"Prevention betta dan cure"

Pop di proverbial treats dem like Vitamin C !
Dem likkle and sweet and good fi yuh!!

Cultural Psychological Treats

Gems, proverbs and Jamaican parlance are ways in which our ancestors taught the principles of life. Though this is arguably a fading aspect of our Jamaican culture, the revitalization of these nuggets with a twist of mind care analysis, is the perfect recipe to assist in protecting one’s most valuable asset. 

Prevention betta dan cure or for the longer version “a ounce a prevention betta dan a pound a cure” simply means it is far better to be actively prevent a problem or situation (no matter how simple the effort is) than to try and deal with it after it shows up in our lives.

In life, many situations will happen up on us suddenly, because that is the nature of life. It is UNPREDICTABLE. If we are caught off guard, the trauma of the situation that met us, may cause us to be stuck in a rut that we might not be equipped to get out of. 

As such, it is important for all of us with a mind, to arm up ourselves so that when these situations come, and believe me they will, we are are able to pull on the knowledge that is wisdom to help us through this time- almost automatically. 

So, join me as I offer psychological treats from our Jamaican proverbs to help you learn valuable lessons as we seek to protect our minds…because really “a ounce a prevention betta dan a pound a cure”. 

Protect yuh mind wid some Proverbial Lines

In our Jamaican culture, proverbs have deep meanings that give guidance. We can use these proverbs to strengthen our moral compass and shape our minds into mental wellness. Let’s learn dem…

Finger neber say “look here,” him say “look yonder.”
Finger never says “look here,” he says “look yonder”.
People don't usually point out their faults, they project. Take nothing personally.
If you get your han’ in a debil mout’ tek time draw it out.

If your hand is caught in the devil's mouth, slowly remove it.
Whenever you are in a difficult situation, don't make hasty decisions. Carefully retreat.
Nuh wait till drum beat before yuh grine yuh axe.
Do not wait until the drum beats before you grind your axe.
Be proactive not reactive.
Cock mout kill cock.

A cock's mouth kills the cock.
Be very careful what comes out of your mouth as those same words can be your destruction.
You ‘fraid fe yeye, you neber nyam head
If you are afraid of the eye you would never eat the head.
Fear holds you back from a full experience.
Yu shake man han, but yu noh shake im hawt
You can shake a man’s hand, but you cannot shake his heart.
Mere physical contact cannot introduce you to the intentions of a person.
Fiyah deh a muss-muss (moos-moos) tail, in tink a cool breeze
Fire at the tail of a mouse is mistaken by him to be a cool wind.
Naivety and absent mindedness leads to misinterpretation and demise.
Me come yah fe drink milk, me noh come yah fe count cow
I came here to drink milk, not to count cows.
Remain focus on your vision and your goals. Don't be sidetracked.
Pit inna de sky, it fall inna yuh y’eye
If you spit it will fall in your eyes.
The negative action you release will eventually return to you.
Ebry dog have him day an ebry puss dem 4 o clock
Every dog has his day and every cat has their 4' o clock.
Everyone will get their victory or success.
Wanti wanti cyaan getti, an’ getti getti noh wanti
Those who want it desperately cannot recieve it and those who have it don't want it.
Appreciate what you have, there are many who desire it.
Yu caan sow corn and expect fi reap peas
You cannot sow corn and expect to reap peas.
What you put in, is what you will get out.
Big blankit mek man sleep late.
A big blanket causes a man to sleep late.
Your comfort zone will cause you to miss opportunities.
One one coco full basket
One one cocoa fills a basket.
Small steps are to be appreciated as they will take you to your goals.
Fishaman neva seh him fish stink
A fisherman never says that his fish stinks.
A person will never highlight the issues with what he values or promotes.
Ole fiyah stick easy fi ketch
Old fire sticks easily reignite.
It is easy to be drawn back into old habits and situations (especially persons we were involved with).
Bakra wuk neva dun
A master's work is never finished.
Working for someone is a never ending job as there is always more that they require you to do.
Wha a joke to you a death to me.
What is a joke to you is death to me.
Actions or words that are considered to be jest by someone maybe considered detrimental to another.
Good fren betta dan pocket money
Good friends are better that pocket money.
Good friends are more valuable that money.
If yuh cyaan get turkey, satisfy wid johncrow
If you cannot get a turkey, satisfy with a vulture.
We should be content with what we have at the moment until we are able to get what we desire.
Nuh mug nuh bruk, nuh coffee nuh dash weh
No mug is broken, no coffee is spilled.
Even when things go wrong, there is something to be grateful for because the situation could be worse.
Dawg a sweat an long hair hide it
A dog is sweating but his long hair hides it.
The struggles a person experiences is sometimes hidden or masked.
Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight
A cockroach has no business in a chicken's fight.
Do not get involved in other people's affairs.
Wha sweet nanny goat a guh run him belly
What excites a goat will cause his running belly.
The things that seem excitable may cause you harm.
Heel neva guh before toe
A heel never goes before the toes.
Prioritize important matters. Every thing has an order.
Blood thicka dan wata
Blood is thicker than water.
The bond between relatives is strong.
Mi mout a mi market
My mouth is my market.
A person's voice is their strength.
Ebry hoe have dem tick a bush
Every hoe has their stick in the bush.
Everyone has a companion.
Yuh cyaan carry two face unda one hat
You cannot carry two faces under one hat.
Always ensure that you words and actions line up.
If yuh cyaan tan bun, cut and run.
If you cannot stand being burnt then cut and run.
If something is overwhelming release it and leave it behind.
Yes yes neva carry man ova mountain

Yes Yes never carried a man over a mountain.
Words alone cannot get a task done. Actions are a vital part of any accomplishment.
Same bird weh carry news come ah di same bird weh carry it back
The same bird that carries the news to you is the same one who will carry it back.
A gossip who comes to you will take back news to someone.
Mi ole but mi nuh cold
I am old but I am not cold.
Elderly people have value to offer. Being old doesn't mean they are useless.
When Eskimo have money him buy fridge
When an eskimo has money he buys a fridge.
Sometimes when people have extra money they tend to waste it foolishly.