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As we stand on the threshold of another new year, some look back wistfully at the past year. Most of us would probably say the year has been one of mixed blessings, with some successes interlaced with some failures. For others, it was a year of “what might have been.” There are things we wish we had done differently—things we probably regretted saying and doing. Regardless of where we direct our thoughts, one thing is clear: we cannot go back in time and change anything that was or was not done.

In his reflection on time, American poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) writes, “Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear.” However, centuries before, Isaiah spoke words to the same effect to the nation of Israel: “Thus says the LORD… remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:16a, 18–19, ESV). Reflecting on the past can sometimes lead to a state of complacency. We can become thoroughly satisfied with our successes or mentally and emotionally crippled by our failures. Excessive focus on the past can hinder our ability to move forward promptly and efficiently. The rearview mirror in vehicles is smaller than the windshield for a specific purpose. We occasionally cast a glance behind, but our primary focus is directed forward. While there are important lessons we can and should learn from our experiences, let us not camp out around those experiences. The present and the future are calling us to action.

What are some of the things God wants us to “forget”? Our failures, losses, sorrows, and sufferings; associations and traditions that hindered His working in our lives; the focus on ourselves; past accomplishments that would distract us from giving Him glory, to name a few. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, God stands poised yet again to do new things that shall “spring forth.” If 2023 has been a year of failure and broken dreams, 2024 can be the opposite; if it was successful, there are more victories to be celebrated. We serve an awesome God to whom nothing is impossible (Jeremiah 32:26–27; Matthew 19:26).

Let us take God at His word and start moving beyond the past. Forgetting the former things and looking forward to the “new thing” He will be doing in our hearts and lives. It is my prayer that He surprises you and me in ways far beyond anything we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), and I pray that especially for you and yours for this New Year. He is faithful, as He promised (Hebrews 10:23).

The post WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL – Moving Beyond the Past appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

After yet another successful year, Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has earned her the title of “Jamaican Sports Personality of the Year” for the second consecutive year. This,  through the Best Of Jamaica Survey conducted by Jamaicans.com. For over two decades, this survey has been a platform for Jamaicans worldwide to express their admiration for various aspects of Jamaican culture, including sports, music, and food.  The annual survey invited Jamaicans and those who cherish Jamaican culture to share their opinions on the best representations of the nation’s culture in their local communities.

2023: A Year of Unmatched Achievements

Fraser-Pryce’s 2023 started with a spectacular performance, setting a meeting record at the Spitzen Leichtathletik meeting in Lucerne. She sprinted in her first 100m race of the season, an impressive 10.82 seconds. 

Her year of successes was further highlighted when she was named the 2023 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. This prestigious global recognition came after her record-breaking performance at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in 2022, where she won a record fifth 100m gold. This placed Fraser-Pryce in a position where she has more world sprint titles than any other athlete. Her ability to consistently run sub-10.7 for 100m sets her apart as one of the greatest sprinters of all time​​.

Recognition Beyond the Track

In addition to her athletic prowess, Fraser-Pryce’s contributions to sports and education have been recognized. The University of the West Indies (UWI) honored her with the Alumni Exemplar Sports Award for 2023. This award acknowledges not just her achievements on the track but also her role as an advocate for education and sports. Known affectionately as ‘Mommy Rocket’, based on her Pocket Rocket Foundation, Fraser-Pryce is a role model for aspiring athletes and students​

As this year also marked the 10th anniversary of the Pocket Rocket Foundation, established by Fraser-Pryce. The foundation celebrated this milestone by awarding academic scholarships and school supplies to 11 Jamaican students​

Demonstrating her role as a community leader, Fraser-Pryce hosted a Christmas event this year for children, providing gifts, food, and drinks. The Pocket Rocket Foundation has been instrumental in supporting high school student-athletes with scholarships covering tuition, books, lunch, and transportation since 2013.

Other Best of Jamaica Award

Jamaicans across the world also voted Fraser-Pryce as the “Jamaican of the Year 2023”, a title she shares with politician and former Miss World Lisa Hanna. 

Watch the Best of Jamaica 2023 Results Show

Photo – Instagram

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One of the big entertainment stories of 2023 was the announcement of a new release date for the Bob Marley biopic, “One Love,” a film that has been eagerly awaited by Marley fans worldwide. Several talented Jamaicans were honored for their achievements in the entertainment industry during the year as well. Jamaican DJ Kool Herc was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while two Jamaican actors – Kerry Washington and Sheryl Lee Ralph received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards were presented at a ceremony in Brooklyn’s “Little Caribbean” neighborhood.

“Bob Marley: One Love” Biopic Announces New Release Date

The long-awaited biographical film, “Bob Marley: One Love,” will be released on February 14, 2023. Fans noted there is no better day than Valentine’s Day to celebrate Marley, who shared messages of love and positivity throughout his short life. The film will provide fans with a chance to view Marley’s story on the big screen after several years of delay. The film centers on Marley’s political activism and the making of his ninth studio album, “Exodus.” Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, and Cedella Marley, Marley’s widow, son, and daughter, all have worked on the film and serve as executive producers alongside Robert Teitel. The trailer reveals that the biopic will highlight both his private and public life, including when he became the target of an assassination at the height of his career.

Jamaican DJ Kool Herc Was Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

DJ Kool Herc was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, the third Jamaican to be honored in this way. He received the Musical Influence Award at a ceremony on November 3, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Joel Peresman, the CEO and president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, said that 2023 was a perfect time to honor DJ Kool Herc as it is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. He also noted that the ceremony took place just 15 miles from the apartment building in the Bronx where the deejay invented the hip-hop music genre in 1973. DJ Kool Herc created the genre at a back-to-school party for his sister on August 11, 1973, when he isolated the percussion breakdowns in recording and repeated them on two turntables. DJ Kool Herc has previously been honored with a feature at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Peoples Hall of Fame Award from New York’s former governor Mario Cuomo, and the first Hip-Hop Honor from VH1.

Jamaican Author, KWAME McPherson, Won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize

The Jamaica writer Kwame McPherson was the winner of one of the most prestigious writing prizes in the world, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The prize is presented annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction by writers in Commonwealth nations. In 2023, the prize entries totaled over 6,600. Managed by the Commonwealth Foundation, five regional winners are chosen first, and from among those five, one is selected as the overall winner. The prize totals US$6,237 and accepts entries from Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Caribbean regional winner McPherson received the prize for his story “Ocoee,” a tale named for a town in Florida where, in 1920, a group of Black people were brutally killed in a racially aggravated attack. In the story, he combined the experience of Black Americans with Caribbean folklore and traditions of the African Diaspora. Previously, McPherson won a Poetic Soul prize and was the first Jamaican to receive a Flash Fiction Bursary Award from the Bridport Prize in 2020.

Two Award-Winning Jamaican American Actors Received Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jamaican actors Sheryl Lee Ralph, a popular Jamaican American actor best known for her award-winning role in the television program “Abbot Elementary,” and Kerry Washington, the Emmy-winning actor who starred in the hit TV show, “Scandal,” were honored with stars on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Both actors have received consistently high praise from critics and the public for their work. Ralph also received the Order of Jamaica, the fifth-highest honor presented by the nation’s government for her contributions to the global film industry.

The First Caribbean Music Awards Were Presented in Brooklyn’s “Little Caribbean”

On August 31, 2023, the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards were presented at Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York. The musician and Grammy winner, Wyclef Jean, hosted the event, which showcased the rich musical offerings of the West Indies. The Caribbean Music Awards differed from mainstream music award ceremonies as they focused solely on the Caribbean genres of soca, dancehall, and kompa. The winners were selected by fans who cast votes for their favorite songs, artists, and music videos. Performing at the awards ceremony were numerous Caribbean artists, including Karnival Bounce Crew, Mya, Dexta Daps, Toni-Ann Singh, Majah Hype, Wayne Wonder, Ding Dong, and deejays Jabba and Bobby Konders, among others.

Photo – YouTube

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Although there was a closure of Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport that caused flights to be redirected to Norman Manley International in Kingston for a few hours in August, overall, Jamaica’s business sector experienced many positive developments in 2023. Jamaicans were thrilled to see the opening of a new Krispy Kreme franchise in Kingston as the unemployment rate in the country fell to a historic low. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), and Jamaica received the best credit rating from Standard & Poor’s since 1999.

Huge Crowds Attended the Official Opening of the new Krispy Kreme doughnut franchise in Kingston

On June 3, 2023, the official opening of a new Krispy Kreme doughnut franchise in Kingston attracted large crowds. Doughnut fans started lining up at 4 am as they hoped to be among the shop’s first 100 customers, who had been promised prizes by the franchise. According to the group CEO of Restaurant Associates Limited, Lisa Lake, the holder of the local Krispy Kreme franchise, the organization was excited to welcome the crowds who came to enjoy the featured musical entertainment and other activities during the festive opening day. Krispy Kreme is the latest brand to be included in the portfolio of Restaurant Associates, which also holds Popeye’s, Little Caesar, and Burger King franchises.

Runway Shutdown Temporarily Redirects Flights from Sangster International Airport to Kingston

Due to a runway closure at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, flights were temporarily redirected to Kingston’s Norman Manley International facility on August 10, 2023. The airport issued a statement that the runway had been closed on a temporary basis and that no flight operations would occur for a few hours that morning. MBJ Airports Limited, which is responsible for the facility’s operations, worked to resolve the technical issues that caused the shutdown and told all departing passengers to check in for their flights as normal.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) for his efforts in promoting sustainable travel and tourism. The award was presented to Bartlett at PATWA’s summit meeting in Berlin, Germany. The organization presents awards to honor outstanding work by individuals and organizations in the promotion of tourism in various sectors of the travel industry, including hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, government bodies, tourism ministries, and other providers. Bartlett thanked PATWA for the honor and shared that he was passionate about tourism, especially the sustainable development of tourism. Only by promoting sustainable tourism can the travel industry be leveraged to provide the kind of economic growth that can transform communities and nations.

Jamaica Experienced Its Lowest Unemployment Rate in History

According to the April 2023 Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate in Jamaica dropped to a new low, with more Jamaicans working at that time than at any other in the island’s history. The data reported by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) showed that the unemployment rate in the country was 4.5 percent. This was 1.5 percentage points lower than the rate in a comparable period in 2022 and lower than the reported rate in July, which totaled 6.6 percent. In April 2023, 61,300 people were unemployed in Jamaica, 19.700 fewer than in April 2022. The drop was attributed in part to a reduction in the number of unemployed women.

Highest Credit Rating Received by Jamaica Since 1999

Jamaica’s credit rating was upgraded by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) to a BB-, the best rating the nation received since 1999 when the agency began rating the island’s sovereign debt. S&P upgraded Jamaica’s Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from B+ to BB- and added a stable outlook for the country. The agency said the stable outlook reflected expectations that Jamaica’s government would continue its commitment to prudent fiscal policies and debt reduction and to support economic moves, including a flexible exchange rate and effective monetary policy.

Photo – Deposit Photos

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