The only people who should be surprised by the chaos kicking off the 21st century -- the surge in religious fanaticism, right-wing nationalism, and populism -- are those who mistakenly conflated relative peace with an emerging unity. But the root causes of intolerance were never addressed, so why are we surprised? Let's not be naive. What's … Continue reading That’s What Happens in a Tolerant Society
Everything is fine.
Everything is fine. I'm fine. I say as I wander aimlessly from distraction to distraction, trembling and loath to confront it. But deep within me like a claw scraping at my guts, there is terror. There is despair. It haunts me, "the end is nigh, you will fade into darkness, dust to the wind." "Silence," … Continue reading Everything is fine.
Not my Religion.
A warning that the following might come across as somewhat inflamed and judgemental. I assure you that it's not meant to offend. I'm just trying to speak honestly about something very personal. Discussion is welcome. Nothing can distance me from my religious convictions quite like a walk in the city. This is not a misanthropic statement. I'm … Continue reading Not my Religion.
Thoughts on Parenting and Autonomy
Despite the calm, collected, and polished image of family life that I flaunt in my digital persona, I can assure you that our reality is entirely ordinary. We are a family: a yelling, fighting, struggling, crying, laughing, failing, winning, striving, totally-unsure-of-what-to-do-next kind of family. Now that you know how ordinary we are, I want to … Continue reading Thoughts on Parenting and Autonomy
The Assumption of Immortality
Last night I sat in a circle of souls gathered around a mother who had just lost her son, Feras. He was young. His passing was unexpected. This circle of companions grieved together through prayer, stories, and song. A lingering embrace now-and-then to express words of consolation in whispered tones. And I listened as my … Continue reading The Assumption of Immortality
