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‘Listen to your children’ – Dwayne J. Strawn

-MALE Mentor & Keynote Speaker @ awards ceremony advised parents to listen to children as communication is two-way
Parents must listen to their children as communication is two way, said keynote speaker Dwayne J. Strawn at the Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE) first anniversary award ceremony held yesterday April 25, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola. Photo: VINO
The boys of MALE, varying in ages, at the event yesterday at the Save the Seed Energy Centre. Photo: VINO
The boys of MALE, varying in ages, at the event yesterday at the Save the Seed Energy Centre. Photo: VINO
Former 5th District Representative Mr Elvis 'Juggy' Harrigan (left) and Paul A. Hewlett, aka 'Paul on the Ball' were among those in attendance at yesterday's award ceremony. Photo: VINO
Former 5th District Representative Mr Elvis 'Juggy' Harrigan (left) and Paul A. Hewlett, aka 'Paul on the Ball' were among those in attendance at yesterday's award ceremony. Photo: VINO
Some of the parents out in support of their children. Photo: VINO
Some of the parents out in support of their children. Photo: VINO
Another section of the crowd at the ceremony yesterday. Photo: VINO
Another section of the crowd at the ceremony yesterday. Photo: VINO
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA assists in the presentation of awards at the Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE) first anniversary award ceremony on April 25, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA assists in the presentation of awards at the Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE) first anniversary award ceremony on April 25, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Parents must listen to their children as communication is two way, said keynote speaker Dwayne J. Strawn at the Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE) first anniversary award ceremony held yesterday April 25, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola.

“Communication is very important, not just talking to, or talking at, but talking with. You can’t communicate if you don’t listen as communication involves sending a message and receiving a response to know if the message that you sent got to the person it was intended for in the way that you intended,” said Strawn, who hails from Virgin Gorda.

“So you have to listen to your children as well. You have to hear what they say and what they don’t say. You have to listen to your ears and with your hearts,” he said.

Make time for your children

Further, he stressed that parents should always make time for their children, saying that this is something that he learned from his own father.

"No matter what I'm doing I'm never too busy for my children. I learned that from my father. He would tell his secretary ‘whenever they call you put the call through. Let me tell them I’m busy," he said.

"So I would tell you anytime you have challenges with your boys you could call any of us," he said.

"This programme must succeed, not just for you...this programme has to succeed for the entire future generation of the British Virgin Islands," said Strawn.

Failure is not an option

"If you succeed and we could plant that seed we could bear a lot more fruit," he said, noting that failure is not an option.

“It is up to you to do your part. Communicate to us. Tell us what you need from us so that we could be better parents to you guys, to be better mentors. Tell us what you need to help you prepare for the future that you want.”

According to Strawn, the world’s definition of success might be how much money one makes, how many degrees one has or the car one drives. But to him success goes beyond those things. “There are a lot of people who make a lot of money and are unhappy and that is not my idea of success,” he said.

“Whatever you want to do, whatever you think you can become, you can be,” he said, adding that the mind is like a fertile field and whatever you plant it will grow abundantly. “If you plant grass it will grow. But why plant grass on a field if you can’t use grass?” he asked.

Watch what you say and think

“Solomon said as a man thinketh so is he. You become what you think about,” he said. “If you think about basketball whole day then you can become a great basketball player. If you think about becoming a mathematician or an accountant and you think about numbers then you will become one. But be warned, if you also think about nothing, you will become that too,” he said.

“Your life is at the mercy of your mouth. Watch what you say. Your life is at the mercy of your mind. Watch what you think. Don’t let anybody tell you what you cannot do or achieve something that you want to do,” he said.

Mr Strawn said that at some point in the future the children today are going to be the leaders, “whether or not you like it, whether or not you are prepared.”

MALE marked its first anniversary yesterday and distributed a number of awards to various members and staff as they continue to encourage the public to get on board and support them in their efforts.

11 Responses to “‘Listen to your children’ – Dwayne J. Strawn ”

  • save the seed (26/04/2015, 09:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    very good programme
    • NLBC (26/04/2015, 11:51) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      NDP is no way around to help support our youths just more lip service
      • @NLBC (26/04/2015, 14:06) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
        I guess you going to say you did not see Hon. Maduro-Caines there and that she sponsored all the refreshments..Well i was there and I saw he most present..
      • ha (26/04/2015, 15:43) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
        NDP busy running the country. Fraser has time to pretend. Where Juggy come from all of a sudden? The lady with the bag need to put some rock stone in it and swing it once, only one hit to take out Juggy. That's exactly what will happenon election day.

        If you looking for NDP check them at the cruise pier Wednesday for the big mashup, HISTORIC DAY when the big ship dock at our new expanded pier. Come witness history at the pier, hear from our progressive Government and afterwards, party the night away to the sound of Razor Blades and VIBE.
        • @ ha (26/04/2015, 16:20) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
          There is not one man not for the ports project another project started and expanded by the VIP.

          What got the people piss off is the blatant corruption and kickbacks….so VIP will be there in numbers to celebrate our foundation….and we will get in on July 6 and 7 we will do the governor’s work for him.

          BAM BAM we still going Green; red is danger-, corruption, victimization and having the UK take over the BVI

          sign: range rover and new house
  • one eye (26/04/2015, 11:51) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    i see our new Premier in the phtoto along with the new Minister for Communcations and Works
  • ooooo (26/04/2015, 12:26) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    while others are out on the outer islands wineing and dineing, the VIP's leader is with the youth
  • bvi (26/04/2015, 16:22) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    VIP is the only ones who really cares about our young people....


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