Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating World Earth Day!

Each year on April 22nd, we come together as a global community to celebrate World Earth Day—a reminder that our planet is not just where we live, but who we are. How did I spend my day? Well, today my class sessions were filled with activities celebrating World Earth Day! To me, World Earth Day is major and that’s because it’s more than oceans, forests, and skies—it’s the home that holds our dreams, our stories, and our future. As they say, small acts create great impacts!

This year’s Earth Day theme is a call to action: “Planet vs. Plastics”, urging us to reduce plastic pollution and protect the health of both the planet and its people. But beyond the campaigns and hashtags lies something deeply personal—our relationship with nature.

Why does Earth Day Matter? Earth Day isn’t just about planting trees or turning off lights (though those are great starts!). It’s about awareness. It’s about asking, What kind of world are we creating for the next generation? As a mom, I often think of my kids and the kind of Earth they will grow up in. The values we pass on—respect, kindness, gratitude—should also extend to the planet that sustains us.

What are some simple ways to Celebrate Earth Day? You don’t need grand gestures. Here are a few gentle, impactful ways to celebrate:

  • Start at home: Reduce single-use plastics. Reuse containers. Recycle what you can.
  • Go outside: Go for a nature walk. Pick up litter. Breathe deeply. Say thank you.
  • Teach the little ones: Talk about how plants grow, why bees matter, and how they can be heroes for the Earth.
  • Support eco-conscious brands: Your choices at the checkout counter matter more than you think.
  • Share what you learn: Use your voice online and offline. Positivity and knowledge are contagious.

Above all, give thanks! Let’s pause for a second—not to feel guilty about what we haven’t done, but to feel grateful for what we can still do. Earth has given us so much—beauty, food, shelter, inspiration. Let’s honor her not just today, but every day.

As we celebrate this Earth Day, let’s commit to small, consistent steps. Why? Every refillable bottle, every turned-off light, every tree planted—it all matters.

And when we work together, the Earth smiles back.

Happy Earth Day!
Let’s protect what we love.

Posted in Education, Learning Opportunity, Life, Love and Blessings, Trinidad and Tobago, You Tube

Celebrating Values in Education

As a mom who has been an educator for the past 20 years (yes, I began teaching at a very young age) and who has been enjoying the world of Communications and PR for the last 12 years, I’ve always believed that education is about more than just test scores and textbooks. My students and parents I have worked with over the years can attest to this!

It’s about shaping character, nurturing kindness, and teaching our children to be good people. That’s why I feel incredibly grateful that my 6-year-old is attending a school that doesn’t just focus on academics but also on values—honesty, respect, perseverance, and compassion.

This being said, today I am celebrating values in education! Yes, you’ve read it right! Why? It’s because I love celebrating positivity and highlighting it as best as I can.

As such, this post is about values in education and it all comes from looking at my daughter’s educational journey. I know it has only just begun but those who know me would fully understand why!  Like any other parent, I want the best for my kids and Longdenville Sathya Sai Primary School has been a pleasant surprise from day 1.

Photo Credit: SSEHV- ISSEA

So, what are these values about? For those who don’t know what values in education are about, they are peace, non-violence, love, truth and right-action. These translate to mean Shanti, Ahimsa, Prema, Sathya and Dharma respectively and they are the five pillars which form Sathya Sai Baba’s Education in Human Values program.

Every day, I see the impact of this approach, not just in homework assignments, but in the little things many would take for granted. These moments remind me that education is so much more than memorizing facts; it’s about shaping the kind of person my child will become.

Being able to see first-hand how the values come together is really a truly rewarding experience. How? Let me tell you!

Imagine a place where values are reflected in actions. Imagine studying it like any other subject but living it in every sense! That’s what it is about and it doesn’t deviate from it.

Education in Human Values (EHV) is timetabled! Every theme for every event incorporates it and parents are not left out. Why? How? Parents get to have a very hands on approach to their kids learning. Let’s call it, ‘accepting responsibility’ because essentially that’s what it is. I am really happy that I opted to share some of the cool assignments with the world over time (yes, I did) and I am happy to share them here with you!

Just click on these links and see for yourself! It’s ‘My Community’ using recyclable material, a Christmas hat, a decoration for the tree (where each student had something to add to the tree), a madhatter design using stuff at home and an “Anything but a bag project”.  Please, click on the links so you can see for yourself exactly why I am excited about each of these projects:

https://www.clickasnap.com/image/4823032/school-project-using-recyclable-material

https://www.clickasnap.com/image/4224397/christmas-hat

https://www.clickasnap.com/image/3999159/christmas-decoration

https://www.clickasnap.com/image/3999179/madhatter-design

https://www.clickasnap.com/image/4224395/anything-but-a-bag-project

This is just one part of it. Let me share some others:

  • I love that the school community is a close knit community.
  • I love the way the kids look out for each other.
  • There is no discrimination against religion or ethnicity.
  • Their school life embodies teamwork and from greeting each other in the morning to taking responsibility for their own actions, the kids are learning that respect isn’t just about being polite—it’s about valuing others and the community they are part of.
  • The kids are being taught yoga.
  • The kids are learning about healthy living and eating in a very real sense.

There are many other reasons why this school stands out and I promise there is another post to follow!

Posted in Celebrate Today, Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Life

Rising in the Face of Adversity: When the Smiles Are Fake and the Words Are Hollow

Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it. Sometimes it’s through quiet struggles—stress that no one sees, battles we fight in silence, or moments when everything feels just a little too heavy to carry alone. And in those times, what makes it harder is not just the adversity itself—but the smiles that don’t reach the eyes and the words that lack sincerity.

We live in a world that often tells us to “stay strong” without truly understanding what we’re going through. Some say, “I’m here for you,” but disappear when you need them the most. Some compliment us but secretly compete. They smile at us, but whisper behind our backs. And while it’s easy to become jaded, bitter, or withdrawn—there is something powerful about choosing to rise anyway.

Strength Isn’t Always Loud

True strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s just getting out of bed in the morning. Showing up to work or parenting when your heart is heavy. Smiling back—even when you know the smile isn’t real—because you refuse to let the world change your softness.

Rising in the face of adversity means choosing authenticity in a sea of pretense. It means being kind even when kindness is not returned. It means forgiving—not because they deserve it—but because you deserve peace.

Fake Smiles Don’t Define You

You’ll meet people who pretend to care. Who say one thing and do another. Who clap when you win but secretly hope you lose. But their smiles don’t define your worth, and their words don’t reflect your truth.

Let their insincerity be a reminder of what you never want to become. Let it fuel your growth, not your grudges. Because rising doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine—it means facing what’s not, and growing anyway.

Your Truth is Your Power

You don’t need everyone to understand your journey. You just need to stay true to your path. Real light doesn’t need validation to shine. Keep doing your best. Keep showing up with heart. Keep speaking truth, even if your voice trembles.

And if you’re walking through pain right now—take heart. You are not weak. You are rising. Even when no one claps. Even when the spotlight is on someone else. Even when it’s quiet.

Keep Rising

Adversity will come. So will fake friends, shallow conversations, and fleeting applause. But so will your strength. So will grace. So will clarity. And the more you rise, the more you’ll recognize who’s truly with you—and who only showed up for the highlight reel.

Keep rising. Not because it’s easy. But because you were never meant to stay low.