EDITORIAL - A time to reflect and be thankful
IT seems that just a few short months ago we were celebrating Christmas 2016. But another year has passed and here we are today celebrating Christmas 2017.
As Canon Noel Burke reminded all Barbadians just days ago, Christmas is a time for reflection – about the season and why it is being celebrated; life in general; our country; the past year; and what the future holds.
Several Barbadians would have attended church services last night and many more will be doing so today, giving thanks to God for bringing us through another challenging year, and keeping our country afloat in the storm of uncertainty that surround us.
There also will be the other traditional means of observing this season: exchanging gifts, merriment in all of its forms; luncheons; greeting those loved ones who have come home to be with their relatives and associates at this time of the year; sharing with the less fortunate in our midst since there are many who, for one reason or another, do not have the resources available to most of us; and whatever approach is chosen to ensure there is a joyous season.
As we reflect, the past year has been another challenging one for the country as the government maintained its policy to stabilise the economy and keep the wheels of social services going. It has not been easy meeting those demands when it is considered that government’s resources to finance them have taken a beating. Part of this is related to the considerable slowdown in capital inflows from the island’s International Business and Financial Services sector.
However difficult this may appear, the last three days (Friday to yesterday) when shoppers thronged Bridgetown and other commercial centres suggest that people are prepared to
enjoy themselves by going about their normal business, while at the same time showing to all and sundry that it is not all doom and gloom.
Unfortunately, there are several alarmists in our midst preaching doom and gloom and forecasting a dire future for Barbados. It appears that somehow they are hoping that people will be coerced into remaining inactive by not getting out there to do things they want to.
Over the past year progress has been made in correcting some of the economic issues facing the country. It is not being suggested here that Barbados has come full circle on these matters. The country still has lots of work to do and the reasonable among us would attest to that.
However, right now people must be prepared to put their hands to the plough, work hard, and improve their productivity.
As was stated in a previous editorial, there is a sense of entitlement that calls for some form of amendment since the country is in no position financially to meet of the expectations as was the case previously. Whoever says otherwise is missing the boat.
This Christmas season let us therefore thank Almighty God for brining us through another year.
Merry Christmas everyone.