myself: what do you want to do with the last 24 hours on the island? I had a couple of lunch and dinner invitations and an invitation to CPL Cricket, among other things. One of the things I enjoyed doing while living there was sitting on Brandons Beach and watching the sunset and enjoying the seaside. I sent a simple WhatsApp message to Linda, Alanda, Dorma, Pat, Caramel, and Tessa saying `let’s go to Brandons Beach and that they should wear white outfits.’ I envisioned it similar to the `Beyond The Runway’ retreat in Guyana (minus the beach). I decided to visit Mrs Cita Pilgrim, Consul General and Ms. Monique Jackman Deputy Consul General who are two phenomenal women.

I also had lunch with Denise Young Brown and enjoyed the sunset with my sisters. The memories and the stories we shared on that beach will be imprinted in our minds forever. As I was viewing the pictures I saw one with many footprints and lives of the footprints in the sand. So many people traverse this beach every day and everyone has a story. Invisible faces to those footprints and across race, colour or nationality. Some are happy, sad, the abused, the abusers, the people who love and the people who hate.

We should not be embarrassed to tell our story because that is what makes us the unique individuals we are today. Begin with the end in mind and that will guide you to the legacy you want to leave. Those ladies did not ask why they should join me or why they should wear white because they trusted me. People always compliment me on my charisma which is a plus to possess, and I always remember the words of John Maxwell: “Charisma will get you in the door but credibility will keep you there“ They all expressed what a privilege it was to have me as part of their lives and that feeling is reciprocated. We agreed to continue our journey to the abundant life. We left the beach and headed to a restaurant for dinner and everyone turned around when we walked in.

Some could not keep the questions to themselves and they were like “Are you ladies just off a movie set?”“You look like the women in waiting to exhale!” We explained that it was just friends and sisters enjoying time together. I challenge you the next time you see a footprint in the sand, to imagine what life that person leads and what you would like people to think about you from the image of your footprint. Send your comments to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com and visit our fb page beyond the Runway as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.