Peace within the Paradox By Carolina Sagebin Allen This month’s tenet, “We are each unique and innately worthy of respect,” can present a paradox of seeing each person as unique, yet feeling knit together in unity as we appreciate one another’s uniqueness. We feel that each individual is part of a single mortal family. We…
I have a basket of seashells I purchased from a vendor when I was on vacation nearly 20 years ago. They have varying shapes, sizes, and colors. That is why I love them. Some are similar, but none are exactly the same. If they were all the same, they would not be as beautiful. It…
Someone cuts you off in traffic. Your first response is anger, but then you see that sign: “Student Driver.” Because you recognize the driver’s inexperience and likely trepidation, you shrug and remember some of your first experiences behind the wheel. In a sense, you take a glimpse of the driver’s heart and see this young…
While at CSW in 2018, we were able to meet Ayo and Vera, representatives from the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI). GPI is a female youth development organization to assist in the socialization of girls for the realization of a future where women are visible and valued participants in Nigerian society. The GPI program strategies and…
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Here is a story for you. I walked into the museum early, before the sun was up, before the air had warmed, before the presence of others marred the still quiet contemplation that you can find in the presence of great art and the absence of great noise. The gallery was almost deserted, and I…
We live in a time of confusion and contradiction. We live in an age when we are bombarded with calls to respect a specific group of people or a cause. There are public campaigns to respect women, to respect people of different races or ethnicities, to have respect for our environment and respect for human…
Kim Landeen comes to Big Ocean with a special interest in protecting the family. This desire has been intensified as she and her husband Allen have been professional foster parents to 13 little boys over the last 2 years. Kim stays busy as a health coach helping people regain their mental and physical health through…