Now I guess, that when some people read the title of today's article 'Don't Leave Your Gifts Unused' they may be a bit puzzled saying to themselves or perhaps another "All the gifts I get at Christmas or on my birthday I always use right away". Well My Friend, you should know by now, that I'm dealing here today on a much deeper level. I'm not referring to any earthly, material gifts you may have been given on special occasions, but I'm referring to about something much more important and that is your Heavenly Gifts, for want of a better word, which you were given, free of charge by your Creator at birth.
That's right, I'm talking about the Unique, Very Special Talents which were given to you at birth by The Creator, which once discovered, developed and refined over time can take you anywhere you want to go in life ....literally! It's very sad to observe a whole lot of people who have these special gifts, these unique talents but which are lying dormant and just not being used.
Now why is this do you think, why is it that a whole lot of people worldwide are just not using their God-given gifts, their talents to assist them in reaching The Promised Land? The answer is quite simple. They have not been made aware of them and if you literally don't know what you've got; well then, obviously you don't use it. That to me is a tragedy of monumental proportions and needs to be rectified A.S.A.P.
So today's article is a very important message to all Parents, Guardians and Teachers. It's your job to make the Children in your temporary care fully aware of how talented they really are, and then to assist them in developing, refining and using their gifts, their God-given talents in the service of Humanity. Yes indeed, please make sure that the young people in your care are fully aware of and use their God-given gifts, their talents.

o Think about it!
Visit my website at: www.dpaulreilly.com.
Listen to "time to Think" the radio program on STAR 106.5 FM at 8:55 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

"Irrespective of any political party, I am a supporter of good people who want to do something for the society." - Kapil Dev

Since the May 2017 general election, there have been several momentous developments in the body politic. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) witnessed Mr. Christie's resignation as party leader, marking the end of 20 years in that position, followed by the announcement of a new leader. We have mourned the untimely death of a former minister, long-time friend and veteran politician, and we have also observed the arrest of two former PLP politicians.
There are some who have prematurely announced the death of the PLP. There are, however, many others who are hoping for its radical transformation into an even stronger political force, reminiscent of its former glory years.
Therefore, this week, we would like to Consider this... Does the PLP have the capacity to expand its political tent to become more inclusive of a larger number of diverse persons from a wider constituency of the population?

A rich legacy
The PLP, which was formed in 1953, has a rich tradition and an even richer legacy of achievements on the journey of nation-building.
For most of its history, the country's oldest party was directed and driven primarily by a handful of leaders. However, in both the Pindling and Christie administrations, the party was largely influenced by its leaders, who were always considered first among equals.
There are some who maintain that one of the primary reasons for the split that occurred in the PLP after the early days of Majority Rule was the transformation of Sir Lynden Pindling into what some of his colleagues considered to be a maximum leader. The split initially led to the formation of the Free PLP, which morphed into the Free National Movement (FNM) in 1971, just four after years after Majority Rule.

The party organization
The hierarchy of the PLP, in recent years, has remained stagnant, lacking a progressive vision and mired in the cult of personality of the party leader. Because the PLP blatantly ignored its constitutionally mandated directive to hold annual national conventions, none were held between 2009 and 2017. Therefore, the same officers who were elected in 2009 remained in place until the convention that was held earlier this year.
This resulted in stagnant leadership by the party leader and chairman, neither of whom demonstrated the visionary insight that was urgently needed to replenish and reinvent the party's archaic ideas and practices during the eight years when neither person was challenged in a convention. We believe that this violation of the party's constitution resulted in stagnation and that shortage of fresh, new ideas enormously contributed to the PLP's devastating defeat at the polls on May 10.

It's time for a change
On the heels of its decisive rejection at the polls on May 10, the party leader did the right thing by resigning his office. The chairman, who we maintain was equally responsible for the PLP's rejection, should have followed the party leader by also resigning.
But, like so many who refuse to understand when it is time to go, the party chairman has held onto his position. He refuses to do the honorable thing by handing over that office to another person. Besides sending a signal to the Bahamian electorate that he, too, accepts responsibility for the party's defeat, this would demonstrate that the party wants to make room for new leadership, new ideas and a new vision.
The chairman simply does not get it. He refuses to appreciate that the electorate also rejected his brand of leadership and that the party cannot begin the process of rebuilding, renewal and rejuvenation as long as he remains in place.
In response to calls for his resignation, the party chairman has reverted to his typically belligerent ad hominem response, insinuating that those who have suggested that it is time for a change are either outdated or inactive in the party's activities and are agents who seek to harm the party. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Reform, renewal and rejuvenation
There is an urgent need for the PLP to immediately renew and rejuvenate itself if it intends to attract new persons and to re-energize its base that has been discouraged by the devastating defeat. There are several specific actions that the party can take to accomplish these objectives.
First, the party must complete its scientific assessment of why it lost the last election by encouraging the consultant who has been commissioned to complete this exercise. It is important for the report to be made public and for the party to honestly discuss and debate its findings.
Secondly, the party must undertake an honest assessment of what is required to reorganize itself and return to a vibrant institution. While this might be painful to some, it is necessary.
Third, the party must reevaluate its vision for a 21st century Bahamas. It must revisit its core values and determine how to modernize those values to make them relevant for a modern Bahamas.
Fourth, the party must reach out to the young voters, who it has generally ignored over the past five years, with a view to embracing and incorporating their ideas, insights and perspectives.
Fifth, the party must be willing to accept constructive criticism from anyone who is prepared to offer it, especially about how the party should be reorganized by critically assessing its personnel at every level of the organization.
Sixth, the party must reinforce its commitment to weeding out corruption, misfeasance and malfeasance at all levels of its organization, but particularly it must commit to scrupulous vetting of the candidates who will run in the next election.
Seventh, the arty must reestablish, re-energize and reinvigorate its constituency branches throughout the country.
Eighth, the party must organize itself into a robust, modern political organization that is dedicated to understanding the changing needs of the electorate and providing solutions as to how those challenges will be confronted and resolved.
Ninth, the party must review its constitution with a view to limiting the power of the party's leader, particularly regarding the appointment of stalwart councilors. This will insure that never again will the party be mired in the cult of personality of a leader who could lead the entire organization in a disastrously destructive direction.
Tenth, the party must encourage a culture of openness and accountability. It should establish an effective communications directorate that will regularly report to the public regarding the changes that it is making to overcome its deficiencies.
Finally, the party should make it patently clear that it not only welcomes but also has a significant place for all Bahamians, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation.

Conclusion
The Progressive Liberal Party began as a progressive, liberal political organization. It started as a party that embodied the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the neglected, the downtrodden and the underprivileged. It was a party that believed in uplifting a people so all could have an equal opportunity for advancement in our society. It must return to those former glory days.
The PLP must convince the people that it does not and will not tolerate corruption on the part of anyone associated with it.
Finally, the PLP must radically change the view that it is a party that encourages inequity and exclusion. It must become and be seen as a party that is prepared to invite and include all Bahamians from all sectors of our society in its ranks.
In so doing, the PLP will once again be able to offer itself as a political organization with an expansive tent where all are welcome. In so doing, once again the PLP will regain the strength that comes only from having the talents, knowledge and contributions of a membership as diverse and varied as the population of our country. In so doing, the PLP will become relevant to those who rejected it as they see how dynamic a force it can be, once again, for the good of our nation.

o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.

I guess that the title of today's article, beware of your "news diet'' may indeed be a bit puzzling to many, and understandably so. Well let me explain it like this -- I had the good fortune over the years to be associated with and learn from many great teachers, authors and specialists in their field. One of these mentors was Dr. Denis Waitley, author of many bestselling books and world-renowned authority on winning and high performance. Among his bestselling books were "The Psychology of Winning", "The Winner's Edge" and "Being Your Best" to name a few.
In his first book 'The Psychology of Winning' he obviously spoke a whole lot about developing a positive mental attitude (PMA) as W. Clement Stone would refer to it. Now in order to maintain a positive, a winning attitude, we have to be extremely conscious of our environment, the people we mix with and what we watch on T.V. and listen to on radio to make sure we're getting a mental diet of positivity as opposed to negativity.
Dr. Waitley emphasized that the news is basically a long list of what went wrong in the world during the last 24-hour news cycle. He further emphasized that by listening to all of that negativity. It can indeed have a detrimental, a negative effect on our individual thinking thus tending to get us to focus too much on what is wrong in the world. So he warned everyone who watched the news to as the title of today's article puts it, beware of your "news diet".
Yes my friend, to win in life you need to have and maintain a positive attitude as much as possible. So please limit yourself to the amount of negativity you subject yourself to on a daily basis. Don't keep on listening to a long list of what's wrong with the world as this can and indeed will eventually drag you down mentally and will not help you to be a winner.

o Think about it!
Visit my website at: www.dpaulreilly.com.
Listen to "Time to Think" the radio program on STAR 106.5 FM at 8:55 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

During my 22 years as a marriage and family therapist, I've observed that for many there are two things more intimate than sex. These two things you might not think are intimate, but based on the behavior of individuals they are. These two things are money and dancing.
Here's how I came to this conclusion -- many spouses or partners can have the most erotic, passionate and explosive lovemaking, but they refuse to get close with their money. They can share all parts of their body, but their purse and wallets are out of bounds to their partners. Their bodies join together but not the money. Similarly, many couples can dance romantically together while holding each other in a pubic dance hall, banquet or ballroom, but they cannot hold each other that close while dancing at home when no one is watching. It seems as though it is easier to show off and pretend than to be real, hence, while at home, when no one is watching, they cannot pretend anymore. Dancing at home while no one is watching calls for real emotional intimacy and closeness. This cannot be faked. It has to be real. Showing off is easy, but there is no one to show off for at home, thus, there is no real motivation to hold each other so closely if the hearts are not truly bonded.
I am sure you see why I say that for many couples money and dancing are more intimate than sex. Healthy marriage involves the total participation of both partners in literally every aspect of his or her life -- physical, intellectual, emotional, financial, spiritual and social. It is a 100/100 percent relationship where both partners are giving, divulging, sharing, exposing, everything. It is not a 50/50 relationship.
I am amazed how so many couples do not operate as a financial unit. They do not have a common budget and they keep financial secrets. This is a disaster in relationships.
Several years ago I wrote: "A basic problem in many marriage relationships is that many couples have no idea of what it is to have a joint financial plan. Their financial plan is just agreeing on who will be responsible for which household bill. For example, in a typical Bahamian home, the couple will come to an agreement that the wife will buy the food and pay the telephone bill while the husband will pay the rent/mortgage, and the children's school fees. This is what they call working together. This type of financial planning has serious flaws for married couples. It is a recipe for disaster. If one bill is too high in a given month and is not paid by a spouse, an argument develops. The other spouse's response is usually like this: "I am not giving you any money to pay that bill, that's your responsibility." How could such an arrangement bring happiness and harmony in a home? It spells disaster. An even greater disaster is when one spouse alone controls the money, treating the other partner like a child by giving an allowance or spending money and refusing to include the partner in the decision-making process.
Psychologist Dr. David Olson in his book "Empowering Couples" states that, "Research shows that couples in which partners feel they have equal control over how money is spent are more satisfied with their relationships than couples in which one partner tends to control money matters. How does a couple gain control over and manage its money? The answer is in budgeting. Budgeting gives couples control over their money, rather than having their bills and spending control their lives."
I have observed that one reason many couples do not have a family budget is because they are too lazy. It is a lot of work to create and maintain a family budget, but its benefits are numerous and results in less stress.
For effective family financing couples must first accept that all household expenses are the full responsibility of both partners in the relationship. The couple must agree on what these expenses are. Generally, household expenses include food, all utilities, rent/mortgages, car gas, cooking gas, cable and Internet services, medical/dental/optical expenses, insurance, school fees, car repairs, home repairs, daycare, etc. When a man and woman agree to live together in holy matrimony they are in reality stating that they will take care of each other and be equally responsible for each other. This is whether or not both partners are working.
After agreeing that they are both responsible, the couple must now plan together. With paper and pen in hand, they will sit down and make up a budget that will include both incomes and all household expenses. The concept of a family budget is that household expenses will now be funded by the budget and not by a specific partner.
There are too many married partners who do not know how much their spouse is making. This is not partnership in marriage. Budgeting brings all the cards to the table. Couples must be honest and agree to share fully all assets and liabilities because they are really total, equal partners. Too many wives are not aware of what their husbands are actually making. Since a husband is paying all of the bills, the wife seems to feel she is taken care of and she is safe, but it is a false sense of security that can vanish during difficult times. Many wives are taught not to let their husbands know what their incomes are. Some feel threatened if they "expose" their financial assets to their spouses. The truth is that this practice of secrecy and of individual financial independence in marriage is not healthy, and certainly does not represent partnership in marriage.
The above principles are given to encourage couples to participate in the relationship as a team, rather than two separate individuals who focus mostly on what's best for themselves. Research tells us that couples who pool their finances are somewhat less likely to break up. Too many couples argue about my money and your money. Budgeting helps eliminate the pervasive sense of mine versus yours.
Marital expert Dr. Howard Markman states in his book "Fighting for Your Marriage", that attitude can fuel conflict and competition, since when there's no clear sense of being part of a team, deeper issues such as caring, recognition and control are easily triggered. We aren't suggesting that you merge your identity with that of your partner's. Rather, we are saying that it is healthy to have a clear sense of yourselves as two individuals coming together to form a team and that the team's goals are important. What a difference this will make in how you view life.

o Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and family therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist. Send your questions or comments to barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box CB-13019, Nassau, The Bahamas, or visit www.soencouragement.org or call 242-327-1980 or 242-477-4002.