Truth

Why is Angelina Jolie causing a traffic jam in Battambang?

It turns out I have a few things in common with Angelina Jolie. She is in Cambodia and I am, too. She was in Battambang and I was there, too. She was shopping at the Night Market in Siem Reap and I was, too. She is researching the Khmer Rouge regime and the genocide of…Read more Why is Angelina Jolie causing a traffic jam in Battambang?

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

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’

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 …

Mitsubishi and three little words that make grown men cry

Most of us would be quick to point out that there is lots of media coverage of the brokenness of our world – stories of corruption, pollution, conflict, wars, extremism, human trafficking, injustice, etc. It is because the world is broken… so the media does their job and shines the spotlight on the ugliness. I…Read more Mitsubishi and three little words that make grown men cry

Can we have shortcuts in reconciliation?

I will be honest – I struggle with confession. I struggle with acknowledging the truth that I have hurt someone by my words, actions or attitudes. Even when confronted, I try to minimize, avoid, justify or simply hide the truth. I guess some things have not changed since I was a little girl who was…Read more Can we have shortcuts in reconciliation?

The old man who is still looking for peace

You never know who you may meet while traveling. Last week I spent some long hours on the plane from Riga - Moscow - Bangkok. Sometimes you have an encounter and think, "Interesting timing! Why am I meeting this person here and now?" When boarding the plane in Moscow, I noticed that I would sit…Read more The old man who is still looking for peace