Mangoose Seh If Yu Nuh Tek Chance Yu A Nuh Man

SNOWSHOEING ACROSS SUSPENSION BRIDGE - SCENIC CAVES

"Mangoose she if yu nuh tek chance yu a nuh man."


Translation:  Mongoose say if you do not take chances you are not a man.

What does this mean?  This proverb is about taking risk.  In my own experience, people used it to justify taking a risk, make excuses for haven taken an over-aggressive risk or trump up the courage to take a chance with something. 

The proverb came out observation of the need for the Mongoose to cross the road from one cane field to another.  The risk here is that the Mongoose might get killed by a vehicle while crossing the road, yet, to get to the other field it is necessary to cross the road.  It can be applied to just about any situation that involves taking a chance, like deciding to pull up stake and relocate in another town, city or even another country.  By taking a chance you show what you are made of - big and tough, or small and weak!

The thing is, without taking risks, you accomplish nothing.  Like the Mongoose, muster up the courage and cross that road!

Look what this Mongoose goes up against!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdg9gkmWsEA


Happy day dreaming today.

MissSam

March 30,2014

Pick Yu Breed Before Yu Breed

Pick yu breed before yu breed.

Translation:  Pick (or choose) your breed before you breed (procreate)!

What does this mean?  I give +Sonia Mundle-Smith, my Facebook friend & high school alumnus,  for this one.  She posted a picture of a scene where the roads some place in the U.S.A. were under lockdown after a bank robery, and made the statement that her grandmother used to say "pick you breed before yu breed".  Oh, those grandmothers!  Most of these incredibly wise Jamaican proverbs originated from these witty grandmothers, stated with humour in the language they knew.  The caution of this proverb is if you want to avoid scenes like the one pictured on her post happening with a member your family being the bank robber, know the family you are getting involved with. 

This is nothing new of course, families have been "picking thir breed" from bible days.  The Royal Families around the world do it and even my father said he picked the prettiest girl in the district to marry.  Turns out she was not only pretty, she was smart, ambitious, forward thinking and hard working too.  With industrialization where masses of people moved to cities and peoples identities and background are hard to verify the art of "picking your breed" has lost it's importance somehow and yet, in my opinion, it is still very relevant if you want to - as +Bob Proctor would say "improve the breed".  Bob Proctor is a motivational speaker who was ahead of the curve in self development.

If you are single and dating, be conscious of this proverb.  If you have children, impart this gem to them early!

Enjoy your Saturday & walk good,


MissSam

Saturdy Mar 15, 2014

Yu A Mek Pavement Fi Monkey Skip

"Yu a mek payvement fi monkey skip".

Translation:  You are making pavement for monkey to skip.

What does this mean?  I nearly fell off my chair when my friend, upon enquiring why a certain friend and her child's father broke up she blurted out "her aunt didnt like him, she thought Mabel (not the real name) was too good for John (not his real name) and she used to say - heh, Mabel a mek payvement fi monkey skip"!  Mabel was a hard working woman, working two jobs, John was somewhat of a playboy, so the aunt thought Mabel was working so hard to make life easy for John. 

That was the very first time I was hearing this proverb, I had to ask my friend to repeat it sevaral times - and of course, I couldnt stop laughing.  How these old folks come up with some of these proverbs is beyond my imagination!

Enjoy, and remember, dont do all the work by yourself, it will be appreciated more when those you are working for have skin in the game.

Blessings,

MissSam
March 8, 2014

TROUBLE DEH A BUSH, ANAASI BRING IT COME A YAAD

Memories of Spring

"Trouble deh a bush, anaasi bring it come a yaad"

Translation:  trouble is in the bush, anansi bring it come home.

What does this mean?  I was visiting with a dear friend and she was telling me about her efforts to reconnect with a close childhood frind who happens to be her cousin.  She hasnt seen this cousin in over 30 years and wondered how she would feel if he didnt make the effort to communicate with her even though a direct message was relayed.  Then she said, you know, I have thought about it, and I would be ok with it - afterall, who knows what this person's life situation is like now, maybe it would be for the best because "trouble deh a bush, anaasi bring it come a yaad"!  In reality, somethings are better left alone or we inadvertently invite misery into our lives.  I thank my friend for this one.

Application:  Another example would be to offer to do a favour for someone and this favour end up costing you money and grief.  I had a classic example of that in a work place situation in December.  Lesson learned, and unfortunately it takes the humanity out of some situations because you not only learn think twice, but also count the cost instead of just responding to a need or an opportunity to be helpful and considerate!

By the way, for those who dont know, Anansi stories is a big part of Jamaican Folklore.

As we say in Jamaica, keep on chucking,

MissSam
February 5, 2014

WAH NUH DEAD NUH DASH WEH

"Wah nuh dead, no dash weh"

Translation:  What is not dead, dont throw it away.

What does this mean:  Another way of saying where there is life there is hope.  There is always hope.  I was reading this article, and the story touched my heart.  So many times we are quick to pass judgement and declare someone or something hopeless.

Application:  The story speaks for it self!  Google the story and read about this amazing transformation.  There is also an article about +Orlando Franklin in the Jamaica Gleaner.

Just an anecdote:  In 1981 I was working in an office building at Yonge & Sheppard.  One of the offices on our floor put on a plant that was almost dead.  The plant makes a lovely house or office plant.  I broke off the top which was still good, took it home and planted.  I had that plant up until 2008 when I had to give it away as I was moving from a house to an apartment and did not have room for it.

Walk good, and remember, it it nuh dead nuh dash it way!

MissSam
February 5, 2014 

IF YU NUH STEP PAN HANS YU NUH KNOA WAH INNA IM BELLY



Going Deep For The Nectar

"If yu nuh step pan hans yu nuh knoa wah inna im belly."


Translation:  If you dont step on an ant, you wont know what's in it's belly.

What does this mean?  You wont truly know what's inside an individual, how they feel about an issue until something comes up that triggers a reaction.  I had a live example this morning, and it was amazing to listen and observe how this individual reacted to something and how they displayed their belief system on the issues discussed without even knowing what's happening.

Application:  (when & how to use this proverb).  Let's say you are having a discussion with an individual who always maintained that they have forgiven someone with whom they held a grudge or bitterness, anger and or contempt.  A topic comes up where reference is made to that individual's behaviour from 20 years ago, and you, the listener said, "well, that's a long time ago, he or she is an adult now, is in a good career with responsibilities so you cant look at him or her the same way", the other party in the conversation freaks out  - and all hell break loose!  This is when you say - man, if yu nuh step pan hans yu nuh knoa wah inna im belly.  

It's been a while since I published a post, I didnt abondon my blog, just took a break - I'm back!

Enjoy,

Miss Sam
Jan 21, 2014

WATCH PAT KAA BWILE




Soup's on, who is hungry?



Jamaican style chicken soup - no those are
not lips, it is a real Jamaican Scotch Bonnet pepper!

"Watch pat kaa bwile."

Translation:  Watch pot cannot boil.

What does this mean?  When you "watch" the pot it seems to take longer to come to a boil, particularly true when you are boiling something that takes long to get tender, like the beef  for the Jamaican beef soup.

Application:  This proverb is about patience!  Everythings has it's time frame.  It will be done when is done, do not be anxious.  "I cant wait for this to happen, or that to happen".  "Life will be good when this or that happens."  Enjoy the process and be patient.  The time passes whether you are anxious or not.  Anxiousness produces unnecessary stress so why not learn to go with the flow!

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon,

MissSam
November 17, 2013