“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:2 Although we go through life not knowing exactly how long we shall live, I think that it is safe to say that, given my age, I am probably well into the final quarter of my life and am planning as such. …

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19 Crime and other antisocial behaviors are destroying lives and the quality of life of residents in the Caribbean. If left unchecked this could negatively impact our bread-and-butter tourism industry. …

“Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.” – Proverbs 3:23 The economies of the Caribbean are heavily dependent on tourism. Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) economy, unlike that of most of the English-speaking Caribbean countries, has been led by growth in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. The major …

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 11:15 On November 21, Zimbabwean billionaire businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa delivered the Barbados Central Bank’s 47th Sir Winston Scott annual memorial lecture. It has been reported that he believes Barbados can lead the region in creating a venture capital ecosystem to help grow entrepreneurship. Masiyiwa cautioned …

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 Welcome to Guyana, the land of six peoples – Chinese, African, East Indian, Amerindian, Brazilian Portuguese and European. British Guiana (BG), the size of England but with 1.25 percent of England’s population, was known as the land of many waters.  The whole …

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17 The body sizes of the elephant and ant species, because of their respective DNAs, are different, even though they both play a part in the natural ecology process. Micro, small, medium and large business enterprises all …

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” – Proverbs 3:24 Guyanese Derrice Deane, a respected Caribbean-American Washington DC-based journalist, responded to a recent column, by commenting: “Dear Basil: I agree with your prescription for ageing gracefully. I think we would all do better if …

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 My son Bevan recently wrote a piece in his new series “FROM THE HEART”, where he reflected: “Despite my daily telephonic communication with my father, Basil, on every manner of topic, …

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:11 “A change is as good as a rest” is an old English proverb which means that changing your environment is as beneficial as taking a break from your routine. Travel is one way of changing your environment. …

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” – Psalm 92:14 Our Creator has a plan for us even though we are not privy to the details. Our responsibility is to make wise decisions to help our bodies live a vibrant and full life and to impart our …

“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:11 Tuesday, July 5, 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of my colleague and friend the late Professor the Honourable Oliver Headley who passed away over 20 years ago. We worked on many solar distillation, solar …

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 David Anthony Jerome Holford passed away on Monday, May 30. He has been deservingly revered as a cricketing legend. The Prime Minister of Barbados has praised him as “a true gentleman of the …

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” – Proverbs 11:24 When The Marketplace Excellence (MPE) Caribbean report recently featured accomplished Barbadian tennis coach Lionel Eli on receiving his “Unsung Hero” award from the Barbados Government at the Barbados Consulate in Canada, Lionel remarked: “I think the best …

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26 Women possess a superior intuition (women’s intuition), an almost psychic — and somewhat frightening — knack for knowing what others are feeling and thinking. Experts say this intuition is based on an ability to read facial expressions and body language. It …

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” – Psalm 96:11-12 The concept of sustainable development was described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report as …

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 Just over six months ago while chatting casually with some of my Marketplace Excellence (MPE) colleagues, it was suggested that after decades of a traditional business presentation format, my column should now pivot to more of a …