A full house with little room to spare hailed the launch of the Drexwell Seymour bestseller – Rise Up And Take Your Position – at the Community Fellowship Centre Church on Leeward Highway, Friday, November 19.
The guests included Minister of Infrastructure and Planning Hon. Akierra Missick, Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor, Members of Parliament Hon. Shaun Malcolm and Hon. Kyle Knowles.
The audience also boasted an A-lister of the Turks and Caicos Islands business community, including Head of the Hartling Group, Stan Hartling and Elery James of the Lapel’s chain of laundries.
According to Seymour, the book was written to stimulate self-awareness, self-belief and self-worth, revealing that the masterpiece was inspired by his struggles and self-doubt, and also the Bible.
“Everybody has a story. I challenge you to document your story. No one can tell your story like you. Though you may have a similar story as others, your story is unique. When you share your story, you are making a difference in the lives of others,” the author appealed, saying that other people, like himself, could use their story to inspire, influence and encourage others.
He said John 5 in specific was the Bible chapter from which he took inspiration for ‘Rise Up and Take Your Position’. Part of that chapter chronicles a man with infirmity, who, for 30 years, could not get into the pool ahead of others, when it was stirred with medicinal value.
“And then Jesus came and asked him, ‘Do you want to be made whole?’ And he responded and say, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. Because when I am coming someone step in before me’. And Jesus said, ‘Rise up, take up your bed and walk’. And immediately, the man was made well,” he said.
The author used the opportunity to urge those who were being subjected to relationship abuses, workplace inequity, and also those waiting for the ‘perfect person’ to come along, to rise up and take charge of their own destiny.
Dr. Barbara Ambrister, President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Writers Society, in her time at the lectern, heaped accolades on the celebrated writer for bringing awareness with the book.
She also stated that Seymour, who is a member of the society, has made his presence felt within the body, with his inspiration. Ambrister added also that his humility knows no bounds.
“Drex motivates, he participates, he elaborates, and we are a team because he is there. I want to say that Drex exemplifies creative confidence,” she said, mentioning also that he epitomizes disruptive thinking, which she said is thinking beyond the norm.
Celebrated recording artiste, Barbara Johnson, who was among the throng who turned out to celebrate the event, said Seymour played a chunky role in her career.
Johnson, reputed as ‘The Songbird of the Turks and Caicos Islands’, said Seymour not only wrote one of her most popular songs, but stated that he is a great motivator.
The book was launched on the birthday of one of Seymour’s daughters, Drexana, and Johnson serenaded her with a birthday song, while gifts were presented to her.
Incidentally, she wrote the theme song for his book launch of the same name, which she performed at the event.
A short film documenting the life of the author, which was directed by Benson Williams, was also shown and sold on DVD at the event.