One of my New Year resolutions is to read even more books. I love reading and through the work and travels I have collected a small library. Unfortunately my library is scattered - most books are in Latvia, many in USA and a few in Thailand. I have a dream that one day I will…Read more Peek into my library…
Define ‘happy’ and ‘new year’
A Rwandan friend of mine posted a question on Facebook: "what does 'happy new year' mean?" He inspired me to write my own response. It is January 1, 2016... the first day of a new year. We measure time by counting years but I like to think more in terms of 'seasons'. There is no…Read more Define ‘happy’ and ‘new year’
Living between ‘Now’ and ‘Not Yet’
Today is Christmas Eve and I am looking forward to celebrating it with the family in Minnesota. At the same time missing my family in Latvia. Many of us have favorite Christmas memories, so let me share mine. Growing up in Latvia while still part of the Soviet Union, we celebrated Christmas behind closed curtains.…Read more Living between ‘Now’ and ‘Not Yet’
Enough of Supersize Fear
If there is universal word and emotion in 2015, it is Fear. Phobia. Anxiety. Paranoia. This is nothing new for humankind even if we somehow think that the challenges are unique to our times and situation. Just study history, autobiographies, ancient literature like the Bible and see that people and nations have always struggled with…Read more Enough of Supersize Fear
My husband digs through the rubbish
The nations of the world are meeting in Paris, France to discuss the climate change; the warming of our planet; the pledges that have been made and the reality that those pledges are not ambitious enough. We are negotiating how to cut carbon emissions and to limit global warming to 2C (3.6F) We are not…Read more My husband digs through the rubbish
Best wishes for Latvia
What can I wish my country on this anniversary? Latvia is celebrating 97 years of independence which was declared on November 18, 1918! My grandmother is almost as old as our republic. At 92 years, she has lived a long and eventful life together with her nation. When it was new and developing fast; when…Read more Best wishes for Latvia
Freedom from fear in Myanmar
"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it." This conviction by Aung Sun Suu Kyi, a Burmese leader and former political prisoner, highlights an important truth. It also describes a life that…Read more Freedom from fear in Myanmar
A question not to ask me
"Do you miss Latvia?" or equally irritating "Is it nice to be in Latvia?" Yes, I do get annoyed from time to time... I know it is just a nice question and usually it is part of small talk but for some strange reason I wonder why people ask me this kind of thing. There…Read more A question not to ask me
Lessons from Ukraine: peacemaking can be counterintuitive
My current ‘office’ is a nice coffee shop in Riga where I enjoy the warmth and tasty treats. The days are getting shorter and the evenings darker. The air is much colder, too. Is it just me or the autumn is a perfect time for reflections? As promised in my last post about Nobel Peace…Read more Lessons from Ukraine: peacemaking can be counterintuitive
My nominee for Nobel Peace Prize 2015 is …
The laureate of Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed this Friday, October 9. As usual, the nominees are kept in secret and it will be a secret for next 50 years. So, we will not know who were the people and organizations to choose from. Having just visited Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, I…Read more My nominee for Nobel Peace Prize 2015 is …
peaceroads 