Peacemaking

I don’t want to be another brick in the wall

Few days ago I was giving a lecture on peace building and reconciliation and our group had a very good discussion about some of the issues and challenges that our societies are facing. It was in a religious context but the principles of good and healthy relationships vs bad and broken ones are the same…Read more I don’t want to be another brick in the wall

What I learned from pilgrimage of trust in Rīga

Hope is on my mind. Hope is different from simple optimism or positive thinking because hope is living both in the reality of "now and here" and in "not yet and not there yet". It all depends on the ultimate truth and purpose of life you believe in. Few weeks ago the capital of Latvia…Read more What I learned from pilgrimage of trust in Rīga

Have a brave and creative year 2017…

Rīga, Latvia... December 31, 2016 has turned out to be grey and misty. The sun has been hiding for weeks now and the snow is avoiding us, too. I guess there will be no New Year's Eve sledding or snow ball fights. I just re-read my first post of this past year and the predictions…Read more Have a brave and creative year 2017…

I will not give up on truth seeking

Few weeks ago Oxford Dictionaries announced the word of 2016 is “post-truth". Followed by “alt-right” (alternative right) or “Brexiteer and others. It was chosen because this year there has been such a sharp increase in how and when this concept is used. Especially during the Brexit campaign and US elections. According to Oxford Dictionaries, post…Read more I will not give up on truth seeking

Dear Latvia, I love you

This is my dear grandmother Margaret who is only 5 years younger than the Republic of Latvia. Born in 1923, she has seen and experienced many things, lost much but also gained much. She teaches me how not to take things for granted. She also teaches me about courage, sacrifice, creativity, gratitude and hope. Today…Read more Dear Latvia, I love you

How the whole world “elects” the US president

From my little corner of our planet in Latvia, it seems like the whole world just "voted" for who should become the next president of the United States. My friends in many countries have countless postings on Facebook. Every news channel, talk show and every conversation at one point or another brings up this topic.…Read more How the whole world “elects” the US president

Bubbles and simple beauty of joy

London is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I have visited many times but have never lived there. So, I am allowed to keep my "honeymoon" feeling 🙂 It is a city of stories. On every turn you feel like there is an interesting and important story. Buildings, bridges, parks, statues, paintings,…Read more Bubbles and simple beauty of joy

I am so sorry, Aleppo

This is about Syria and it is not about Syria; this is about politics and it is not about politics; this is about global challenges and it is not about global challenges; this is about the world's reaction but it is not about the world. This is about my own feelings in regards to what…Read more I am so sorry, Aleppo

Shape of my heart

September 21 is the International Day of Peace. So, what? The world does not seem very peaceful; many relationships strained or broken; armed conflicts and rumors of wars in too many places; resources and environment being fought over; refugees in millions; fundamentalists clashing with libertarians; anxiety and fear in the headlines; elections becoming so divisive…Read more Shape of my heart