Joys and Concerns

Life in Paradise is like living anywhere else in the world except you get to wake up and go to sleep in a place that is so incredibly beautiful that it literally takes your breath away! St. Croix's (STX)  beauty is a constant reminder of life's wonderful magnificence and the bountifulness of creation. It keeps me ever mindful of my relationship with that which is sacred and divine in my life (the Most High) and draws me into nature which is reflected in so many different ways on STX.

 

Taken from the back patio of a friend's home overlooking Salt Bay in St. Croix.

It is Monday, my day off and at 2:40 pm I have already done the following:

*met with my social work supervisor that I am required to meet with. I have worked at the Caribbean Kidney Center, an independent dialysis center, as the Medical Social Worker for over a year. Since I cannot document that I have had two years of social work under a Masters of Social Work supervisor although I have worked 27 years as a social worker in direct and indirect services. Thus, I am required to meet twice a month for an hour each time with a LCSW. She and I are well into our first year of meeting. Actually, it is a blessing in disguise because I get to talk about any issues I am facing in the work place that challenge my competency and skills as well as my individual growth and development. It is a mentor and therapist and consultant rolled into one.
And while I have to pay for it it is so worth every penny.

So I find myself almost at retirement (I just turned 65) and I am just closing in on my Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) status which will allow me to be a Medicare Provider when I retire and do some counseling and free lance consulting. Better late than never!

*met with the Board of Directors of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix where I serve very part time as the minister. We meet monthly to address the business of the Fellowship. We are a small Fellowship of 30 members and looking for ways to grow. I am moving into my second year with them.

Here are a few pictures that reflect life in St. Croix. 

 

L-R Qiyamah and B J at Pt. Udall, the northern most point of STX. BJ is my oldest sister and recently visited me from Atlanta, GA.

BJ enjoying the beach in STX

 

 

BJ in St. Thomas. She went with me when I traveled to St. Thomas to take my social work licensure exam. I studied my behind off but missed a passing score by 5 points! :( I shall have to take it again!

 

Blackbeard Hotel where we stayed in St. Thomas. One of the "cheapest" ($80 a night) but nicest hotels in the area. The rooms were clean and nice but it is tucked away high on a hill in a residential area. They have no restaurant and so we had to venture out using taxis. Lovely place and I would recommend it. Just be prepared to pay for taxis everywhere you go. BJ had some mobility challenges and so we used taxis a lot! My taxi did not show to take to me to my exam and fortunately I allowed sufficient time, called another one and got myself where I needed to be with time to spare!

 

This is the courtyard at the Blackbeard Hotel. I have forgotten who this gentleman is.

 

While St. Thomas is spectacularly beautiful I made the right decision with St. Croix (STX). STX is less congested and does not have the hustle bustle that St. Thomas has.

 

These are two of the many cruise ships that come into St. Thomas daily. St. Croix on the other hand may get 2-3 over a month if that many while St. Thomas is the regular port of call for cruise ships. While we were there one of the largest ships in the world came in (17 decks) and with thousands on board. St. Croix could never accommodate that many tourists. Again, it is a beautiful place but I would not want to live there!

Question: Where is the beauty in your life? How are you slowing down to take advantage of and enjoy that beauty?   Remember, life is short so don't sweat the small stuff!

Blessings! Rev. Qiyamah