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Ornella McFarlane

@ornellamcfarlane

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Islander🏝🇯🇲
#faithoverfear
🇨🇺🇩🇪🇹🇷🇺🇸.🇬🇧

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#growthinthejourney
#forgeyourownpath
#trusttheprocess by @ornellamcfarlane

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4 years ago

Here's to the adventure!
To taking leaps of faith
Making great mistakes
Throwing out the plans
And living life the best we can...

What a year it has been for me.
I dub 2021 My Year of Improv.
I have had to make so many back up plans... it was as if my alphabet started at 'B', but like Thomas Edison I learnt how not to make a light bulb - which turned out fine in the end. After all, the only thing worst than failing is failing to try; I always say...

So here she comes, 2022, packed with uncertainty, anxiety and possibility...

May we all have good fortune and blessings ahead but be ready and strong enough to face LIFE'S 'buts', 'what ifs' and 'insteads'. All the best for the new year my friends.

#happynewyear
#2022
#endlesspossibilities
#newpossibilities
#giveityourbest by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

This was one of the most amazing days of my life! Yet, these moments were caught that, didn't show it.
Instead I see my anxiety, doubts and fragility.

As a woman, I sometimes struggle with how or if, I want my voice to be heard, "what is my message". As humans, we face so many traumatizing and heartbreaking events, that often causes us to question the validity of existence - our most precious existence... we are told to "be strong", a feature that we acquire at the end of torturous and strenuous exercise. Not everyone loves the gym... but strength is indeed a necessity as our experiences increase intensity.

Nevertheless, strength is not just physical, even the strongest man has had his spirit broken.
Marcus Aurelius said it best "You have power over your mind - not events. Realize this, and you will find strength"

#mentalstrength
#gettingbetter
#loveher
#turkey
#travel
#hotairballoon taken in Capadocia, Turkey by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

To all things there is a begining and end.

It began with me applyng for an experience I have wanted and have been applying for since high school, but I always found reasons not to go through with it. This time, I had to plan a way to ensure I did not chicken out😅. Especially when the cost and technicalities of travelling such a far way set in. I was for sure going to back out, again.
However, I took a leap of faith and sought help and the amazing @hyltonpa (president of @ncbjamaica ) stepped in with an extremely generous grant. At this point there was no turning back, I had stakeholders to consider😃. Nevertheless, the journey (though clearer) became evermore challenging.
I mean, if I were to tell you half of my difficulties getting to this conference I would have to create a 24 episode docuseries🥴(it did ruff bredda, mi nah lie). When we talk about delays, diversions, denials... but I was not to quit, I had stakeholders😅. I pulled through by the grace of God. I made it to the conference, put my best foot forward and it was impactful.

Inevitably, It has come to an end, and I am wiser, stronger and all the better for it! I could have quit so many times, but it was time to hold myself accountable, for the future I desire and the people I inspire.

Thank you my friends for showing your support, your comments, likes and encouragment were tremendous, I am so happy to have you all in my corner🥰. by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

The journey may be long, tiring and uncertain at times but persevere nonetheless. Your work has been seen and your voice has been heard. taken in Istanbul, Turkey by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

This seems to be the most haphazard Olympics I have seen in my years, for so many of our athletes. I felt it to my core when @tyquendotracey announced his injury and here I am looking at @jahlhurdle about to claim his Gold medal and this happens.

I cannot put my feelings into words, I am crying.

I saw some of the work they put in and I am human, so I know how it feels to devote your time and effort, pour your sweat, blood and tears into something and to be disappointed by things outside of your control. All I feel is another gold medal gone and the excruciating pain of regret...and unfulfillment.
I can't imagine what the the athletes are feeling.
All I can say is chin up, we love you still and this too shall pass...

#Jamaica
#Olympics2021
#ithurts by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

Forget forgiveness,

Most of us have heard that saying "the world is unforgiving", but who says we need the worlds forgiveness. Like any part of nature, of being, we exist not to be perfect but to traverse new ground and experience the world as only we can.

This means taking each day and every moment that comes with it, as it comes, and goes. Whether we are lost in fog - "trap in the valley" or at the mountain peak overlooking - "the horizon". We are forever charged with the task of "moving forward", getting over and that is hard on anyone.

Thankfully, we should remember that, though we think we need the world's forgiveness - our existence does not depend on it.

#thankGod
#inthevalley
#unlockingpurpose
#experience
#thehorizon
#anewday by @ornellamcfarlane

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5 years ago

The Dark

A dark cloud looms over the city
It looms, and from it blooms...hate
Distracted in vision of perfection, lost ideals fill hearts with rejected souls
Misguided by ill gotten desires to attain the wrong goals... I think to be a speaker, If I knew, I would speak of her... but I am not my sisters keeper...

A dark cloud looms over the city
It looms, and from it blooms... pain
Unwavering, as the sun at midday
There is no space for your daughter
There is no safe, for your daughter they gather to speak, I think you to be a speaker, would you speak of her..
Are you not your sisters keeper?

A dark cloud looms over the city
It looms and from it blooms... darkness
Caverns deep, the pending pit for all who council to finally sit, no more to bask in glorious sight, darkness looms in debt of light...
I charge you, seek her and break the chains that keep her in the dark
Are not we all our sister's keeper...

OM

#findjasminedean
#justiceforkhanicejackson
#saveourgirls
#webelonghere
#myjamaicatoo
#rapeishate
#makejamaicasafe
#stopvoilenceagainstwomen by @ornellamcfarlane

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6 years ago

🎶Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky, waiting for me when I die but between the day you're born and when you die, they never seem to hear even your cry.
So as sure as the ☀️ will shine, I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine...🎶 by @ornellamcfarlane

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6 years ago

What do you become when you face your fears?

2020 was the year of facing fears! I know I met a few of mine, and boy were they scary😖! When asked "what is your greatest fear" we often say things such as; 'failing, insects, dogs, heights, needless to say, 2020 proved that all of us had one fear greater than anything esle. Losing the people we love and the life we know.

This fear of loss, has inspired so many people to live more - try new things dream bigger dreams, get and keep in touch with the people who matter most.

It was one of the hardest years the world has ever known and also the most stirring. I listened to so many testimonies of gratitude - along with my own, coming into this year, 2021. I also noticed I had no anxiety.

Everytime around December I usually become very anxious, I start to ponder deeply about the next roll of 365 days ahead. This feeling worsens by new year's eve - it's as if I am on a peak looking down into a valley obscured by the thickest fog. I think about what it holds for me and my loved ones; sickness, accidents, unemployment, death... However, this time around I thought of nothing, I took each day with an open mind and a deep breath not a shred of anxiety was present. It was the ending of a day and the begining of one.

What do you become when you face your fears...

An overcomer, a keen listener, a bigger dreamer, faithful prayer an experienced warrior, a loving neighbour, and just someone inspired to work a little harder.

When we face the worst possible things we appreciate the day as is - precious and fleeting so we can take hold of the day that will be tomorrow.

#wemadeit
#anotherrollof365
#liveinthemoment
#yourmoments
#youcreateyourmoment taken in Kingston, Jamaica by @ornellamcfarlane

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6 years ago

Some of my favourite views / pictures from 2020. Nature and its wonders... taken in Negril, Jamaica by @ornellamcfarlane

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6 years ago

There is no such thing as lost time.

I know what you are thinking, of course there is, but here's my take.

When I was young my family struggled financially at best. I was the first child and that meant learning to take responsibility for things most children don't even consider. By age 6 I was cooking, washing and cleaning, I made my first pot of soup at 7 years old all on my own, chicken foot, dumpling and all😌 @miss_screaming_eagle. My Mom only gave me one task which was to turn off the stove once the chicken foot was tender, but I watched her so many times and I knew she was going out to work I decided to do it on my own, it was just my little brother and I but he was being watched by grandma, I think.

Mind you, I was always a responsible or sensible child (I was well aware of the dangers of the stove, gas, knives...) and at the time we lived in a big yard with Aunty, Grandma and my Great Gandma so, help was close by should I need it.

As, I got older and my family grew, I developed a deeper sense of knowing, I pondered many times about my role as the eldest, it sometimes pressured me to think that I am the second Mom in the family, that my sibblings are watching me. My Grandma would say "wul up yuh head dat yuh bredda an sista can falla." Didn't always like hearing that it made me walk a tight rope. I was seldom disobedient except for voicing my opinion now and then (it's a lawyer thing😉) right @moni_divine

I remember saving or getting money from an distant relative and giving it to my mother, sometimes unwillingly 😪 because I had made plans to go to that fair or class party. To date, I only went to one of those in my high school days. There were instances I thought time was lost and I would never have the chance to have that kind of fun. Well turns out bouncing in a bounce house is still fun in your 20s😅 and going out with friends is way cooler in your 20s too. So did I lose time, Naaah🤪
I gained other experiences and an appreciation for precious things like family and home cooked meals.

So there is no such thing as lost time, not for me.

#wevegottime
#thereisnosuchthingaslosttime taken in Negril, Jamaica by @ornellamcfarlane

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6 years ago