Life lessons from Mrs Norma Keizer

Fri Feb 22, 2013

by Karen Hinds

A little over 10 years ago, having just written one of my books, I came back to St Vincent to launch my work. A quick look through all the local papers and I realized there was no content in any of the newspapers on how to be successful in the workplace. These columns are a regular part of almost every newspaper in the USA. I decided to contact all the newspapers in St Vincent and offer my articles.{{more}} Mrs Keizer’s Searchlight was the only paper that responded and gave me the opportunity to share with the Vincentian community my tips and strategies on workplace excellence. As we mourn her passing, I want us to stop long enough to honour her work and memory and then recognize the lessons from her life and how we as Vincentians can carry on her legacy. I see these three things as a part of her legacy:

Use your talents. The outpouring from Vincentians locally and those overseas is overwhelming. How could one person touch so many lives, even after retiring from teaching? Yes, mourn Mrs Keizer’s passing, but then get up, dry your tears and ask yourself: What have you done with your talents? Are you using every gift God has given you? We all have them, no matter how small they may be. You don’t have to try to be like everyone; God has made you unique, so use whatever you have to impact the lives of the people around you. Imagine if Mrs Keizer did not use her talents — so many people’s lives would be different in a negative way. When you don’t use your talents, you are literally robbing others of their blessings. Don’t be a thief.

Open doors for others. Mrs Keizer took the time to open doors for people by giving them opportunities, making introductions to other individuals who could help, and inspiring them to be their best. Too often when people make it, they forget they are in a position to help those coming up behind. Making it simply means you now throw down a ladder, so other people can join you. Unfortunately, because they are selfish, too many people build a fortress and break down the road they travelled so others can’t come close to their accomplishments. Let’s follow in Mrs Keizer’s footsteps by being better people and lighting the path to opportunities for those who want better for themselves.

Carry yourself with grace. I am sure Mrs Keizer had her share of the bumps and bruises that life gives all of us, yet she carried herself with a grace and dignity that sometimes made living seem effortless. The nature of our world now has taken full disclosure to an all-time low when it really is not necessary. Life gives us all challenges; we can lament over those challenges or we can quietly address them and use the lessons learned to become better people and a better society.

Mrs Keizer, I am thankful for the platform you gave me to share my talents and my passion and realize my dream of making a contribution to my St Vincent and the Grenadines. May your soul rest in peace.