There is one constant in life, one thing that is guaranteed to happen across the full spectrum that makes up life – change. It remains the only certainty.

The ability to change, and to adapt to change has accounted for the advancement of Mankind since creation. Change, however, comes with its perils and must be tempered so as not to erode foundations built nor undermine traditions and values.

Change in the Grenadian context is an enticing dilemma as we attempt to hold on to traditions and value the efforts of those who preceded us. But at the same time technology and the influences of other societies have created a Grenadian society that sometimes even the most open-minded of us are unable and afraid to identify with.

Change on the political landscape might be the most glaring and while faces and names might have changed in recent times political ideologies since Independence has hardly differed from one political organization to the next. There might be the argument that the period 1979- 1983 was in some ways the exception, and while that might be so, the opportunistic fervor of those associated with the making of the Revolution and its ultimate demise, strongly suggest that the on-surface values vastly differed from the greed and lust for power we see manifest itself throughout our political history.
It can be strongly argued that Grenada as an Island-nation has tremendous potential. A potential uniquely entrenched in a population that, even without policy decisions, have been able to produce the best in the world in several disciplines (including sports and entertainment). The potential goes beyond human resource when one considers the unique location of the island – just outside the hurricane belt, pristine beaches, excellent soil and the overabundance of other natural resources.
As any subscriber to the notion of mediocrity would know, one can just get by, with minimal effort and excuses.
Grenada has just gotten by.

There have been intermittent flashes of glory; on the Olympic stage, Test Cricket stage and International Soca Monarch stage and elsewhere in the world; however, the sustained glory that our potential suggest continues to remain fleeting.

With the success, sporadic as it might be, and obvious potential of Grenada and Grenadians it has become painfully obvious that we are at a juncture in our existence as an independent nation that calls for a change. Not the political change that seems to occupy our entire being (with radio programs dedicated to advocating such change) no, one speaks of a change that begins with each individual.
Can each one of us look at ourselves in the mirror and truthfully answer the question; Am I being the best me I can?
The change we all clamor about, we all hope to see, begins with each one of us as individuals. The hypocritical tendencies, the dependency on politicians and political allegiances, the wanton disregard for the virtues of honesty, decency, pride and hard work are all creations of inconsiderate and selfish behavior.

In recent times we have allowed material gains to determine our value, a perfunctory saunter into a place of worship on the weekend serves to assuage those who question our spirituality, while we turn a blind eye on the major ills of society especially those affecting the young and vulnerable.

For Grenada to change, for the Isle of Spice to blossom into an Eden of consistent success, where our God-given blessings are what take care of us as a people, attitudes must change.

No longer must we feel a sense of entitlement because ‘we party in power’, or must we ‘campaign for we work’. As we have seen in the very recent past allocating key public posts to such individuals can lead to mediocre cultural festivals, ticket giveaways to garner interest in cricket that should by itself attract thousands of Grenadians and the list of follies goes on.

With the individual changes come the overall change and the betterment for our Country that we all desire. In fact our Anthem clearly spells out how that ultimate goal can be achieved; ‘Heads, Hearts and Hands in Unity, To Reach Our Destiny…’

“It’s only the truth that always remains unchanged…” from one of the winning renditions of King Dice the 2014 Calypso Monarch of Dominica.

Are you happy and comfortable with your truth?

Dexter Mitchell