In ancient days, many castles consisted of three defensive perimeters. The outer wall, the inner wall and the keep. The keep was the final place for retreat. If the enemy penetrated the outer and inner walls, it was
Category / Random Reflections
What do social workers, humanitarian aid workers, substance abuse counselors, and palliative care nurses have in common? Well for one, these honorable professionals are particularly vulnerable to 1) burnout, 2) compassion fatigue and 3) secondary traumatic stress. People working in …
It has been fun to see that the international humanitarian sector’s most prominent HR actor, People In Aid has been promoting my doctorate research. Between January and May 2015, People In Aid (now CHS Alliance) have run four articles highlighting …
My mother, Loretta Breslin (20 July, 1921 – 11 December, 2014) was 93 year old when she passed away. She went to bed on 10 Dec not realizing she would be woken the next day by a choir of angels. …
My Don Quixote notions of masculinity
I was raised on Don Quixote and The Knights of the Round Table as a child. I was encouraged to embrace chivalry as a role model and this has undoubtedly shaped my understand/misunderstand of …
BELIEVE IT OR NOT:
In the Autumn of 1621 the Pilgrims held a 3-day festival of thanksgiving. Many would say they had little to give thanks for. Consider the following:
1. The Separatist (as they were called) were compelled to …
I think the time is long overdue for us to drastically reduce our binary speech patterns…particularly the way we so easily contrast Western and Eastern world views as if they are two major monolithic cultures that stand in sharp contrast …
I was waiting at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport for a flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan when I received an SMS from my wife. It read:
mormor is now with the Lord since 1 1/2 hour. all went well. beautiful!
Mormor (Swedish …
The enormous difficulties of attempting to reduce poverty, build capacity, and facilitating sustained development continue to be profoundly under estimated by the international community. Even back in 1992, Jonathan Moore, adviser to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said, “……
This amazing picture was taken by Mr. Aaro Keipi of a beautiful bride and noble hearted groom (Johanna & Simon) on 19 May 2012 in Örebro, Sweden. I know these two newlyweds quite well and am moved by Aaro’s photo. …