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Taking a break from alcohol, even for just a month, can offer a variety of health and lifestyle benefits. Whether it is part of a detox plan, a personal challenge, or simply an attempt to reset, the results can be surprisingly positive. Here’s why going alcohol-free for 30 days is worth considering:

1. Improved Sleep Quality

Alcohol disrupts the body’s sleep cycle, affecting REM sleep and often leading to restlessness. After a few alcohol-free nights, you’ll likely notice that your sleep becomes deeper and more restorative. This can lead to feeling more refreshed in the mornings and improve overall daytime energy.

2. Enhanced Mental Clarity and Focus

Cutting out alcohol helps clear brain fog, allowing for sharper focus and better memory retention. Without the sluggishness caused by even moderate drinking, you may find yourself more productive and alert at work, home, or school.

3. Better Hydration and Glowing Skin

Alcohol dehydrates the body, often leaving skin looking dull or causing breakouts. A month without it can lead to improved hydration levels, giving your skin a natural glow. You might also see a reduction in puffiness and dark circles under your eyes.

4. Weight Loss and Better Metabolism

Alcohol is packed with empty calories, which can lead to weight gain over time. Giving it up for a month eliminates these unnecessary calories and reduces sugar intake, leading to potential weight loss. Additionally, alcohol impacts metabolism, so without it, your body may burn fat more efficiently.

5. Reduced Anxiety and Better Mood

Though people sometimes turn to alcohol to relax, it can actually worsen anxiety over time. Going alcohol-free can help stabilize your mood, reduce irritability, and lessen feelings of anxiety or depression. The mental clarity gained can also improve your sense of well-being.

6. Liver Health and Detoxification

Even small amounts of alcohol strain the liver. A month-long break gives this vital organ a chance to recover and regenerate. Over time, liver enzymes return to healthier levels, allowing the liver to more effectively filter toxins from your body.

7. Strengthened Immune System

Alcohol can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Cutting it out helps your body maintain a strong defense against infections and viruses, which is especially important during flu season.

8. Financial Savings

A surprising benefit of giving up alcohol is how much money you’ll save. Whether it’s that glass of wine with dinner, a round at the bar, or a weekend cocktail, these costs add up. Over a month, you might be surprised at how much you can save by going alcohol-free.

9. A Renewed Relationship with Alcohol

Taking a month off can help reset your relationship with alcohol. You may realize you don’t need it to socialize, unwind, or have fun. After the month is over, many people find they drink less often or in smaller amounts, developing healthier habits long term.

10. Sense of Accomplishment

Completing a month without alcohol is a personal achievement. It can boost your self-confidence, proving that you can commit to positive changes and stick with them. This sense of accomplishment often carries over into other aspects of life, encouraging further healthy choices.

Conclusion

Whether it’s improved sleep, better mood, or the sense of control over your habits, the benefits of giving up alcohol for a month are clear. It’s a simple commitment that can lead to lasting improvements in physical, mental, and emotional health. So why not give it a try? You may find that a temporary break leads to long-term positive changes.

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When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait for Christmas morning to see what gifts were waiting for me under the tree. To this day, I still look back at pictures of little me, and can’t help but smile when I see that gleam in my eyes. Now, that I’m older, I find myself looking to my children for their sense of wonder and excitement. But what if, we could carry the joy of Christmas and gift-giving throughout the year? What if instead of giving gifts to others, we give gifts to ourselves but not in a selfish way? What if the gifts we give are intangible, yet truly meaningful gifts, that have the power to transform us from the inside out? Well, wonder no more. This year we’ll do something different, and we don’t even have to wait until Christmas. Let’s give ourselves gifts that keep on giving, starting right now. Are you ready? Here goes!

1. The Gift of Connecting with Nature:

Spend time outdoors, connecting with nature to rejuvenate and find peace. With generally good weather year-round, we have every reason to get outside and enjoy all the BVI has to offer. Maybe this year, you’ll go on more beach outings or finally join that hiking crew you’ve been seeing on Facebook. Whatever you choose, I’m sure more time outdoors will be good for your soul.

2. The Gift of Learning and Growth:

Cultivate a thirst for knowledge, whether through books, courses, or experiences, to stimulate personal growth. Is there something you always wanted to learn? Nowadays with so many options available to us online, it’s easier than ever to learn new skills or start a new hobby. Begin by doing a little research and you might even find courses that you can do for free. In 2024, there really is no excuse for not developing yourself, so take the bull by the horns and get started.

3. The Gift of Gratitude:

Gratitude comes from the Latin word ‘gratia’, meaning grace, graciousness or gratefulness. It is a thankful appreciation for what one receives, whether tangible or intangible. Believe it or not, gratitude is linked to happiness. According to a 2021 Harvard Medical School article, “Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” (Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier, 2021) So, if you’re hoping for more happiness in 2024, gratitude is the way to go. Start by dedicating time to reflect on things you’re grateful for each day. Also consider simple acts such as praying, counting your blessings, or keeping a gratitude journal. Even thanking someone mentally counts as well.

4. The Gift of Self-Compassion:

For many driven and goal-oriented individuals, it’s easy and maybe even natural, to be hard on themselves. This year, however, it’s time to try something new. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, embrace imperfections, and celebrate self-growth.

5. The Gift of Mindfulness:

Incorporate mindfulness into your daily life through meditation, silence, deep breathing, or simply being present in the moment. This simple gift will help you slow down and appreciate life more.

6. The Gift of Cultivating Relationships:

Nourish and invest time in relationships that bring positivity and support into your life. Perhaps you already have these types of relationships, if so, you’ll want to nurture them. If not, seek them out. You can start by connecting with people with similar goals or interests. Consider joining a book club, the local Toastmasters, or commit to the regular game night in town. Find new ways to connect with new people and you just might be surprised by the friendships you develop.

7. The Gift of Boundaries:

Learn to set healthy boundaries to protect your well-being and maintain balance in your life. Do you have friends who are constantly draining your energy? Adult children, who continually sponge off mom or dad? Perhaps this is the year to draw the line of loving boundaries. Instead of feeling guilty, consider that boundaries are there to protect both you and the other party, so look at it as a gift for you and them.

8. The Gift of Forgiveness:

If there’s one thing that will hold you back more than anything else, it’s a lack of forgiveness. I’m sure you’ve heard it said that forgiveness isn’t for the other person, it’s for you. That saying is so true. Unforgiveness is like a burden no one wants to carry, yet very few choose to let go. Let this be the year you decide to let go of grudges and practice forgiveness, freeing yourself from the heaviness of negative emotions and old hurts. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how freeing it is to let go and leave that stuff in the past.

9. The Gift of Healthy Habits:

Prioritize your physical health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep. Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger, but if you ever wanted to beat the clock, taking care of yourself is the way to do it. Even if you can’t buy yourself more time, you’ll probably experience more energy than you had before, and that’s almost like getting a new lease on life. It won’t happen overnight but taking care of your body is worth it.

10. The Gift of Volunteer Work:

One of the best ways to find fulfilment is by giving to others and what better way to do that than by giving back to your community? Engage in volunteering or community service to contribute positively to society and foster a sense of purpose. Those you serve will benefit from your service and so will you. It’s a true win-win situation.

11. The Gift of Presence:

Few things are worse than distracted living, yet in this modern age, it’s so easy to fall into that trap. Counteract this by being fully present in each moment, savouring experiences and relationships without distractions. When in conversation with someone, put away your phone. Simple little practices like that can make a big difference.

12. The Gift of Celebration

Avoid the temptation of running from one achievement to the next. Taking time to acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest victories and achievements, will foster a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Of all the gifts mentioned above, which gift are you most excited to give yourself? Start there this month. Then each month choose another gift to unpack. That way, you’ll keep on giving throughout the year and your best self will thank you.

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If the statistics are correct, by now you’ve already fallen off the wagon when it comes to your goals. Trust me, you’re not alone. Every year, more than 90% of people give up on their goals and New Year’s resolutions by February. But if you’re reading this, that doesn’t have to be you.
Even if you’ve gotten discouraged, distracted or demotivated, today we’re picking up those goals, dusting them off and setting our eyes on the finish line. Here are 12 tips to help you stick with, and ultimately, achieve your goals this year.

1. Make plans but hold them loosely

This might sound counterintuitive, but I promise you it isn’t. One of the biggest reasons we give up on our goals is because we get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. We believe that “life” somehow got in the way and threw us off track, but the Bible reminds us that God is in control.
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
While we might have a good idea of what we want to accomplish this year, God’s plans are always best. Be willing to accept (even embrace) the detours that come and see them as God’s way of training and grooming you for bigger and better things. If your goal is worth having, it’s also worth pursuing, so don’t give up too quickly. Pray through any ‘distractions’ that come up and keep moving forward unless God says otherwise.

2. Choose a Word for the Year

In addition to goals, I also choose a word for the year. This one word becomes my theme for the year and gives me a framework on which to hang my goals. For example, if my word for the year is “seek,” I think of how that word “seek” can influence the various areas of my life. In what ways do I want to “seek” in my marriage, career, social life and so on? My word for the year helps me focus on not just things I want to do, but more on the person I want to become and that’s a great way to focus on lasting change.

3. Keep it balanced

As I alluded to in the previous point, my goals are not limited to one area of my life. You are more than just your job. You are more than a mom. You are more than a number on the scale. Your goals should reflect the complete person you are, so seek to balance your goals rather than focusing on just one area of your life. If you pour all your time and enjoyment into just one or two areas, you’ll find that other areas start to suffer. As a starting point, consider these seven (7) areas for setting your goals:

• Spiritual life
• Marriage
• Family
• Social life
• Business/career
• Finances
• Health & wellness
• Community spirit

4. Write your goals

Once you have an idea of what you want your goals to be, it’s time to get those goals out of your head because written goals are more likely to be accomplished. When we write our goals, we start to commit to them and increase the chances of achieving them. You can type your goals but handwritten goals are even better as our brains start to connect with our head and hands, making the connection even stronger. Guess what I’ll be doing? Writing my goals down!

5. Tell someone

In addition to writing down your goals, another great way to stick with them is to tell someone else. Whether it’s because we want to keep our word, or would rather avoid the embarrassment of failure, sharing our goals with someone else is a great motivator. Of course, you’ll want to share your goals with someone you trust, someone I call a dream defender who will encourage you along the way – which brings me to the next point.

6. Choose an accountability partner

Another big reason why goals fall apart is due to the lack of accountability. Now, when I use the word accountability, I’m not talking about having someone holding a big stick ready to beat you up if you fall. Accountability is more like having a cheerleader – someone who will cheer you on and encourage you on your journey, especially when you’re losing steam. Give some careful thought as to who can fill that role and ask if they’re willing to help you stick with your goals. It may also mean that you have multiple persons holding you accountable based on the various goals you have. The person keeping you on track with your health goals might be different from your accountability partner for your career, and so on.

7. Get a coach

Having a coach is a fantastic way to get clear on your goals and stick with the things you said you will do. A coach will help you identify where you’re going, how you’re going to get there, and overcome the roadblocks along the way. Coaching could be one-to-one (just you and the coach) or in a group setting where you benefit from your own transformation as well as that of others. (For more about coaching visit: marvasmith.com/coaching/) And like accountability partners, you can find a coach to help you with different areas of your life, depending on your specific goals.

8. Create a Vision Board

Think of a vision board as a visual road map of where you want to be. It’s often a collage of words, images, or a combination of the two, that is used as a visualization tool to help you achieve your goals. Vision boards can be created for your overall life goals or just one area of your life. This is a powerful motivator as it gives you a mental image of your desired life and inspires you to keep moving forward to achieve it.

9. Keep your goals in front of you

The saying out of sight out of mind is true, even when it comes to goals. Whether it’s your vision board or a typed or handwritten list of your goals, keeping your goals literally in front of you is one more way to improve your chances of achieving them. Imagine the simplicity of a typed list of your goals framed and sitting on your desk. Or your vision board displayed on your bedroom wall. Having your goals prominently displayed where you can see them regularly makes it pretty hard to forget about them.

10. Make it a date

Goals are not a ‘set it and forget it’ type of thing, so waiting until the end of the year to review them isn’t the best idea. Instead, plan for monthly or quarterly reviews. These are times when you will check-in and see how you’re doing with your goals. I encourage you to pull out your calendar or your calendar app right now and make an appointment with yourself. All the better if you can make it a fun time that you look forward to every month, maybe over a nice latte or glass of wine – whichever one you prefer. Just make it a date with yourself that you won’t break, because after all, your goals and dreams are worth it.

11. Pivot, pause or pack it up

As you review your goals, you may find that some of them may or may not be relevant or doable. Maybe the time isn’t right. Whatever the reason might be, you might find it necessary to make adjustments along the way. Before packing it in altogether, find ways to pivot instead. Perhaps now is not the time to pay down your debt if a medical emergency has come up, but I’ll bet it’s still a goal worth pursuing. You can choose to make changes such as adjusting the timeline for your goal (does it need to move to next year?) or adjusting your expectations, but also be wise. Saying goodbye to a goal isn’t always such a bad idea. If you’re not sure what to do, pray about it and seek advice from your coach or accountability partner before making any snap decisions. Don’t allow yourself to stay stuck for too long. And once you’ve decided, choose to be at peace with it so you can move forward without guilt or regret.

12. Celebrate your wins

For the final tip, I encourage you to celebrate your wins, big and small. Don’t wait until you’ve lost all 50 pounds. Celebrate every five. You might not have passed the exam yet, but the fact that you took the step to pay the registration fee is a big commitment worth celebrating. Celebrating your wins could be as simple as sharing the good news with a friend or as big as going on a much-needed vacation after a big project. The key is to recognize your efforts and allow the little and big wins to inspire you.

Now that you have all the tips, which one will you choose to make this your winning year? Start with one tip and go from there. Then another and another. And before you know it, those little wins will snowball, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals. Go ahead and email me at marvatsmith@gmail.com to let me know how it goes so that I can celebrate with you. Let’s beat the odds and crush our 2020 goals together!

Marva Titley-Smith, Strategic Planner & Certified Life Coach
Marva is a work and life strategist with a passion for helping women thrive in all areas of life. She’s the BVI’s first local female architect and former Chief Planner. In 2012, after 26 years in the Public Service, she successfully transitioned careers and founded the management consultancy firm MatrixSpark specializing in strategic management, training and coaching. Seven years later she became certified as a life breakthrough coach to address the growing work-life balance struggles facing women. She continues to welcome reinvention and is always on the lookout for what God is doing next.
You can find her writing about work-life balance and intentional living on her website www.MarvaSmith.com.

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Bring the relaxing, airy feeling of vacation summertime into your home with a few décor tips and tweaks that won’t require a complete home makeover. With ideas for seasonal accents and easy updates, these summer decorating ideas will give your home a refreshing look you’ll love.

Choose a spa escape theme

Setting a theme will get you excited about creating an atmosphere of bliss, and you’ll stay motivated to keep your place tidy. Choose a theme that best suits your personality or the type of energy you want to experience this summer. Here are a few ideas:

• Boho Chic
• Health spa retreat
• Tropical fun beach resort
• Cosy cabin getaway

Move around your furniture

Moving your furniture around helps get your home ready for summer. Think about how your family lives during the summer; how do they spend their time in the house? What do you want to encourage? Then reposition your furniture accordingly. You can put some comfy beanbags by your bookshelves to encourage reading. You can also ditch the formal place settings at the dining table and eat at the bar; this allows you to use your dining table for summer crafting with the kids.

Swap out your throw pillows

One easy summer trick is to switch out your throw pillows for lighter and brighter colors that complement your theme. Just as you swap out your wardrobe for every season, you can easily do the same for your pillows. Store away the winter/autumn pillows in a storage bin, and bring out all your fun summer pillows for a vibrant, refreshing touch.

Light up the summer scents

Another great idea for the summer months is to incorporate summer scents around your home. You can switch out candles, room spray, hand soaps, and even body washes. Try fresh scents such as coconut, lemon, cucumber, or lavender.

Create a relaxing place to sleep

Summer is also a great time to switch out your bed linens and draperies. You can simply swap out your current linens to a lighter or brighter colour or choose sheets and pillowcases in a different fabric such as linen. Don’t be afraid to go bold. A bouquet of flowers can also create that vibrant summer feel your room needs.

Transform your bathroom

Think Zen! Use smart storage to remove clutter and add some tranquil plants. Incorporate your theme with beach tokens by adding starfish and seashells in a glass container filled with sand, or design a nautical feel by hanging an oversized ship rudder and a painting of the ocean.

Add spa amenities

A serene atmosphere is one of the best parts about staying at a resort, and trips to the spa can be really pricey. So why not create the same experience in your own home? Here are some more great design tricks and amenities to go with your theme.

Fill a basket with scented lotions, exfoliating body scrub, soaps, and bath oils. Don’t forget to set a candle and some essential oil for the bath. Stocking extra towels and using your favorite bathrobe will also do the trick.

Spruce up your outdoor space

If you’ve been wondering what to do to spruce up your outdoor space, this summer is the perfect time to give it a new look. Find some great outdoor pillows you can use around your patio, put up some string lights and add a comfy pouf. Turn your porch or patio into a little oasis that you and your family will be excited to lounge on this summer.

Hanging a hammock or a swing chair is another great idea. Nothing says summer like an outdoor afternoon snooze. A backyard hammock lets you rock at your leisure while catching up on your favorite reading novels or some much-deserved shut-eye.

Let in the sunshine and bring the outside in

Pull back the curtains, throw open those windows, and let the warm rays of the sun stream through your home. You’ll enjoy the awakening streaks of sunlight and the touches of a cool breeze. Change out your curtains to a sheer or lighter fabric (or removing them altogether, if you can) to help create the feel of summer in your home.  Small touches, without spending a dime, can make a huge impact.

Up your green game, bring some new plants into your home, or create your own mini indoor herb garden.

Bring on the fun!

Staying indoors this summer? Have a box filled with games ready to go. My personal favourites are Jenga, Pictionary, Twister, puzzles, and a deck of cards. Create a summer playlist of your favourite tracks and invite your family and friends over.

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The bright yellow, herbaceous perennial known as turmeric, originally from South India, has America enamoured with its oft-trumpeted health benefits. Lately, it’s been hailed for its ability to prevent anything from the common cold to cancer. Harvested mainly for its rhizomes, or roots, turmeric is closely related to ginger, another herbal powerhouse for health.

You can find turmeric in the spice aisle at your local grocer, or in the supplement section at your local pharmacy. But the best way to reap the long-term benefits of this “farm-ecological” miracle herb (unless you’re directed by a medical professional to take a medicinal dose) is to consume it every day in foods or teas.

The qualities of turmeric, in Ayurvedic terms, are hot, light, and dry, and it has a bitter taste. It’s an anti-inflammatory, a blood tonic, an emmenagogue (stimulates blood flow), and a carminative (relieves gas). It promotes ovulation in women, is great for the skin, and is antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial. It’s also a blood thinner and blood detoxifier and will aid in eliminating worms or parasites. In addition, it’s a pain-killer that also speeds up the healing of wounds. Turmeric has been shown to help in recovery from chemotherapy; may help prevent specific types of cancer; and can ease the effects of psoriasis and arthritis.

Go ahead, jump on the turmeric train! Here are 10 creative ways to incorporate turmeric into your daily diet.

1. Golden Milk. 

Bring to a boil 2 cups of milk or unsweetened almond milk with 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric and 1 teaspoon powdered ginger. Turn off heat, let cool for a few minutes, and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey. If you’re drinking it before bed, add ½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom to the mixture to promote a good night’s sleep. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of ghee or good-quality coconut oil.

2. Cold Buster. 

Mix one part powdered turmeric to three parts raw honey. When you feel a cold coming on, eat a teaspoon of the mixture every two hours to boost immunity and lower inflammation.

3. Soup It Up.

Add a tablespoon of powdered turmeric to your vegetable soup along with lots of fresh oregano, to kill any infections or viruses that may be hanging on in your body.

4. Cashew Banana Turmeric Muffins

• 2 cups organic, sprouted wheat flour
• 1 cup chopped cashews
• 3 mashed ripe bananas
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon each cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and salt

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Slowly mix wet ingredients into dry, and pour into lined muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Cashew Energy Bars

• 1 cup cashews
• 2½ cups pitted dates
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon each vanilla extract, turmeric, cinnamon, and powdered ginger

Combine ingredients in food processor and pulse until mixture reaches a chunky but pliable consistency (you may need to add a bit of water). Remove and shape into balls, then roll in shredded coconut. Refrigerate and enjoy as a treat.

6. Mellow Yellow.

Sprinkle turmeric into your scrambled eggs. The taste is mild and the eggs are already yellow, so it will go undetected if you are trying to get kids to eat it.

7. Shake It Up.

Put equal parts turmeric, coriander, and cumin in a saltshaker on your table, and sprinkle it on everything!

8. Turmeric For Brunch.

Add a pinch each of turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom to your pancake batter for a spicy, healthy kick.

9. Smoothie Smarts.

Add turmeric to your favourite smoothie. A teaspoon will be beneficial without changing the taste of your beverage too much.

10. Turmeric Tea.

Dissolve 2 teaspoons powdered turmeric in 2 cups boiling water, and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey, the juice of a lemon wedge, and a sprinkle of black pepper.

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Once upon a time, for over two hundred years, when persons entered through those red impressive metal gates of Her Majesty’s Prison on Main Street, it meant two things: imprisonment or execution. These days, the only guards there will be are the tour guides who will eagerly give you a firsthand look at the penal facility that housed those who fell on the other side of the law as recent as 2007.
It was in the early 1990s when the decision was taken to construct a new facility in Balsams Ghut, located on the eastern side of Tortola. Then on the 20th of May 1997, Her Majesty’s Prison was emptied of its prisoners and the doors shut for what was believed to be the last time, only to be reopened again to house female prisoners due to the rise in crime and overcrowding at the new facility, until 2007 when the facility was shut once more and abandoned.
In a brief ceremony on the 6th of December, 2016, along with the Premier and Minister for Tourism, Dr. D. Orlando Smith and other stakeholders, the Her Majesty’s Prison Museum was opened to the public for educational tours and a trip down memory lane.
According to background information courtesy the Department of Information and Public Relations, The HMPM is said to be among the oldest made for public use in the British Virgin Islands, which also housed the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, immigration, vehicle and licensing center and customs departments.
The refurbishment of the HM Prison to a museum started in 2014 following the submission of a comprehensive plan submitted by the late Captain Hugh Whistler, who also served as the project manager and oversaw significant renovation and repair work, as well as the installation of interpretation information. The completion of the works was a collaborative effort of the Minister of Communications and Works and Representative for the Fourth District, Honourable Mark Vanterpool; the Ministry of Communications and Works; the Office of the City Manager; the BVI Tourist Board, the historians of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and other stakeholders.
The museum will be open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visits on weekends and other times can be arranged. One-hour guided tours will be offered three times a day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. At other times, visitors can do a self-guided tour of the museum.
The entrance fee will be $5 for all non-residents, $3 for residents, will be charged, and children under five years old will have free access.
The HMPM building houses over ten old cells ranging from various sizes and can accommodate up to 14 inmates at one time, including five segregation, one execution and five other cells, a military history, shower block, exercise yard and prison history area, is latest addition to the BVI’s historical sites.
Some $275,000 was already pumped into the ongoing project and another $200,000 will be needed to bring it up to scratch and open up the kitchen, café, dining area, and the administrative section among others, in the New Year. A gift shop, snack bar, more interpretation panels and creating a more interactive experience through audio-visual aids, are also on the cards.
Premier and Tourism Minister Dr. D. Orlando Smith sees the opening of the old prison museum as a preservation, enhancement, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the territory.

“Her Majesty’s Prison Museum is an important tool towards achieving this goal and it will help in teaching our people about our history and from whence we came,” he said.

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Compiled below are 20 some ways to make your partner feel like they are only one in your world!

Meet Marcus. Marcus is a video game ‘nut’. He is the kind of guy who would be engrossed in a video game for hours, sometimes isolating his wife of two years and their one-year-old son.

One day, his wife Sarah was feeling slightly under the weather and wanted an extra dose of tender loving care. Eying him at his usual spot, she slid in the seat next to him on the couch and gently touched him on his arm and posed a question that she had been playing around in her mind for some time now: “Do you love me more than the game?”

Baffled, Marcus considered the question and finally responded, “Play Station or XBOX?”

While most men would never make a slip-up of that extent, they too often miss the opportunity to affirm that woman in their life! Relationships are not games, nor are they a place for verbal jabs or cynical put-downs. And while this would be a nice dig among the boys, your lover will not be amused.
What does Marcus’s lover/ wife, your wife, and all women need? Affirmation. Lots of it. Soft, tender, thoughtful, unexpected, meaningful, heartfelt affirmation. Such is the same for Marcus and other men.

Here are twenty ways to cherish your partner that does not involve sexual intercourse:

1. Hug and kiss every morning when you awake and before leaving the house. Research shows that relationships that practice this simple discipline are much healthier than those that don’t.
2. Link hands for a few moments during a drive even for a few moments. Allow your fingers to be intertwined.
3. Love notes are pretty cool as well as thoughtful, so go ahead, scribble some heartfelt words to your lover, on the bathroom mirror, in socks, breakfast tray, etc.
4. Ring their phone line during work and say, “I’ve been thinking of how honored I am to have you in my life.”
5. Go to bed at the same time every day for a week; just have some deep heart to heart conversation, read a book or play a game that you played which you both enjoyed during your early days as a couple.
6. Comb each other’s hair and give out compliments.
7. Try your hand at making breakfast on the weekends and give your partner a break to sleep in longer.
8. Take his/her car to the gas station, fill the tank, vacuum the floor mats, and clean the windows. When you park it at the house, leave a note on the dashboard with just a heart and the words, “Thinking of you.”
9. Write a short but sweet love letter, listing several ways that he/she has blessed you this year.
10. Put down the phone or turn off the computer, and say, “Why don’t we go for a walk and talk? I’d love to hear about your day.”
11. Initiate daily prayer. This one spiritual discipline has transformed millions of relationships. Make a commitment, and then begin to pray together every day. Begin by giving thanks for each other and your family, then pray about your worries and challenges.
12. Say, “Thank you,” after every meal served. Then assist with clearing the table or offer to do the dishes together.
13. Each day try to say, “I love the way you _______,” and fill in the blank with something you’ve observed.
14. When the alarm goes off in the morning, wrap your arm around each other and cuddle for several minutes. When you leave, say, “I wish I didn’t have to go.”
15. When you are together in a crowd, find a way to brag about each other’s qualities.
16. The morning after making love, touch each other tenderly and say genuinely how wonderful every experience was.
17. Grow a garden of your favorite flowers or vegetables together and watch them blossom!
18. Gentlemen, while she studies her face in the mirror, come up behind her and gently kiss the back of her neck, saying something cute like, “God broke the mold after He made you. You are one of a kind beauty.”
19. Resurrect common courtesies such as opening the car door for her as you did when you dated, pull out her chair for her at the dinner table, offer your arm while walking down stairs, and help her put her coat on.
20. If she’s doing the laundry, pull yourself away from whatever you’re doing and offer to bring the hamper.

We all need to be cherished and loved, so spread the love and I can guarantee that you will be rewarded, since after all, happy wife/husband, happy life! Agreed? You’ll never know unless you try, right?