INSPIRING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES!
Category: Events
Here I give you a peep into Events organised by InspireMe and events organised by some of my friends or associates. These are events for the “different” crowd. Those who prefer the event or activity that would give them a meaningful experience, one that is uplifting, inspiring and yet fun.
Sitting on my couch, I looked at the clock and it said 11:17 a.m. and I had to acknowledge that today was a day that I lacked the drive and excitement to attack my to-do list. Oh yes! I had it all planned out but “I ain’t feeling it.” Today, I am feeling down, dry, discouraged and cornered. It feels like my will is dampened and I lack the energy to even encourage myself.
And yet, I find myself in front of my laptop effortlessly running my fingers over the keypad and I realise that somehow I possess the will and the energy to write. The truth is, like others, writing does me well and is very therapeutic. Writing allows me to breathe, to exhale, to rid myself of the lazy spirit that often lurks nearby.
Today, I am struggling to achieve, to do, to move ahead. Yet by writing this, I feel as if I am conquering the unknown. Writing is my saving grace. Writing is my opportunity to push away the curtain and let in the sunlight. Writing is my “go” button, the spark that rekindles the many passions within.
I acknowledge that today while I feel like doing nothing, I cannot give in because all I have is today. Today is my small dream that connects me to winning and to achieving my goals and my purpose. Today is the step that needs to be taken, the building block that needs to be snugly placed into the empty space necessary to finish the wall. Today is the day that would make a difference tomorrow and it is critical that I embrace it positively and not waste it to my regret.
So while I can simply recline and call it a day and feel terrible after, I would instead continue motivating myself to act, to execute, to win over the negative thoughts hovering over my head. It is definitely not part of my DNA to give in and it is certainly not in line with my destiny.
Today, encourage yourself by remembering that today is all you have to make a difference tomorrow and keep pushing through it for the minutes and hours are passing too fast. Remember! Today is a gift from God. Time is not yours!
I have truly exhaled. I just motivated myself! Today is going to be a good day!
Recently, I held a Christian Writers’ Meet-up and from the responses I have received thus far, I would say it was a success. The success realised is due to God being allowed to have his way, sponsors who were willing to support and most importantly Participants who trusted “The Vision”.
I have given some serious thought to the word “Vision”. I have no doubt that the Vision for this Event descended from God himself.  Here is why:
 The Vision came out of spiritual growth after personally experiencing a spiritual drought, failure and discouragement. In other words, it represented a revival in my heart following days, weeks and months of searching the mind of God as it relates to what he thinks of me and desires of me in terms of service to humanity.
The Vision was timely; It came after I was inspired to start writing in a big way, right after I started my blog and added to that, when other writers were contacted and the vision was shared with them, they were ready to jump in. The discussion was not about “if” but “when”.
The Vision did not die, even when I placed it on pause for a while because I wanted to be sure, it did not die; it expanded, added extensions and branches as it took root. I had no choice but to add water to the roots and embrace the green leaves.
The Vision became reality and has the potential to bear lasting fruit. When God gives us a vision, he uses our experiences to create it, marrying it with his word and his plan for us and for others. When he gives us a vision, our finite minds are not able to grasp the full extent of it and so we must trust Him that our efforts, sacrifice and risk-taking will be worth it; fruit will come.
Be mindful that we must be first concerned about connecting with God and allowing him to feed us through his word, to build us up and to equip us for the task ahead. He cannot give us a vision to carry out if we are distracted and unstable in our devotion towards him.  Pursuing purpose is really about pursuing God.
About a month ago I met Jerel Langaigne. We met in April, 2018, at a Seminar for persons interested in photographers; I was introduced to Jerel by a very good friend and sister in Christ, Genel Forteau. Genel had told me about this Christian young lady who was into fashion and I anticipated meeting her.
I always wanted to hear more about her, to hear her story, especially because fashion and models have really been sold in a manner that glorifies the bodies of the models, the sexy garments they display on the runway, and the designing and construction skills of many creative designers out there. I saw it as an Industry, like all other industries focused on gaining recognition and business opportunities. I wanted to find out more about her perspective on fashion and the role to be played by Christians within this industry.
I have had my own dreams (and still do) of somehow impacting the world through fashion because, I love designing.
Jerel Langaigne – Skirt made by Modesty Fashions Grenada (Jerel)
Jerel Langaigne grew up in a Christian Family, she attended the St. Joseph Convent in Grenada, one of our Prominent Secondary Schools. Jerel was desirous of becoming an Architect; her dream was to travel to Cuba to study Architecture. Cuba, because she would then get the opportunity to be bilingual. She felt confident this was God’s will for her life and waited, with high expectation, for it to materialize. Well, it didn’t, her scholarship application was turned down.
While waiting for answers and still seeking God’s will, Jerel began teaching. It later became paramount that she become qualified as a teacher, hence her quest again to obtain a scholarship. Her story takes an interesting, mind boggling turn; Jerel received a scholarship but not for Teaching but for Fashion Designing, she was told, this is the area available. Her question was, “Lord, why Fashion Design?”.
Designers: Team Westerhall Secondary School – Winners of the Designer Challenge Trophy
In our journey through life, there are those moments when all we could do is trust God’s leading. You see, as he leads, we are often taken through a maze that makes very little sense to us and all we could do is draw closer to God praying for a word soon, for the revelation.
Jerel held on to God’s unchanging promises and waited for him to reveal his plan for her. She successfully completed her degree graduating with great distinction (Magna Cum Laude), from the University of Trinidad & Tobago – Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design. You can get a taste of what I am speaking of by checking out her awesome thesis collection on YouTube; you can see the application of Fabric surface treatment on most, if not all of her pieces. Jerel speaks of her financial limitations that restricted her spending and how blessed she was to have learned how to treat fabrics (tie-dying) She was able to take one basic colour fabric and transform them into beautiful fabric. I enjoyed every bit of the video, pressing “replay” more than once.
Jerel speaks of countless challenges while studying in Trinidad and is grateful today, for each one. After listening to her story, I am convinced that her journey was personally designed by God and her success at the University confirmed that he was there all along. Jerel (with a capable team) was able to pull off the first ever “Totally Local Grenada Fashion Week”.
Designer: Denny Cronneit – Cronneits Forest Bows – Won most memorable collection – St. John’s
The journey to Fashion Week began in 2017. The Fashion Week was held from July 7th – 14th, 2018. I really wanted to be there to experience the display of our local talent, but my work and family schedules made it difficult. However, owing to the Facebook connection, I was able to follow to an extent.
The Fashion Week started with a Beauty Conference organized by M.E. Salon and Virtue School of Beauty, Grenada, who partnered with Grenada Fashion Week.
The Beauty Conference was held at the Salon and offered the opportunity to learn more about;
Natural Hair Care
Make up Artistry
Manicures and Pedicures
Nail Technology
Massage Therapy
Genel Forteau – Dress Designed by “Modesty Fashions Grenada” (Jerel)
“Sin came to take man away from God’s glory. What does that have to do with purpose? Everything! Our purpose is locked up in understanding God’s glory and yielding to God’s glory”.
This statement struck me deep; it was the statement of essence and it summed up the point of the entire presentation, pretty much!
The Bible reference given was;
Matthew 6:33 King James Version (KJV)
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.
Another of Genel’s quotes:
“When it comes to our purpose project, when it comes to our destiny, it is all in the Creator”! I just love this.
Following the Conference, three Fashion Shows were held, the first in St Mark’s, on July 11th, the Second in the Parish of St. Andrew’s on July 12th and the final one in the Capital, St. George. As I looked at the designs, I was truly inspired to see the great attempts made by our young and thriving designers. Something Grenada can be proud about.
Designer: Ruth Sosa Chrichlow
I asked Jerel, “As someone working in the field of Fashion, how do you manage the conflict, being involved in the Fashion Industry and being a Christian?” I loved her response “By Ministering to them.” She further explained that what is important is that you openly share your faith and do not compromise on your Godly standards. She reminded me that Jesus dwelt among sinners, so he can reach them. The idea is to infiltrate to influence; not becoming like them but remaining uncontaminated, so that our Father can be glorified.
The curtain came down on the last day with a reward and recognition ceremony.
I pray that Jerel is successful in drawing others to Christ as she seeks to be salt and light in the Fashion Industry. I may not understand everything about the “how” and it is not my duty to. What I am, is filled with anticipation, to see how God would use her in such a time as this.
I look forward to “Grenada Fashion Week 2019”
Pursue Purpose!
Designer: Ramona Alexander
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