Quick Thoughts

Quick Thoughts: To Build a Better World, Stop Asking Polarizing Questions

In the name of making the world—or, at the very least, our countries—a better place, I feel like we are caught in the middle of a fight between “anti” and “pro” everythings.  And the more I look at it, the more I think that this line of thinking is the wrong one for two reasons. … Read More Quick Thoughts: To Build a Better World, Stop Asking Polarizing Questions

Empowerement, Unity, Virtues

Good People of the World, Unite! Why Greed, Corruption, and Other Nasties are Winning

In the face of all the bad news we have been getting lately, let’s get this out there, again and again: good people are the rule, not the exception.  Which begs the question: why is the world so bad? I think it’s because good people are not organized and united. Strength in Unity Bad people… Read More Good People of the World, Unite! Why Greed, Corruption, and Other Nasties are Winning

Community Building, Unity, Virtues

Building Understanding in an Increasingly Multicultural World

The topic of building understanding has been touched upon a couple of times on this blog (here, here, and here).  But while it’s easy to agree on the importance of building understanding, it’s not as easy to come up with ways to do it. Big Questions, Simple Answers, Complex Requirements Oftentimes, the answer to such… Read More Building Understanding in an Increasingly Multicultural World

Community Building, Justice

Differences in Opinion: Let’s Stop Oppressing One Another

A lot of people have problems with religion.  It’s to the point that I often feel that, as a religious person, I can’t talk about what I really believe in for fear of being labelled.  I have been called a fanatic.  I have been told that I can’t think for myself and that’s why I… Read More Differences in Opinion: Let’s Stop Oppressing One Another

Community, Community Building, Community Development

Perceiving Disunity: Just as Dangerous as Disunity Itself?

A friend of mine who is from a specific part of the world decided recently to organize a get together only for people from that area, kind of like a missing-home get together.  I thought it was a great idea, until another friend of mine, from another part of the world, pointed out that it… Read More Perceiving Disunity: Just as Dangerous as Disunity Itself?

Beauty

The Many Facets of Beauty: From the Human Body to the Body of Humanity

The question of the objectification of the human body has become an even more sensitive one for me after experiencing pregnancy.  Why is it that the amazing potentialities of the human body to create life are not only limited to only its physical appearance, but that only a limited range of the way a human… Read More The Many Facets of Beauty: From the Human Body to the Body of Humanity

Beauty

The Many Ways of Channelling Beauty

One of the most beautiful things about humanity is the diversity of the ways we have come up with for doing the same thing. One easy example: cooking. Various parts of the world do completely different things with the same ingredients, and all have the potential to taste excellent. I for one love having access… Read More The Many Ways of Channelling Beauty

Community, Community Building, Community Development

The Real Meaning of Unity: Removing Obstacles to Fulfilling our True Purpose in Life

Quite unfortunately, community-building doesn’t just happen when a group of good-willed individuals come together. Not that good-will doesn’t help! But it’s not enough. All the good-will in the world cannot be properly channeled unless there is unity. If we think of the community-building process as rowing, it becomes clear that we can have a lot… Read More The Real Meaning of Unity: Removing Obstacles to Fulfilling our True Purpose in Life

Community, Community Building, Community Development

Unity Amidst Increasing Diversity in Smaller and Smaller Spaces: The Vital Importance of Respect

I recently posted reflections about the importance of learning the skills related to consultation in the context of a family, so that we can apply said skills in the context of society. The world is becoming smaller and smaller through increasingly efficient travel and exchange of information. This means two things: different people end up… Read More Unity Amidst Increasing Diversity in Smaller and Smaller Spaces: The Vital Importance of Respect

Community Building

Building Understanding in an Increasingly Multicultural World

The topic of building understanding in an increasingly multicultural world has been touched upon a couple of times on this blog (here, here, and here). But while it’s easy to agree on the importance of building understanding, it’s not as easy to come up with ways to do it. Oftentimes, the answer to such big… Read More Building Understanding in an Increasingly Multicultural World