National Friendship Day, Wednesday, November
23, 2022
The
Bahamas is more than just sun, sand, and
sea. The Bahamas is first about people who
are warm
and friendly. For many decades, The
Bahamas has been promoted as a place were
there is sun, sand, and sea. It has been a
catchy phrase that has been used to promote
our beautiful archipelago. True, our sand
and sea are some of the most beautiful in
the world. However, if there were no people
living in The Bahamas, even the most
exciting visitors would not come to just
visit sun, sand, and sea.
This promotional phrase has not done justice
to our nation. It has crippled us with a
false sense of pride, making some believe
that no matter what, people are going to
come to visit because the sun, sand, and sea
are beautiful. This is a myth. Even if our
hotels are not the best in the world but the
people are warm, gracious, inviting, and
kind, and the environment is clean, the
visitors will return. Therefore, I am
proposing that this old promotional phrase
be seriously activated with an additional
word: friendship. Here are two suggestions:
“Come to The Bahamas, where there is sun,
sand, sea, and friendship.” Or “Welcome to
the beautiful Bahamas, where there is sun,
sand, sea, and friendship.” I believe that
the word friendship can make a difference,
especially if it helps us to appreciate
ourselves first and understand the
importance of friendship.
Four weeks from now, Wednesday, November 23,
we will celebrate the eleventh annual
Bahamas National Friendship Day. I am hoping
that this day will be a great reminder to
all to appreciate the importance of
friendship. Bahamians and non-Bahamians,
National Friendship Day is another avenue to
rejuvenate a spirit of togetherness, respect
for one another, encourage unity, and a
healthy national pride. Being friendly to
visitors and strangers is not enough. We are
to display genuine friendship among
ourselves. True friendship can facilitate
what is needed to reduce or eliminate crime,
intimate partner abuse, child abuse, teenage
delinquency, etc.
I invite every business, educational
institution, and service provider to be
creative in finding ways to promote and
celebrate National Friendship Day on
November 23. Since the day falls on a
Wednesday, it is a good time for educational
institutions to have a special assembly to
celebrate the day. Businesses can have a
National Friendship Day Sale when workers
wear the friendship colors—yellow and
purple.
I think it is very good for everyone to know
the Friendship Pledge for National
Friendship Day. It was written in 2011 by
Patrice Williams Gordon:
Driven by the spirit of friendship for my
family, neighborhood, and country,
I pledge:
My outstretched hands to serve and protect
you
My attentive ears to care and listen to you
My winsome smiles to cheer and warm you
My rightly spoken words to inform and guide
you
My time, efforts and motives to do to you as
I would have you do to me
So together, under God we remain one people,
UNITED.
All religious institutions and churches can
learn the friendship anthem titled
“Friendship Chords.” The words and music are
by Marguerite Samuel (2011).
National Friendship of The Bahamas
Friendship Chords
Let all the nation join us in love and
friendship chords,
For each of us was given a life to share his
love.
Be kind to those who do you wrong, and smile
to cheer their day.
This simple act of grace will change the
pattern of disgrace.
We cannot let our quarrels and preconceived
ideas,
Erase divine compassion, benevolence, and
grace.
For in our sin God ransomed us, defeated
every grave.
But if we love beyond ourselves, our
problems He will take.
When someone seems too angry and their
frustration stings,
Make sure to think beyond their present so
distinct.
Reach out to them; don't mind the sting, for
God's love conquers all.
Your kind embrace will melt disdain on our
Bahamian shores.
The music score for this anthem can be found
on the website
www.soencouragement.org/friendshipday
Dear readers, make National Friendship Day a
special day in your life, family, school,
and workplace. Do your part in making The
Bahamas a place where there is truly “Sun,
Sand, Sea, and Friendship.”
Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and
family therapist. Send your questions or
comments to
question@soencouragement.org or
call or text 242-477-4002.
