It has been nothing short of an exhilarating few days for Bermuda, as we saw the America’s Cup get off to a sensational start in our waters with the world watching, and then an announcement that a new hotel for the East End was finally going to be reality after long periods of doubt and confusion, which had many wondering whether that part of the Island would ever rekindle the spirit of the old days of catering to visitors with their own hotel facility.

The Island is still basking in the surge of business activity that has been an economic shot in the arm by events connected with the America’s Cup, along with potential for further success leading up to the main event in 2017.

Bermuda is moving into a new page in our history, and extreme care must be given to preserving values that have sustained us through the years.

This new challenge is vital because it crosses political, religious, racial and ethnic lines, as the values we must preserve involve respect, discipline, trust and a desire to keep Bermuda moving in a direction where communities grow stronger to confront modern-day problems as one people instead of isolated groups that tend to promote divisiveness.

At last there is some light in what has been a long, dark economic tunnel — and that should be encouragement for all Bermudians, regardless of political or group affiliations.

This is not a time to launch any type of fault-finding campaign, which is so common in political arenas worldwide. But it is a time to pause and reflect on how best to take advantage of opportunities to strengthen our infrastructure without losing values that have made this Island a special place in the Atlantic. Bermuda is not without problems that need urgent close attention, and this is the case with many countries as societies around the world are confronted with complex issues in a troubled global climate of military conflicts and migration.

Thousands of people are forced to flee their homes to seek a life without bombs and bullets that for many is a part of daily activity.

Common values of decency and respect are shelved in the name of clinging to power by some leaders, who cherish dominance over doing what is right. For such leaders, it means admitting mistakes and accepting that another way could be better.

In the glow and glitter of economic success, there must be balance with proper values for living or that success could turn out to be a fragile bubble capable of bursting without notice.

When proper values are preserved in any society, even during tough times, the people have something to rebuild with — and that is always a positive. Just as the annual flu shot provides us with a degree of protection from that virus that can harm our bodies, we also need something to preserve values essential to keeping our island communities healthy and safe.

Efforts by groups such as Pride, which is dedicated to helping to keep our young from falling prey to illegal drugs and other substances that affect the mind, deserve full support from the entire community.

Beneath the glow of positive activity derived from the America’s Cup, and a long-awaited hotel for the East End, we must remain focused on those whom we hope will carry the torch of values for the next generation.

It is disturbing to learn that some young people are experimenting with alcohol or illegal drugs before reaching their teen years. We know there will never be a perfect system, but with greater focus on family values and how we preserve them, this trend could be stifled.

The illegal drug world has no concern about the damage the trade causes. Their objective is to secure as many customers as possible and to keep the dollars flowing from those addicted to the false highs that never last. Our children need protection more than ever in a world where so much is going on that detracts from important values.

Watching the brilliant coverage of the America’s Cup in Bermuda waters, and exposure the Island received worldwide as a result, made some with no interest in sailing at all excited.

The international event had people talking from one end of the Island to the other. The Government, the Opposition and other community groups know we are not in position to count our chickens yet, but most Bermudians know the eggs are looking good.

Bermuda needs all hands on deck as we attempt to move forward to improve our economic plight, but this should be done without losing focus on important values such as respect for each other and the preservation of life qualities that give real meaning to the word “success”.