BUSINESS & LIFE: An ode of thanks

Dr. Valda Henry
Dr. Valda Henry

This week, coming on the heel of another successful Phenomenal Caribbean Women Symposium held on January 25, 2014, I give thanks! Every year, we promise that the Symposium is going to be bigger and better and every year, by God’s Grace, it is. The 5th Phenomenal Caribbean Women Symposium was a resounding success, despite a few minor glitches. In the words of one of the participants, “it was a spiritual, interactive, empowering fellowship day.”

I give thanks for life. I am so thankful that I am present in this moment. I am thankful for my gifts and talents and the opportunities to use them. In the words of one of the song sang by Fr. Sharplis and his Praise Team, I am thankful for the opportunity to empty myself so that God can use me to do His work. I give thanks.

I am thankful for my family, the wind beneath my wings and who is responsible for much of who I am. Their unconditional love, support and encouragement and my father’s constant reminder that I could be anything and go anywhere I wanted to go and the only limitation are the ones I placed on myself. I give thanks.

I give thanks for my little Nathan Obassi Kenrick Elkin Henry, my bundle of love, joy and energy. It is such an honour and privilege to watch this little person grow and become! My best gift who I must guide to fulfill his God-given purpose and return back to God worthy. I give thanks.

I give thanks for my friends, the family I have chosen for myself. There are some friends I see and speak to daily, some weekly, some periodically and some rarely however, the love, support and encouragement are ever-present. I give thanks.

I give thanks for my detractors for the nuggets of wisdom they sometimes provide. I give thanks.

I give thanks for VF Inc and my staff, past and present. My staff, too, is my family I have chosen. We are a team working together with a shared vision and mission. I thank them for their love, support and loyalty. I give thanks.

I give thanks for all of VF Inc.’s clients. They are the reason we exist and grow. We are here to serve and be of service to them. I give thanks.

I give thanks for VF Inc.’s strategic partners, collaborators, business associates and bankers. They facilitate our work and enable us to spread our wings even wider. I give thanks.

I give thanks for all my mentors and for the many angels God has sent to guide and help me on my life’s journey. They have prepared me, provided opportunities and played key roles in me recognizing and working at fulfilling my God-Given purpose.

In respect to Phenomenal Caribbean Women Symposium VF Inc.’ most recent success, I thank the Bureau of Gender Affairs and by extension the Ministry of Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs and the Government of Dominica. I give thanks for the Director and staff of the Bureau, the Permanent Secretary and Minister. I give thanks for all our strategic partners, sponsors, Forestry Division, Dr. Honeychurch and his team at the Cabrits. I give thanks.

I thank our featured speakers, Mrs. Nevae Edwards, Mrs. Olivia Douglas, Ms. Rose Willock and Ms. Rene Mercedes Baptiste, who were so inspirational, so giving and humble for touching our hearts and lives. They shared so much wisdom. They were fantastic! They were phenomenal! They were on fire! I give thanks.

I give, in the words of Nathan, “Big Thanks” to the participants of PCWS 2014, for without you, it could not have happen! You are phenomenal women! You are special and unique! You are children of the universe, with every right to be here and you know it! I thank you for your love, patience and support. I give thanks.

I give thanks for all my Blessings, too numerous to list! My heart is full of love and joy! There is music and dancing in my soul! I am at peace! I love my life! I give thanks!

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! I give God thanks for all He has done in my life, does in my life and will continue to do in my life. In the words of Holy Mary, Mother of God, I say, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me According to His Will.” I give Thanks!

 

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6 Comments

  1. Pat Aaron
    January 29, 2014

    And thank you too Valda.

  2. Anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    Hi Dr. Henry

    How can someone become a member of VFInc? or is there a membership?

  3. Anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    Dr. Henry, Thanks for this breath of fresh air from the hate-filled aggressive, destructive,vengeful epithets which spew from the DNO page on a daily basis.

    The frightening thing is that people really believe that they are doing this in the name of righteousness and truth. May God help us all and this country because the culture that we create today is not going to disappear tomorrow. It’ will merely become a millstone around the necks of those who believe that they will magically remove it when it seems convenient.

    Futuristic

  4. Transparent Dominica
    January 29, 2014

    Dr Henry
    I am going to reiterate what I said before, ‘You are a National Treasure’

    Thanks for being the person you are.

    Your humility, appreciation of others and your many other talents will guide you through your journey.

  5. Sylvester Cadette
    January 29, 2014

    Indeed there is no better way to serve than in giving thanks for the gifts and the opportunity to share. Most of all Praise and thanks to the Almighty.

    I love Phillipians chp4:6-7 (KJV)which states:

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God
    And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

    I call it the Praise cure, the thanksgiving cure.

    I truly started appreciating the thanksgiving aspect after reading a book by Peter R. Augustine “Teache us how to Pray”

    Continue to teach in all aspects Dr. Henry and success to you and your team and to all those you inspire

    • Unknown
      January 29, 2014

      Mr. Cadette you need to get a copy of the Magazine as a comment you wrote has been added to the 5th Phenomenal Caribbean Women Symposium Magazine

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