July 20, 2005

What hard work and focus can do

Went to a section of Portmore today. That's the community you drive through when you're going to Hellshire beach to eat Fish and Festival and Oysters. Many years ago there were no houses. Today it is very populated and even has its own mayor.

Anyway, I went to my dressmaker. Getting some work type clothes made because since 2001 I haven't had any. That's because I haven't had a job-job since then. I free lance so the odd suit here and there has been sufficient. But later in the year I am going to need other stuff.

Sorry. Went off on a tangent.

The point is that we have watched the dress maker work hard and persevere in order to accomplish things. I first remember her when I was at primary school. She lived in a wooden dinky building on Duke Street (where our Parliament is). She had three kids and her husband was nowhere around.

When Waterford, the scheme in Portmore where she lives, was coming on stream, she managed to get one of those. I believe she did some additions on the house gradually. It's in the quieter section of the scheme, so no rabble rousers have joined her. This has been I would imagine about 20 years or so since she has been there. She has kept her clientele for years. Nobody who lives in Kingston/St Andrew minds driving all that way. My mother makes regular trips to her. So she has sewn for my mother for I would think 30 years or so.

But given her circumstances, she could have taken a completely different path. Instead, and with the help of her values and principles to guide her, she worked hard and focused on what she wanted to achieve and she has managed to raise children (older than me) who have all gone on to do well.

It's the family structure that makes the difference how children turn out. We've lost that. And we now have kids growing up whose parent instills in them that they must wait for handouts and remittances, instead of working hard to achieve some thing.

Posted by yamfoot at July 20, 2005 11:49 PM
Comments

Good for her. But contrary to what you say. I think it's more the me now culture of today that is pushing children, with MTV, BET,VH1 and the likes children don't want hard work and perservance, they want it and want it now.

I have a teenage son, and it's an up hill battle with him, to convince him that life and the success of life isn't about the bling, bling and mega riches. But it's hard to convince them and instill such responsibility in them when they turn on the tube and see it right there in their faces, or watch some young kid out of h.S sign a S20 million basketball or football contract.

Posted by: Campfyah at July 21, 2005 11:24 AM

It's a combination of both what you and Camp said. parents push off the responsibility of good parenting to the school, broken homes abound, and the kids themselves want everything now. wanting everything now not bad in itself what worries me is the "at all cost part".

Posted by: scratchie at July 21, 2005 11:43 AM

I think its that no one beleives in working your way up the ladder anymore and paying your dues. Its a fast food, get rich fast society. They want wealth and they want it now. They would prefer to take handouts than start at the bottom and work for minimum wage.

Posted by: jdid at July 21, 2005 04:20 PM

Hi Yammie, agree with all that is said here. Yes, kids today really have no values and respect. Our culture now teaches us to take, take, take and never consider the virtues of giving back. Do you think we can ever change?

Posted by: angrydog at July 22, 2005 11:09 AM

Agree with all above and you too Yammie.

Lots of these teens and early twenties types who find themsleves with no real skill will soon learn the harsh reality of life...is very few who will be able to take and get all dem want NOW with little or no blood, sweat and tears. Plenty o dem will find demselves inna problems wid de law.

Posted by: Dr. D. at July 22, 2005 08:17 PM