Police tracked down a stolen safari truck Monday morning, six days after the brightly painted vehicle roamed away from its rightful owner. (Photo courtesy VIPD)
Police tracked down the huge red-and-orange safari truck Monday morning that had been missing for nearly a week.
The brightly painted 22-seat vehicle was stolen in the early morning hours of May 13 near the Sugar Estate post office on Alton Adams Sr. Drive, St. Thomas, according to a Virgin Islands Police Department spokesperson.
The theft was seemingly more than a joyride, police said. The enormous open-sided truck was allegedly used in another crime in the Subbase area, according to a community alert post issued by VIPD. Police did not elaborate on the nature of the crime, nor where the safari was eventually found. No arrests had been made as of Monday evening.
A rendering of the new two-story office building that the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union is proposing to build on a two-acre parcel just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station on St. Thomas. (Image courtesy St. Thomas Federal Credit Union)
If all goes to plan, the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union will be breaking ground on a new two-story, 10,000-square-foot operations center on a two-acre parcel of land just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station, according to a zoning hearing Monday for the proposed development.
The credit union, which was chartered in 1952 and has served the community for 73 years, is currently located in the historic district at 5027 Norre Gade — the Allen A. Canton Building — which has restricted the company’s ability to expand, CEO Keisha Richards told members of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning.
Monday’s hearing was held to request a zoning change from R-3 (residential-medium density) to B-1 (business-central business district) at the new site, Parcel No. 100-1C Estate Taarneberg, Kings Quarter, St. Thomas. The two-acre lot, located beside the fire station and across the street from Barbel Plaza, was the former site of the Warren E. Brown housing community that was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. All that remains on the property are two cisterns and a utility shed, said Richards. Previous studies have found no cultural or historical resources, endangered plants and animals, or flood issues, she said.
The move “has been in the pipeline for quite some time” Richards said, and required approval by the National Credit Union Administration, the body responsible for regulating federal credit unions, insuring deposits, and protecting members of credit unions.
The new location will allow the credit union to offer new products and services that its current space cannot, as well as ample parking, drive-through options and ATMs along with walk-in services, said Richards. A smaller one-story building that will be built atop one of the existing cisterns will serve as a conference center and training space, she said.
This two-acre parcel of land just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station on William G. Lewis Lane is the proposed new home of the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union. (Image courtesy St. Thomas Federal Credit Union)
Additionally, a new, larger building will bring more jobs, said Richards. The credit union currently employs 23 people but would hope to add anywhere from 12 to 27 more, she said.
Because St. Thomas Federal Credit Union is a nonprofit the buildings are required to be used solely for its business, said Richards. If approved, the project will advance in two phases, the first being the main building, which will take about 24 months from shovels in the ground to completion. The conference center will follow, with a time frame of about 18 months, she said. The company’s current building will be put up for sale once it’s no longer needed.
“We did have some challenges and hurdles to get to this benchmark point,” Richards said in closing. “Not only have we had to go through the regulatory process with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, but we also had to go through a regulatory process with our examiners, which is the National Credit Union Administration, to be able to get to this point. … This project went through a lot of enhanced due diligence on several levels, and I just want to be able to say thank you — thank you to the community for supporting us for the last 73 years and giving us the opportunity to offer the products and services that we can and also for supporting us through this journey of this new operational facility. Thank you to all the parties involved, and we look forward to a favorable response.”
Following Monday’s hearing, the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning will prepare a recommendation report within 30 days that will go to the Legislature. Senators will then meet in the Committee of the Whole for a public hearing on the project, after which they will meet in session to vote on the proposal.
Public comments on the project will be accepted until Sunday, May 25, via email to Territorial Planner Leia LaPlace at leia.laplace@dpnr.vi.gov.
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Eugenie A. England, who passed on May 5, 2025.
Eugenie A. England
She is survived by her CHILDREN: Michael Richards, Milton E. England Jr. Clyde B. Milliner, Dale Donovan; DAUGHTER: Dora N. Reyes, Maureen Jackson; SISTER: Louise Beckett; GRANDCHILDREN: Milton E. England Jr, Doris E. England, Onyxx M. Jenkins. Janalia Diaz, Janella Gonzalez, Akil, Akeem & Akoy Farrell, Jermaine, Nisha, Kahreem, Laquan England, Jamel Lawrence, Jermaine & Daute Richards, Tresylain Mayers, Jevon Gerald, Lucien England Jr; GODCHILDREN: Sylvia Thomas, Celeste & Shanise Potter, Rea Rhymer; NIECES and NEPHEWS: Linda Brown, Patricia Griffith, Judith Griffith, Princess Griffith, Faye Brown, Harold Beckett, Lorraine Thomas, Mervin Beckett, Nicole Smith, Corise Krigger, Herlene Steele, Yvonne Phillips, Eva W. Lewis, Evis Lake, Janelle Gumbs, Casandra Roumo, Erena Sasso, Kim Troy, Virgil, Harold, Aubrey, Bruce,& Ricky Roumo, Elmo, Duane, Julien Daryle Adams, Desiree Smith-Martin, Derrick Greaves Sr., Darryl Smith, Stephanie Best, Steve Sylvester Sr., Dwayne Farrington, Evan Lake.
SPECIAL LOVE ONES & CARE GIVERS: Valerie Jenkins, Dumyl Henley.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the first viewing on Wednesday, June 4, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 5, at Holy Family church; viewing will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Western cemetery #1
We regret to announce the death of Anton Victor Leonard of Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI, who passed away on Monday, 5 May, 2025 at the age of 87.
Anton Victor Leonard
He is survived by: Brother Malcolm Leonard Sister Christine Smith Brother-in-Law Leando Smith Sisters-in-Law Joyce Leonard Olive Leonard Nephews Atlee, Vernly, Benly, Perry, Paul, and Pete Smith. Luton, and Linton Leonard. Euton “Ton”, Vittington “Witty”, Elton “Eltie”, and Benton Callwood. LLewellyn, Derwin, Kevin, Devin, and Irwin Leonard. Nieces Ulalie Smith, Brendalee Smith-Jones, Yvette Jennings, Linda Leonard, Lorna Willock, Leonise Leonard, Levette Walters, Toyer Fahie, Doraline “DeeDee” Callwood, Marline Callwood-Smith, Carline Prentice, Dr. Arlene Callwood, and Dr. Scharmen Donovan. … and many Great-nieces, Great-nephews, other family members and friends, too numerous to mention.
The Funeral Service for the late Anton Victor Leonard will be held on Sunday, 25 May at the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Youth Centre in Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI. The viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the service begins at 11 a.m. The interment will take place at the Dawson-Donovan Burial Ground in Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Turnbull Funeral Home and Crematory Services (St. Thomas, USVI) and Majestic Life Funeral Home and Crematory Services (Tortola, BVI)
81C is honored to announce a second consecutive year of summer art programs by 81C Arts taking place at 81C Studio located in the Camille Pissarro House. Summer art programs for 2025 are zero-cost and 100% scholarship-based thanks to working relationships with valued community partners supporting art and education in the Virgin Islands.
(Submitted photo)
Expression Through The Arts by instructor Dyonna Potter will take place June 23 – July 17, followed by Artistry Unleashed by instructor Shem Matthew, July 21 – August 14.
About Expression Through The Arts:
JUNE 23 – JULY 17 / AGES 8-16
Expression through The Arts is a transformative four-week summer program that provides a safe, supportive environment for students to explore and develop their creative potential. This program empowers participants to express themselves through visual art, creative writing, improv games, and other artistic activities, fostering not only artistic growth but also crucial social-emotional skills. By engaging in creative exploration, students learn to communicate their thoughts and emotions in meaningful ways, which can have lasting positive effects on their self-confidence and resilience.
Each week, students work on unique projects that allow them to discover their individual artistic voice, leading to a deep sense of accomplishment and personal growth. These experiences not only enhance their creative skills but also prepare them for future opportunities, encouraging them to think critically, collaborate with others, and approach challenges with an open mind. The program emphasizes the value of creative expression as a tool for problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and building connections—skills that are invaluable in both academic and real-world settings.
(Submitted photo)
At the end of the program, students’ artwork will be showcased in an end-of-summer exhibit, offering a meaningful opportunity for students, families, and teachers to celebrate the creativity and growth achieved. This exhibition is more than just a display of art; it’s a chance for the entire community to come together, share in the joy of the students’ creative journey, and see firsthand how nurturing artistic expression can make a positive impact on individuals and the broader community. Through this program, students not only grow as artists but also contribute to a more compassionate, creative, and connected community.
About Artistry Unleashed:
JULY 21 – AUGUST 14 / AGES 10-17
Artistry Unleashed is a dynamic four-week summer art camp designed for students aged 10–17. Limited to 12 participants, the program provides an immersive experience that blends hands-on projects, creative exploration, and collaborative learning.
Students will explore mixed media, illustration, and stage design, developing their artistic skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Each day the program runs from 8:00 AM to 3PM, featuring a balance of structured lessons, independent work, and collaborative group projects.
By the end of the camp, students will have completed a portfolio of unique creations, gained practical knowledge of artistic techniques, and developed design and storytelling skills
Admissions and Applications:
Students are welcome to apply for both programs and can find applications online at 81CVI.ORG.
Questions about admissions can be directed to 340-203-4030.
Applications will be accepted through June 13.
Statements:
“Artistry Unleashed is a hands-on summer art camp led by a veteran educator and artist with over eight years of experience teaching in the USVI. Our goal is to nurture young minds through diverse creative outlets—whether visual, musical, tactile, spoken, or written—to help them grow as confident, imaginative thinkers.” -Shem Matthew, Program Director, 81C Arts
“I don’t know where I’d be without creative outlets growing up, which is why this program means so much to me. After the success of our first year, I’m more motivated than ever to expand my program’s impact. This summer, every student slot is fully funded, allowing us to welcome a diverse group of young artists who can learn from one another and grow together. I can’t wait to see what they create!” -Dyonna Potter, Program Director and board member, 81C Arts
“IPB & ICMC are proud to support Expression Through the Arts for a second year, and the launch of Artistry Unleashed. One of our company values is empowerment and these summer art programs do just that – empower young people to explore their creative interests, nurture an outlet for expression, and develop skills for the future.” -Allison Flanders, IPB & ICMC
“As we commemorate our second year, the momentum of our initiative continues to strengthen. Thanks to our ongoing collaborations with valued community partners, We are pleased to announce that our summer programming is fully supported, enabling us to offer scholarship opportunities to every participant. This accolade is instrumental as we celebrate the diverse voices within our creative community.” -Joseph Hewes, Board President, 81C Arts
“Programs like Expression Through the Arts and Artistry Unleashed—brought to life by dedicated educators Ms. Potter and Mr. Matthew through 81C Arts—hold the potential to profoundly shape the artistic future of St. Thomas. Recognizing how essential arts access is for young people, we deeply appreciate IPB & ICMC and our community partners for identifying this need and supporting our transition toward fully scholarship-based admission models. Easing the financial burden on families has remained a core priority in making these programs truly accessible.” – Zack Zook, Executive Director, 81C Arts
More info:
Dyonna Potter
Art Educator
Dyonna Chandelle Potter is an enthusiastic art educator and a proud member of 81C’s Art and Education Advisory Board. A native of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, she began her artistic journey at The School of Visual Arts & Careers and participated in multiple productions at Pistarckle Theatre. Dyonna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art & Design and certifications in Graphic Design from Pace University and Shillington School of Graphic Design.
After working as a Technical Designer for major fashion houses in NYC, she returned to St. Thomas in 2020, where she discovered her passion for art education. In 2024, she launched the “Expression Through the Arts” program with 81C, which has since expanded year-round. Dyonna currently serves as the elementary art teacher at Antilles School.
With a deep passion for art and design, Dyonna is dedicated to helping students bring their ideas to life and aims to inspire creative self-expression in the youth of the Virgin Islands while continuing her own artistic growth.
Shem Matthew
Art Educator | Curriculum Developer
Shem Matthew is a passionate and experienced art educator with over nine years of teaching experience. He began his career teaching middle school art and is currently in his second year of teaching high school art at the Virgin Islands Department of Education.
Shem is also an Art Education Advisor for the 81C Art Gallery Foundation, contributing to creative opportunities within the community.
About 81C Arts:
81C Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing arts access, education, and cultural engagement in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its flagship location on Strand Gade in historic Charlotte Amalie houses a contemporary art gallery and event space, serving as a hub for curated exhibitions and community gatherings. Just two blocks away, its sister location in the Camille Pissarro House features a classroom for educational programming and working artist studios—supporting both youth enrichment initiatives and emerging artists. Through these spaces and island-wide partnerships, 81C Arts fosters creative opportunity, visibility, and inclusion across the territory.
In response to the ongoing disruptions in package deliveries affecting St. John residents and businesses, Senator Angel L. Bolques Jr. has announced several actionable steps and options following a constructive meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This meeting comes on the heels of his original appeal for swift federal attention to the crisis, which has left many Virgin Islanders, notably on the island of St. John, without critical goods, including medical supplies.
“After a teleconference meeting with CBP officials, I am encouraged by the steps underway to address the backlog and streamline the customs process,” said Senator Bolques. “I remain fully committed to seeing these measures result in tangible relief for the people of St. John and the Virgin Islands.”
Senator Bolques is also happy to report that cargo processing for the port of St. John, for St. John customers, has now resumed as of today. This key development marks an important milestone in easing the burden on residents and restoring timely access to essential items.
CBP has outlined several key options and clarifications:
· Importer Bond Option: Allows for streamlined shipment processing through bonded clearance.
· Consolidated Entry Summary Process: Simplifies documentation for multiple small consignments.
· Excel Manifest Submittals: Enables efficient clearance using manifest templates for consolidated shipments.
· Required Documentation: Bill of Lading, invoices, and excise tax clearance remain mandatory. Online submission is available and is strongly encouraged.
· 15-Day Clearance Window: Couriers have 15 days from delivery authorization to complete documentation if a bond exists.
· CBP Submission Gaps: CBP has identified that, in many cases, required clearance documents are either not provided by courier services or have not been submitted at all for review and approval.
· Personal Shipment Guidance: Individuals receiving personal packages can request a copy of their Bill of Lading and invoice from the courier and process the clearance themselves. CBP noted this can help save time.
· Excise Tax Process: Excise tax clearance must be obtained through the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s online portal at excise.bir.vi.gov.
· Simplified Option for Low-Value Personal Items: Individuals may opt to pay a standard 6% charge to expedite processing for low-value personal items not intended for rating or classification.
· Need Help? For questions or more information, residents should contact CBP directly at (340) 774-2510 and select the appropriate option.
In addition, Senator Bolques urged CBP to help prioritize medical and emergency shipments, a concern that CBP has acknowledged they will expedite when properly flagged by shipping and courier services. However, these shipments are not consistently being flagged as such, resulting in continued delays for critical items. Senator Bolques emphasized the need for couriers to adhere strictly to this process to ensure life-saving goods and essential supplies reach their destinations without unnecessary hold-ups.
Senator Bolques also reminds the public that excise tax clearance remains unchanged and must be completed online at excise.bir.vi.gov before packages can be processed.
As part of his ongoing dialogue with CBP, Senator Bolques was addressed on concerns regarding courier practices. “A significant source of the public’s frustration seemingly stems from previous practices where courier services delivered packages before securing CBP-certified clearance,” Bolques noted. “Under the now tightened federal regulations, this is no longer permissible. Courier services must not place the bulk of the blame on CBP, and they are responsible for providing accurate, timely information to their customers regarding delivery delays.”
“As your Senator-at-Large, I will continue pressing for responsive service and fair treatment for our islands. I thank CBP for their cooperation and encourage residents to report ongoing issues so we can ensure these solutions are implemented effectively,” said Bolques.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Eleisha Evette Suarez, affectionately known as “Elley,” who departed this life on March 26, at the age of 27. She passed in Orlando, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and cherished memories. Memoriam will be held on May 23, at 10 a.m., at Foundation Ministries, 131 Mt. Welcome, Ste. N2, Christiansted, 00820.
Eleisha Evette Suarez
She is survived by her parents, Victor Angel Suarez and Melanie Suarez; grandparents, Elsie Rios and Benjamin Rios; siblings, Natasha Juliet Suarez, Victor Angel Suarez Jr, Robert Aloyo, Nathaniel Aloyo, Jasmin Aloyo; uncle, Benjamin Rios Jr.; aunt, Evette Rios; other precious cousins, relatives, and friends to numerous to mention.
Come join us as at CCT to celebrate our 40th anniversary as Caribbean Community Theatre presents three shows on May 23, 24 and 25 of “40 Seasons of Love” — a collection of songs and skits performed by some of your favorite performers, and directed by Michael Armendariz and Heather McRae, who will also perform, featuring choreography by Claire Goodman.
Caribbean Community Theatre
-Musical accompaniment will be provided by Joshua Harvey (Music Director) on piano, Padraic Coursey on guitar, and Mario Thomas on bass.
-The performers:
Women: Claire Goodman, Megan Grant, Leslie Highfield, Clara Killy, Heather McRae, Kiomie Pedrini, Annie Barry Pendley, Shanell Petersen, Maddy Wilson
Men: Michael Armendariz, Sean Bailey, Daniel Deane, Tyler Donohoo, Lionel Downer, Tony Emanuel, Bob Gard, Robert Reffell, Will Smith
Plus some of the cast of Anna in the Tropics: Paul Del Rio, Michelle Dizon, Ali Banuelos and Sarah & Addie cast: Karen McIntosh Bruce, Glenderlyn David (Sunday Matinee Only).
Show Dates:
Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m.;
Saturday, May 24 at 4 p.m.; and
Sunday Matinee, May 25 at 4 p.m. (final performance).
Purchase advance tickets online at Eventbrite, or for reservations or more information, email eileencct@gmail.com.
As usual we will have a cash bar, raffle, and a special silent auction!
We are reaching out to our friends within the community for donations such as gift certificates, goods or merchandise to be used for our silent auction or nightly raffle, or monetary donations to support CCT.
Students from the St. Croix Educational Complex participate in the cultural competition. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The Virgin Islands Education Department’s Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education held a celebratory event Friday at the One Communications office on St. Croix, highlighting the accomplishments of students who participated in a unique cultural competition. The event was held in partnership with One Communications, a key collaborator in this year’s initiative.
The Division, which is committed to integrating local heritage into all academic disciplines, particularly the sciences, used the opportunity to award prizes to student winners and recognize all participants with certificates of achievement from across the territory. Present were students from the St. Croix Educational Complex, Alfredo Elementary School, Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School and more. In a new feature this year, QR codes were provided to showcase students’ presentations, allowing attendees to access and appreciate their research digitally.
Alfredo Andrews Elementary School students scored big at the event, winning three awards. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Marketing Coordinator Kafi Armstrong emphasized the importance of local corporate engagement, stating, “I think it’s very important for a company, especially a local company, to be in touch with its community. And our children, our youth, are definitely our future. So why not invest in them?”
State Director Stephanie Chalana Brown, who leads the Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education, explained that the division operates within the broader Education Department’s Curriculum and Instruction division. “We try to make sure that we integrate national standards with our local standards,” said Brown.
State Director Stephanie Chalana Brown, who leads the Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
She further explained the importance of incorporating heritage across various subject areas. “We began to think about how the division has a standard for Virgin Islands culture and how to infuse science, math, agriculture, CTE — all with heritage studies — because they’re all intertwined,” she said.
This year’s competition offered three challenge categories: a Door Challenge, a Sustainability Challenge, and the VI Ancestry Challenge. While participation in the Door Challenge was limited, with only one student entry from the St. Thomas district, the other two challenges saw a much higher level of engagement.
SharraMae Estigo, a Special Education teacher, and her students contributed meaningfully to the project, which featured interactive elements, including QR codes on her submitted door design.
Student Door winner from the St. Thomas/St. John district is SharraMae Estigo. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Brown highlighted the VI Ancestry Challenge as particularly impactful, thanks in part to support from the Community Foundation, which provided access to the American Ancestors platform, a genealogical research tool. “Students can access census records and explore genealogy, but only on a VIDE platform,” she noted. “This research helps them understand whose stories get told and why, encouraging them to consider careers in anthropology, archaeology, and genealogy.”
Navigating historical records, however, was not without challenges. “It was a hard challenge going through census records, and students didn’t always understand everything,” Brown said. “We offered professional development, but teachers still needed assistance, especially in classrooms with 20 or 30 students. Records were sometimes incomplete, or names misspelled, which made the process even more complex.”
Parents, family, and the staff of One Communication and other community members show support for the culture competition winners. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Still, the dedication of teachers and the enthusiasm of students shone through. “A lot of our teachers who participated this year did so by turning the project into a grade-weighted assignment,” Brown explained. “It was wonderful. We got to see how standards actually come down and trickle into the classroom.”
One participant, Trinity Pickering, said about a challenge, “We did the Sustainably Challenge, and in that we took things from our classroom to represent the natural resources, and we did a video where we took a project from our class, which was plants.”
“We talked about how it was important. I learned that cultural diversity is an important thing in our culture,” she continued.
Dan Montella and Trinity Pickering from the Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School, two competitors. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Reflecting on the event’s success, Brown shared her excitement. “This is the largest number of students we’ve had so far. In the first and second years, we didn’t have as much participation. I am so happy to see all the kids and their parents who came out today,” said Brown.
Armstrong also welcomed community engagement beyond the event, adding, “We are always excited to have people in our space at all times. So if you’re at home or anywhere and you feel like stopping by, just come in and see the new store. We welcome you.”
Here is a list of this year’s winners:
Antonio Blanco Alfredo Andrews School Horace Clarke
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
“Misery loves company” is something we have heard since time immemorial. Many of us have experienced this and have been victims of the contagion that is misery. Being in certain spaces and around certain individuals can be downright draining. I am sure all of us can recall a time where we felt exhausted, depleted, and worn out from those conversations. Quite literally, your energy can be upended and shifted by the wrong locations and persons.
However, today we are going to speak to the perpetrators. We often talk about protecting our space, our peace, enforcing boundaries, and staying firm in our resolve. What we don’t talk about as often is changing our behaviors when we are the ones contaminating spaces and the lives of others. It is always difficult to both acknowledge and adjust our perspectives and lenses when we are the problem. Today we can begin the journey to self-decontamination.
We have all been seeing a lot of things on social media lately, riddled with negativity and disagreement. We see the news and feel the effects of poor decision making at all levels of leadership and in all sectors. We wake up daily with a slight tinge of apprehension due to the uncertainty of what lies ahead, locally, regionally, and globally. So, it is quite natural to be frustrated, irritated, angry, outraged, discouraged, helpless, and sometimes, hopeless. We must allow ourselves to feel and to work through those feelings to help find solutions.
The complication with this is that many of us aren’t actually doing the work to heal or overcome what is happening internally. We are weaponizing and projecting it into every room we enter and onto every person we encounter. We stew and steam until we boil over. That is the best case if you have some semblance of emotional regulation. Many people simply explode immediately and everyone is collateral damage. This is not only unhealthy, but unfair, and frankly should be intolerable by those in close proximity.
I recently gave a presentation entitled “Taking Care of You: Redirecting Stress”, where we discussed the types of stresses and ways to address and mitigate them. One of the points that really hit home with two different audiences was the conversation around self-induced stress. Some of the stress factors we highlighted were setting unreasonable expectations, overbooking, too much screen time, among others. I mention this here because some of us refuse to accept responsibility for our role in what is happening in our lives. We are very quick to be victims and shirk the idea that we are also perpetrators of our own misery. Sometimes, we have to stop thinking that something is happening to us and realize that it is happening because of us.
This skewed belief is part of what justifies projecting our issues, pains, sufferings, troubles, trials, and struggles onto others. Even if you are truly innocent in whatever affliction you are experiencing, the people who have nothing to do with it, or are not the cause of it or being treated unfairly. If you are unable to regulate your emotions, you need to stay away from people. If you are unable to stay away from people due to having a family or a job without the availability for time off, then you need to learn how to regulate your emotions. The cycle of irregulated emotions looks like this: you have an attitude, so you infect innocent bystanders who then take on your state and return the same attitude. This reaction gives you a sense of entitlement and justification, thereby increasing the license to keep this poor behavior prominent. What exacerbates this series of events is that you never stop to look at your conduct as the catalyst, only continue to identify the reactions of those around you.
We must stop looking out the window and start looking in the mirror. One of the final thoughts of the aforementioned presentation was a quote by the Dalai Lama which said, “If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” To reiterate the self-induced stress aspect, we need to let things go we can’t fix or change, and if we can do either, we need to stop focusing on the issue and start focusing on the solution. Furthermore, while we are on this path to stabilization, we need to eradicate infecting the spaces we inhabit. Failure to do so will have us waking up one day isolated and alone because we have destroyed every network, burned every bridge, and ostracized every person who cared for us. Unfortunately, some people have and will experience this and still fail to understand it was a product of their own doing.
You do not have to suffer the fracturing of your foundation and circle and the dissolution of your support. You do not have to live a life of misery and undue suffering. You do not have to be the reason people don’t want to be around you. Take the initiative to be your own vaccination and keep the infection from spreading.
Langley “Casual-Word” Shazor is a poet, author, publisher, entrepreneur, public speaking coach, podcast host, and pastor who is an advocate for youth and men. His goal is to enlighten, empower, and liberate those who are silenced, marginalized, and enslaved to self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. Visit thecasualword.com.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
