Stubbling, Part 2
Luis Ayala, Editor of "Got Rum?" magazine, Rum Consultant and Founder of The Rum University
Luis Ayala, Editor and Rum Consultant
I first talked about stubbling in a previous installment of “From The Editor” (January 2016, to be precise). Back then I explained how the term refers to sugarcane’s ability to re-grow after having been cut almost all the way to its roots. Stubbling is one of the most important reasons behind sugarcane’s value in today’s economy and is also a source of many empowering analogies.
When nature devastates a community, many survivors often leave the affected area and never return, vowing instead to start anew elsewhere. Some do return and work hard to restore the remnants of their communities to their former glory or beyond. Yet others never leave -even if they have the opportunity-, determined to start the rebuilding even before the true extent of the devastation is fully known. This last group best embodies the spirit of stubbling and is often comprised of individuals who also embody the qualities of leadership and dedication that companies the world over strive to have in their ranks.
This hurricane season has left unforgettable physical and emotional scars in many communities across the Caribbean and coastal areas of North America. But even though the season is not over yet, signs of rebuilding -or stubbling- have already appeared and, those staying behind to be part of the reconstruction are already in a class of their own, fully aware of their intrinsic power to be agents of transformation.
On pages 34-37 you will find a few ideas on how you can be part of this rebuilding. Much like applying fertilizer to a crop, outside donations and volunteers can boost this innate desire to re- grow and to prosper. If each of us contributes a small amount, together we can make a big difference.
Like they say in Jamaica, “out of many, ONE PEOPLE.”
Cheers,
Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher