Politics

Zooming in and out this world and life of ours

Bangkok - Moscow - Riga... my flight itinerary the other day. I have been on this route many times before, bridging Southeast Asia and Northern Europe in less than 12 hours. Once I mentioned to a friend that I feel my one foot in Latvia and the other in Thailand. My friend laughed: "That is…Read more Zooming in and out this world and life of ours

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

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…

Navigating through fake news, stupid news and no news

Honestly I feel very challenged. This is getting harder and harder and some days my brain simply revolts and screams at me. "Stop stretching me so thin! Stop feeding me this stuff! Give me something good to chew and digest that will bring life! Give me a break... period." We are taught to be critical…Read more Navigating through fake news, stupid news and no news

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

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

Should I hang out with “wrong Christians”?

"There are some people I would rather avoid and never interact with. I wish they would not speak in public or social media. I wish they would just be quiet and keep their thoughts to themselves. And I wish they did not broadcast themselves as "Christians" because I do not want to be associated with…Read more Should I hang out with “wrong Christians”?

Looking at our compass to guide through the EU crisis

For sure I am no expert on the EU but I do know a thing or two. Firstly, most people, including myself, recognize that we are in a serious crisis. You hear it described as 'existential'. The question of 'to be or not to be'. Also, I know that any crisis and pressure - personal…Read more Looking at our compass to guide through the EU crisis

Thinker, believer and one of Latvia’s best kept secrets

Few days ago I heard some sad, bitter and sweet news. Sad because I found out that a very special person has passed away. Bitter because I was hoping to meet him again this year. Sweet because I am happy for him... at 88 years old, he has gone to the Big World as he…Read more Thinker, believer and one of Latvia’s best kept secrets