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
USA
Miscounting the bullets and choices that count the most
I have a new morning routine. I am not one of those people who can jump out of the bed once awake. I take my time and try to convince myself to look forward to getting up from the warm and cozy covers. The pillow has such a magnetic pull... So, I tell myself to…Read more Miscounting the bullets and choices that count the most
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
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
Recognize when evil identifies itself
Evil is real and evil is evil. Bad, wrong, wicked, harmful... Often we try to call it something else though. Either we don't know what it is or we don't believe in moral "good" and "bad" or we don't want to be the ones to judge. There are many reasons for our hesitation to use…Read more Recognize when evil identifies itself
Minnesota is a long way from Burma or Latvia
This is a photo from St Paul, Minnesota. Did you know that June 20 is a World Refugee Day? St Paul has become home to thousands of refugees. One of the ethnic groups settled in MN are Karen people from Burma (Myanmar). There are estimated 10,000 Karen in Minnesota and St. Paul currently has the…Read more Minnesota is a long way from Burma or Latvia
The perks of being curious
Sitting between two total strangers, I am always grateful for being a small person. Especially on a budget airline with very small seats. This time on my right was an American middle aged guy who was dressed for a business trip and on my left was a young Asian guy who was obviously a Buddhist…Read more The perks of being curious
Our renewed attraction to “greatness”
One leader has promised to make "Russia Great Again", one businessman has vowed to make "America Great Again" and others in Europe and elsewhere are declaring the same. Then there are those of us who have never been so "great" and just want to keep our countries the way they are. Or keep our countries...…Read more Our renewed attraction to “greatness”
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
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