Life owes us nothing

Jan 08, 2010 Letters

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Dear editor,
I would be very happy if you would publish these observations of mine which are as a result of living for more than three scores and ten.
As I grew up as a teenager in the early 1950’s a gentleman by the name of Robert B.O. HART commonly known then as “SWEETY HART” constantly wrote a column headed “THINGS THAT BOTHER ME”.
These days as I reflect on life, generally, there are many things that bother me, and I am sure I am not alone. I recently returned from the U.S.A where I went to spend time with my family and as usual it was great. However, as usual, having recently travelled to the U.S.A. one is asked several questions. One question that occurred regularly was, ‘Mr. Coddett why you choose to remain in Guyana while your family live in the U.S.A. and all of them doing well?’
At this stage I must state that I have three daughters and a son in the U.S. A. and a daughter in Canada. All of them are professionals— a Medical Doctor, a Primary School Principal, a University Professor, and a Vice President of a leading Bank. My daughter in Canada is a Business Executive.
The question constantly asked me, set me thinking. Firstly why do I still live in Guyana? My immediate family understands this, but I must state that I still remain in Guyana because I love Guyana and feel that I have played my part and will still continue to play a part.
When I worked with the Burnham Government I was solely responsible for the creation of GUYOIL, and I feel that by sharing my experiences with all Guyanese who are willing to read, follow and adapt we can together work towards building a better Guyana.
In doing so it would be quite possible for the many other Guyanese families that have gone to the U.S.A and do as well as my family will eventually return to help building Guyana.
Now I can only tell you of my experience. This means going into a bit of history, starting with my grand-father JONAS HONIWOOD DYER.
His parents placed great importance on education and as a result, my grandfather and his two brothers attended Queen’s College in the early 1900’s while his sisters attended Ursuline Convent in those days.
My grandfather became an Accountant, one brother, a Pharmacist and another, an Engineer. My grandfather’s father also built for his son-in-Law the Reverend Frank, the FRANK CHURCH in New Amsterdam and it is still active, and a part of the Congregational Union of Churches.
These factors prevailed in my family for generation after generation. I have two brothers and three sisters and three of us are professionals, and have graduated from universities. In my case five of my children have graduated from Universities as well as several of my grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews but they are all in the U.S.A and Canada.
All this happened because of the DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE, CONTINUOUS FOCUS and going the Extra Mile i.e. working relentlessly to achieve your goal.
This brings me to the next point that bothers me. Every time I open the newspapers or look at the television news I am bombarded by the complaints people are making about the failure of the Government to take proper care of the economy, that children can’t read and write, rape, criminal activities etc. Everybody is looking for someone else to put things right.
I believe that every person in Guyana could personally accomplish a better standard of living by starting to put in practice the principles I have just mentioned.
One only has to look around at some of the successful families such as Toolsie Persaud, Gafoor, Mc Kay, Rambarran, Courtney Benn, Fung-a-fat, Splashmin, Denbows, Robertsons, Munroes, Griffiths, Edwards, Hughes, Bostons, Pollards, Jackman and one can go on and on. None of these persons came from wealthy families but if you examine their activities closely you will surely find that in every case, use was made of the principles just examined.
I therefore urge each and every person reading this article to make a fresh start by examining his or her own situation and select a Definite Major purpose, pursue it constantly and go the extra mile. You have nothing to lose. You have everything to gain. Start the New Year right.
I leave you with this quote from lines of this article titled “MY WAGE” from THE DOOR OF DREAMS.
I bargained with life for a penny, and life would pay no more
However I begged at evening When I courted my scanty store, For life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task, I worked for a menial’s hire
Only to learn dismayed
That any wage I had asked of life, Life would have willingly paid.
Jonas M.F. Coddett

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