As I transition from the “West” to Uganda—yet again—I am anticipating the different sounds in the lifescape. Some will welcome me, emoting joy and pleasure. Others will attack me in offensive ways, stirring negativity and frustration. Others will be processed…
Category: Cognitive space
Converting Confrontation Into Invitation (3 strategies for civil discourse)
A friend of mine—of another faith—told me that she recently went to her homeowners’ association meeting to confront them about the abundance of Christmas decorations in her apartment building. She strongly argued that this was not an inclusive practice, and…
“The WD-40-Guy at Harvard” (An 80-second read on addressing distraction)
I remember well my first day of grad school. I was awake early. It surprised me how concerned I suddenly was about what I should wear. (“You should have thought of this before!” I kept telling myself.) I finally settled…
“Chatters of Glee” (and 27 other things that make me happy)
Once a month, I make a list of things that make me happy and grateful. This morning started out with terrific challenge and stress. Just as I was allowing it to get the best of me, I decided, instead, to…
“Music in the Dark” (A 2-minute read.)
From my African journal: Every evening, I hear music coming from an obscure location in the middle of my village town, Masaka, Uganda. It is joyful music with heavy rhythms and multiple voices in song. Between choruses, there are great…
“Africa in Your Tone” (A 90-second reading on how diversity informs authenticity)
“Good afternoon, sir,” I said to a distinguished Ghanaian scholar who had just joined our already-crowded minivan as we headed out for more school visits in Kasoa, Ghana last month. We then made introductions around the vehicle, and I mentioned…
4 Things I’m Glad I Don’t Know for Sure
For years, on the last page of the ‘O’ magazine, Oprah Winfrey has written a column she calls: “What I know for sure.” Today, I’m doing just the opposite. In a reading for my “Spirituality and Health” class, I highlighted this phrase: “Prior…
“Especially Set Aside” (An 80-second reading on creating space for conversations that matter.)
The music is pumped up on the car radio, you’re driving to a somewhat familiar place, but then suddenly you realize you’re lost. What’s the first thing you do? You turn down your radio. Why? Because you need to create…
