Today is a great day no matter where you find yourself in life at this time, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually! Today is a great day to experience Independence on an any person, place, or thing.

On this day in August 31st 1962, a model for’ independence’ was shared with the world. Happy 57th Independence anniversary Trinidad and Tobago referred by many as Trinbago! As many of my followers know, I am a patriotic Trinbagonian. And I display it daily with my pins on my attire and my general attitude. Look out today for my red, white, and black attire (the colors of the flag of Trinidad and Tobago), of course, with the pin and the sing-song accent when applicable.

The words (our motto) ‘Discipline, Tolerance, and Production’ has been ingrained since a child, and I do my best to live them out. When the visionary the Right Honorable Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, the founder of this great nation encrypted these nurturing words to and for the nation, he was also sending it out to the world. Anyone who hears and apply them daily have a model to sustain a mental healthy and non addicted life.

Let’s start with the word ‘Discipline’ which means to obey rules or a code of conduct. Many of us, kidnapped into addiction of any form, can agree that a lack of discipline has been responsible for the situation we find ourselves in today. The discipline to say “No’ to unhealthy decisions, that if not checked will hold us in bondage for the rest of our lives. Making choices that we are already aware of the consequences is insanity; doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Thus, the application of self-discipline of thought and mind will take us to the peace we seek though the addictive behaviors.

Scripturally, Hebrews 12:10-11 states, “10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Clearly discipline can be painful at times. But what a peace it eventually reaps as we take every thought captive and place it into the right receptacle of our minds.

Moving on to ‘Tolerance’ which is the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. Lack of tolerance or endurance to tolerance has placed many of us in situations, where we choose to take the easy route of escape, which time and time again has proven to be detrimental to our desired outcome.

Scripturally, James 1:2-4 states, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” There we have it, laid out to us in a golden platter. Plain and simple english. Substitute the word tolerance with perseverance and there goes our answer.

Lastly, ‘Production’ which means the activity of making something. Making something of oneself. Are we being productive with our choices? What can we show to God, or man for the atheist or agnostic at the end of the day? What are our choices producing that will benefit not just our selfish selves, but our families, our communities, the world, the universe? Just what are we producing? You think about it. What will be our legacies when we leave this earthly vessel, and go to where we deserve to go, based on our production (good or bad) or lack thereof?

Scripturally, Colossians 1:10 states, “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Are you ‘bearing’ or producing fruit in every good work? Are your products worth of display? If yes. To whom?

My dear readers are you free? Are you independent in your thoughts, your daily choices? What does independence mean to you? I beg you to let ‘Discipline, Tolerance, and Production’ be your guide today and forever. You think about it!

Good morning!.

Remember, “nothing changes if nothing changes”, and : the same person will always use.”

Have a Blessed day in the Lord! You deserve it!

From the desk of Andy Ansola