4FGC-Forerunner For Freedom Fighters & Game Changers- isbringing some spice and excitement to the island of Grenada. Through Youngtrepeneurs, this project led by Forerunner For Freedom Fighters & Game Changers founder Mr Marinus Coutainwill happen with pure fragrances gracing the spice isle of pure Grenada.
What this would mean is that if you are looking for an opportunity, whether you are looking to change your career or looking for a way you can earn online, part time or full time this may just be what you’re looking for. More so it is what many would describe as an opportunity of a lifetime and rightfully so!
Designed specifically for the ambitious, passionate and those driven to succeed then this might just be the opportunity individuals meeting these criterion will need to get them going in the right direction.
To get a better understanding of what Project 3000 entails and what those who decide to become a part of it can look forward to, the video below will provide the ideal introduction to what lies ahead.
Backed by a team of driven individuals who are willing to support, train and educate participants on all the necessary steps to help them succeed Project 3000 is providing all participants with an opportunity to get the necessary assistance they need to achieve their goals and dreams. As Mr Coutain reiterates, “We are big on team work because ‘team work makes the dream work.’
Project 3000 is being launched in Grenada in an effort to expand throughout the Caribbean and it is being kicked off with a bang. Scheduled to run from April 1st to June 29th, 2019 the activities of 4FGC will take the form of a 90 day drive to get 3000 members to join its team in Grenada.
All those who are interested in being a part of Project 3000 as well as those who are in need of further information are kindly asked to contact Mr Marinus Coutain on 14734254085.
In closing I ask, ‘Why wait when you have no reason to?’ If you are in Grenada and you are ambitious, passionate and have a burning desire to succeed contact Mr Marinus Coutain today. Call 14734254085!
As we bid farewell to 2018 and welcome 2019 here is to wishing you a Bright, Blessed and Happy New Year! Here is to hoping that we can celebrate 2019 together and take it one experience at a time and one opportunity at a time!
Those who know me and who follow my work and my writing would know that this year has been a year of interesting sorts! It has been a combination of happiness, sadness, growth, learning, acceptance and an abundance of blessings. Clearly this has not been the reality for me alone but it is also the reality for many the world over. As we move forward let’s continue to take it one day at a time and remember that every time you feel down there is always something positive here to help you through a tough day.
For 2019 I urge you to do the following:
·Take the good with the bad
·Find a positive to every negative
·Always be true to yourself
·Be the best that you can be at all times
·Live life without regrets
·Value every moment
·Count your blessings and be thankful for all that you have
·Never waste an opportunity
I urge you once again to please download SGSPosts for positive and uplifting messages if you have not already done this. It is an app which delivers messages by His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji that are based on ‘peace, love, brotherhood and universal co-existence’ across the world.
Happy New Year 2019! Here is to 365 days of meaningful living, growth and positivity! From my entire family to you and your family best wishes for a blessed year ahead!
“A boomerang returns back to the person who throws it.” -Vera Nazarian
“Some day people will ask me what is the key to my success…and I will simply say, “Good Karma.”- K. Crumley
This post is dedicated to Celebrating Karma! Many may think it is quite a strange post but honestly to me it is not and as you read on you will understand exactly why this is so!
With regards to the question, why did I choose to celebrate karma this is why- if you know you are living a good life then you have nothing to worry about. More so, if you know that you live according to the line, “Treat others as you would like to be treated”, then surely you have nothing to worry about. This is the way I have always lived and it has always shaped my life. I am eternally grateful to my parents (my Mom, Mrs. Doris Thomas and my Dad, the late Mr. Ramchit Ramesh Thomas) for bringing me up the way they did and for the guidance they provided. Also I am eternally grateful for the guidance of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda who we affectionately refer to as our Appaji who on a daily basis reminds us we are on the right track when we “Do Good” and “Be Good”.
Karma can be either good or bad. This is because good actions and thoughts merit good results and vice versa for bad karma. Nothing good can come from doing bad.
I am not one to live with my head in the clouds and I do not intend to start now. The numerous problems plaguing our country is highly disturbing (people losing jobs over the last couple years, the events of the last week with the closure of the oil refinery, medical centres and administrative offices which displaced so many more, cost of living being what it is, people losing everything due to flooding throughout the country, news of more and more people missing on a daily basis) and this reminds us urgently that we must keep praying and keep our faith.
So then why hurt others?
Why be selfish?
Why be unfair to others?
Why try to take what is not yours?
Why take advantage of others?
Why disregard others?
Why take joy in the pain of others?
Why place people in unfair situations to get something?
Why be greedy?
Why do you choose not to be straight with others?
There is no point in any of these negative acts!
Instead we should aim to do the following:
1. Help others
2. Be kind
3. Look out for each other
4. Take an active role in making positive change rather than be a passive bystander
5. Do what we can to protect each other
6. Be fair in our thinking and in our actions
7. Treat others in the same manner that we would like to be treated
8. Do your best at all times
9. Make a concerted effort not to hurt others
10. Think before we act
11. Practice active listening
12. Be the change that we want to see in others
13. Focus on our goals
14. Realize that when something feels wrong it usually is
15. Understand that doing good comes from being good
16. Accept that staying away from toxic people is advised as it helps to remove the cloud of negativity that can damage you
17. Never lose hope and accept that God does not leave you alone
18. Trust yourself
19. Be your best friend rather than your worst enemy
20. Remember that life’s journey does not come without challenges
In this post I am not professing to have the solution but it is my sincere hope that the information shared here will be of help to someone.
Depression is a reality many face. It is also a reality many suffer silently from. It is not something to laugh at or frown upon but it is real and it is something that should encourage us to help especially if we really care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) around the world over 300 million people suffer from depression. To some it may be a harsh reality but it is a stark truth many face and need help with overcoming. It affects the quality of life, the ability to function and the ability to be the best one can be.
Depression can be the result of many causes. Key among them are traumatic experiences and a feeling of loneliness. The question that arises is, how do we help someone who is depressed?
Be there for that person
Remind him or her that there is a lot to live for. Give them practical examples (e.g. family, things to try that they always wanted to do)
Encourage that person to eat, eat on time, eat balanced meals and do their best to be physically active
Make that person laugh
Keep lines of communication open and do your best to always be there for them
Be patient
Listen and don’t be dismissive
Encourage them to go out and be in the company of those they love (e.g. mall, lunch/dinner, movies, shopping, grab a snack, watch a sunset or go to the beach)
Encourage them to listen to music
I am urging you to do this and make a conscious effort to help someone who is depressed because they deserve the help they need. It is heartbreaking to see those you love and care about hurting but what is even more heartbreaking is being helpless. Caring is a ticket to empowering yourself and empowering someone who is depressed.
Make every minute count!
Make every smile help that person walk the extra mile!
Help that person survive! Let that person remember they are alive and deserve the best quality of life possible!
Maybe my post may be considered late but I prefer to think of it as timely. As you read I am certain you will understand why!
In July here in Trinidad we were blessed to be in the presence of pure Divinity as we were blessed with the physical presence of our Sadguru, His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. It was filled with priceless memories, an abundance of blessings and valuable opportunities to do Seva and also be in the Divine Presence of our dear Appaji!
This visit of His Holiness and His Parivaar was a 13 day visit filled with Divine Darshan and pertinent messages that came via His words, His discourses, the Pujas He performed, His Bhajans, His Ragas, His smile, His Countenance, His disposition, His compassion and His actions.
Our Sadguru gave valuable gentle reminders and blessed us immensely in so many ways. In addition to a historic Guru Purnima celebration to remember, we have to also treasure the Datta Ganga Raga Sagara Meditation & Healing Concert that was held at SAPA on July 20th. We were also blessed to share Appaji’s visit with Datta devotees from around the world who visited Trinidad during this time. In every sense every single moment spent in Appaji’s Divine Presence was one to treasure and to value for all of eternity.
On the occasion of Guru Purnima Appaji announced that in 2020 a Maha Rudra Yaga will be held here in Trinidad and asked devotees in Trinidad and throughout the world to chant ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’ in the spiritual lead up for this event.
Have you begun your chanting yet? If not, hopefully you do soon and please remember to check your count and submit it!
One memorable occasion that I just believe I must share was the morning in the hall of the Ashram when Uncle Sheetal reminded everyone of the need to begin chanting ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’. As Uncle Sheetal began the chanting everyone joined in and with the chorus of voices chanting in unison, the energy was powerful and it was building. Everyone was awaiting the presence of our dear Appaji and the chanting felt in every sense like a call to our Beloved Master to bless us with His Divine Presence.
On the day prior to Guru Purnima our dear Appaji gave Mantra Upadesha to over 600 devotees. This is another example of the abundance of blessings we received. If you were one to receive Mantra Upadesha hopefully you have started chanting your Mantra and the instructions from Yoga Sangeeta will help you with submitting the records of your chants for both.
The Surya Deva Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing Concert which will take place in Mexico City on November 17 is being jointly organized and coordinated by longstanding devotees of Pujya Sri Swamiji Yogini Kaliji. They are Mr Hector Ruiz and his family, Mr. Venkat Raman and Yogini Kaliji. The last day of Appaji’s visit to Trinidad marked the official launch of the website https://www.sgsmexico2018.com/ which is the main source of information for this site. You will be delighted to find out that a visit to this site would provide everything you need to find out about this concert, accommodation and other treats to look forward to! Two things to look forward to are:
1.Being in the presence of the Divine Master
2.Being a part of a historic occasion as this is the first concert of its kind to be held in Mexico
Please be reminded of all of these ways through which you can serve Sadguru. Here are the ways that were listed for the Guru Purnima post:
·Practise Sadhana
·Understand who you are
·Accept that we are one family
·Keep your focus and serve
·Embrace Appaji’s Daily Messages
·Download Free Apps like SGS Posts, Path, Nadi Shuddi Yoga, Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana, Bhakti Mala English and Livestream and invest in Apps for Purchase like Bhajan Mala, SGS Bhagavad Gita, Divine Darshan, Kavacha Manjari and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Google Playstore for Android Devices and Apple Store for iOS devices
·Develop Your Spirituality
·Ensure that you utilize the services of the bookstores in the Ashrams by purchasing Appaji’s books and cds. Read Appaji’s books, absorb the information in them and put them to daily use. As Appaji says, “Be good, Do Good”. Listen to the music on the cds, learn the bhajans, sing them and glorify the name of God. If purchasing books in print or purchasing cds online is more convenient for you please avail yourself of the opportunity to obtain them and utilize them
·Use food, music and positive lifestyle changes to uplift yourself
·Learn Bhagavad Gita and Guru Gita
Appaji Thank You for all that You have done for us and for all that You continue to do!
In closing I urge you to continue listening to Appaji’s messages. Heed them, “Be Good, Do Good”, keep chanting and continue doing your Seva. Do enjoy these videos of Appaji singing bhajans that have been posted by Hanuman Hoffman!
The focus of my thesis for my BA Mass Communication at the Ken Gordon School of Journalism and Public Relations (KGSOJACS) at COSTAATT (College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago) was ‘The Accessibility of the Internet for persons living with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago.’
This is a topic I opted to examine because it is a topic I am very passionate about. More so it is a topic that touched my heart then and a topic which continues to do so today.
I have been creating several means of helping persons with disabilities and I have faced several challenges along the way. Having seeing a recent post on Facebook stating, “Being differently abled and young is very challenging,” and this was later followed by a post stating, “We want to feel accepted like everyone else!”
My response to this is as follows:
Having met with several persons living with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago I know a vast majority of them who face several challenges day in and day out. They do not deserve be unfairly treated or like they are unequal in any way. My modus operandi is to treat others as you would like to be treated and I believe that change comes from a conscious decision to want to change.
Of the people I worked with to get the findings of my thesis I found a group of highly educated and qualified persons living with disabilities. They didn’t have the best start or the easy life but they all have one thing in common: They refuse to give up!
To those who have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit I salute them for making that commitment.
The questions which we need to ask is how can each one of us help someone living with a disability? How can we make information more accessible to them? How can we do our part to enrich their quality of life? Here are 4 pointers:
Leave ALL Handicapped Parking Spots for persons who are Handicapped. They are called Handicapped Parking Spots for a reason.
Elevators should be available in all buildings that have 2 floors or more. Imagine my horror on hearing that one of the guys who helped me with the findings of my thesis telling me of the unfortunate experience he endured for a job interview. He went for a job interview in a building that no elevators and his interview was being held on the 4th floor. Can you imagine what he went through? To help you understand it better I will shed some light on his dilemma. He lives with Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease (CMT), he has a lot of difficulty with his mobility and with the use of his hands but uses assistive technology to get by while he can as his condition has been deteriorating. Can you imagine the difficulty he faced in getting up the stairs? Can you imagine the embarrassment he faced on another occasion when he fell and people laughed at him? Surely we can all agree that none of this is right! For more information on CMT please visit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172056.php
Refrain from giving directions to someone who cannot see if you are unsure about the directions. It is really unfortunate that some people do this and create bigger problems as they person who cannot see may get lost and a predicament like can also result in placing that person in danger. The reality is that I have heard of too many incidents like this happening. Thankfully, many are relying on WAZE and Google Maps and both apps are proving to be quite helpful.
Use Word Documents as far as possible to post online memes, menus, flyers and advertisements or any document with text for that matter. Or just type them out if you choose not to provide them in word. Photographs cannot be read by any of the assistive technologies and the information provided within them cannot be communicated to someone who is visually impaired unless you are there to read it out to them. A popular screen reader most of them use is JAWS (Job Access with Speech) and these are some ways you can make photographs more accessible to them as visually impaired persons will not be able to understand what they contain:
Upload text as Word Documents
Provide captions which describe what the picture contains or what it is about
In closing I hope that this information is of help and put to good use! Let us continue to be good and let us continue to do good! A little goes a long way; it costs us nothing to be human! Change begins with a decision to change and making the effort to do so!
As mentioned above this is my first post regarding this topic and I look forward to sharing more information with you soon on how we can be of help to persons with disabilities.
On May 26, 2018 thousands around the world gathered at various Datta Centres to celebrate the 76th Birthday of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
At Mysuru Ashram it was a week of activities and various ceremonies that were broadcasted to audiences the world over by Yoga Sangeeta, filled with priceless memories that we could all treasure. On May 26th His Holiness received His 9th Guinness World Record. This was for the unveiling of the world’s largest stamp (57.9 inches * 77 inches) which depicted the Vishwam Museum of Avadhoota Datta Peetham.
Photo Credit: Avadhoota Datta Peetham
Here in Trinidad there were birthday celebrations for Appaji at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima, the Sri Sachchidananda Yoga Ashram in Penal and the Pranavananda Ashram located at Temple Street, Beaucarro Village, Carapichaima.
Having a Sadguru like Appaji is a true blessing. As I have said time and time again Appaji has done so much for us and He continues to do so day after day! I mean, can we really measure the number of blessings He has showered on us?
It is in every sense an infinite number of blessings that show His love for us all and His love for all humanity.
Appaji has given us:
1.Datta Centres and Ashrams around the world
2.Healing music and Kriya Yoga. He is Nada Brahma.
3.SGS Posts and on a daily basis He has urged us to, “Be Good, Do Good.”
4.So many apps we could download to our mobile phones and uplift ourselves spiritually
5.Countless opportunities to do Seva
He has:
6.Embraced us all and He sees no class, no colour, no creed and no race
7.Lived the life that He talks about through His messages. He is the epitome of Goodness, Purity, Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. Not once does He tell us to do something that He will not do.
8.Blessed us infinitely with messages. Appaji’s messages are always there for us and they are always ours for the taking!
9.Committed Himself to so many causes around the world.
10.Composed so many bhajans and He has shared them with us in so many ways
11.Shared so many discourses with us and travelled to Centres and Ashrams around the world to take care of us!
Appaji gives so much to us and this is what we need to do:
1.Receive His messages
2.Put His messages into practice
3.Adopt them as a way of life
4.Be Good and Do Good
Now is this too much? No it certainly is not!
On the occasion of Appaji’s 76th Birthday I take this opportunity to celebrate our Sadguru by way of sharing these bhajans that have been composed by His Holiness with you.
Appaji thank you for all that You have done for us! We are forever grateful for the abundance of blessings You shower on us and continue to shower on us day after day! Please know that all Datta devotees in Trinidad are eagerly awaiting Your presence and to having You here for Guru Purnima!
Today is a day that Christians the world over have been eagerly waiting for! As Pope Francis addressed the tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square he appealed to Mass for world peace. With this call comes a need for an end to war and conflict together with a renewal for hope, faith as well as helping each other and looking out for one another. More so it means a call for the end of injustice and a plea for humanity to be humane.
The Easter story is that has been shared from generation to another and its message continues to hold relevance in our lives day in and day out. Ideally it means listening, heeding and essentially practicing.
Bringing Easter a little closer to home here are some links that will add to the diversity and lend to the richness of our culture.
Have a look at these links which I have included below. The first is a LoopTT article and the second and third are both from the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian’s journalist Charles Kong Soo.
Lord Hanuman means so much to so many and this is evident not just here in Trinidad but also in the way many the world over regard Him and give praises to Him. For starters He teaches us strength and patience, He teaches us about courage and humility and He offers us protection but He does so much more! The list can go on and on and will never stray from the essence that Lord Hanuman is our Blessing and He holds special significance for the thousands and more so the millions that pray to Him.
Here in Trinidad we have the 85 ft Hanuman Murti which was consecrated in 2003 but this is not just any Hanuman Murti. In addition to being the tallest Hanuman Murti in the Western World, this is a Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti. In looking at the history of this Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti I found this video that I am sure can provide meaningful insight to many devotees. It will in many respects help in shedding light on what the Newsday journalist was referring to. On this note I invite you to please have a look at it:
Moving on we can agree that indeed it is a divine blessing to hear the name of Lord Hanuman being glorified and indeed a blessing to be able to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. Today thousands visited the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti at the Dattatreya Yoga Center in Carapichaima. The chanting of Hanuman Chalisa was scheduled to begin at 6am this morning and it concluded after 7pm this evening. It was followed by Abhishekam, Puja and Homa.
Rightfully so there is a lot that we can learn from Lord Hanuman and a simple means of accepting these lessons comes from understanding what the Hanuman Chalisa is telling us. While the visit to the site http://aumamen.com/stotra/hanuman-chalisa can provide some ready assistance with this the link to Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana below will also provide you with peace, comfort and an abundance of postive energy.
Many present at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Center today can attest to the fact that hundreds were able to offer their prayers to Lord Hanuman, sing Chalisa, perform Abhishekam, participate in Puja and Homa and also perform Aarti at the feet of Lord Hanuman. Today’s Hanuman Jayanti celebrations came after 5 nights of Ramayan Discourses delivered during the past week. The week’s sessions began with Pundit Abhedanand Persad Sharma on Monday and continued with Pundit Hardeo Persad on Tuesday, Pundit Jewan Maharaj on Wednesday, Swami Prakashananda on Thursday. It concluded with Pundit Bimal Maharaj on Friday.
In compiling this post finding bhajans being sung by His Holiness seemed most appropriate as His voice and His presence do more than words can ever fully express. Thankfully this morning I was able to hear and see His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Livestream (Click on Yoga Sangeeta) and this evening we were able to be at the feet of Lord Hanuman.
I love all of Appaji’s bhajans and this is one of the first I heard. It is followed by some other bhajans that are filled with meaning and positive energy. Here is my invitation to you to enjoy each of the Bhajans below and immerse yourself in Appaji’s offering!
As Hanuman Jayanti 2018 draws to an end continue putting into practice the many lessons Lord Hanuman has shared with us. As Appaji reminds us daily, “Be Good, Do Good”.
Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ki Jai!
Today Sunday 25th March 2018 we joined with Hindus the world over in celebrating Sri Ram Navami! We were immensely blessed to be showered with the blessings and grace of His Holiness whose messages reach his followers in real time as He delivers His messages and reminds us of the abundance of love He has for us.
On this Holy occasion Shiva and I were as fortunate as we always are to be at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima which is home to the largest Lord Hanuman Murti in the Western Hemisphere- the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Mantra.
Here is some info for those who may not know Lord Rama’s story:
Here too is a beautiful rendition from Sooryagayathri whose soulful singing continues to capture many hearts.
Always happy to find past messages from His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidanda Swamiji, I was delighted to find these YouTube videos shared by Hanuman Hoffman who is a very dear Datta devotee and he is also one who is loved by us all. Appaji’s presence and His guidance, grace and teachings are invaluable, priceless and nothing short of an abundance of innumerable blessings. Please have a look at this video:
The first video as you would realise is a mantra to Lord Rama that is delivered to us by His Holiness and the second is an important sloka, it is the first sloka from the Sundara Kanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana and it is a Maha Mantra.
From us to you, Happy Ram Navami! Keep chanting, keep praying, keep doing selfless service! Let Lord Rama’s story and His messages inspire you and remind you of how fortunate we are!
As His Holiness says to us, “Be good, Do good!” (SGSPosts- Download it today if you haven’t! Also please share it with others!)
Celebrating Existence 