I began investigating the afterlife after the passing of my father in 1997. Because I was skeptical about life after death and had little spiritual foundation or understanding of it (despite my Catholic upbringing), I became curious about what happened to my father after his passing. So I decided to use my skills as a private investigator (my career at that time) to investigate the afterlife.
My father's passing was the beginning of a 15-year journey that would teach me as much about life as it would death. To be clear, I'm an investigator -- not a psychic, medium, or channeler. I'm also not a scientist. I'm an investigator who draws conclusions based on an examination of the evidence using logic, reason, and pragmatism. I begin my investigations without bias or expectation and draw conclusions only after gathering and examining the available evidence. In other words, I look at the evidence first and draw my conclusions second.
In the last 15 years I've had the honor of interviewing thousands of people in this field, some very well known such as James Van Praagh, Anita Moorjani, Dr. Brian Weiss, Dr. Eben Alexander, and others of whom you've likely never heard. And while I can say without a doubt that I started in this business as a skeptic, I have now seen and learned too much to say I'm still one.
Here are the 5 most important lessons I've learned about life by investigating the afterlife:
1. Challenges In Life Are Expected
So many folks believe that something has gone wrong in their life when they experience disappointment, tragedy, suffering, loss, or pain. But no one promised us only positive experiences in our human lives. We learn just as much, if not more, from our challenging experiences as we do our more pleasant ones.
According to my experiences with mediums, our souls choose a human life in order to have experiences that we're unable to have in the spirit world. Because there is no death, fear, illness, or hatred in the afterlife, our souls choose a physical life to know these experiences and, thereby, more deeply understand the love, joy, and inner peace that we know as spiritual beings. Consequently, we learn from the dichotomy of experiencing the opposite sides of what we know in the spirit world.
2. It's How We Respond To What Happens To Us That Matters
People who have had near-death experiences teach us that experience is what happens to us, but it is our free will that gives us the choice of how to respond to what happens to us. Take any experience that most people would consider negative, and we can find someone who reacted to that experience as a victim and someone who reacted to that experience by making the best of it. The latter inspires us, of course, but even more these stories exemplify the power of free will and the human spirit.
3. Our Actions Create A Ripple Effect
Near-death experiences and life-between-lives regressions teach us that upon our return home to the spirit world, we as spirits experience what's called a "life review." What's most amazing about this life review process is that we get to know and feel the physical, emotional and psychological impact we had on people in response to things we said and did in our lifetime. This insight inspires us to be better human beings. Knowing that our behavior in life has a ripple effect that potentially touches the lives of countless people is encouraging to be more mindful of how we behave and interact with others.
4. Forgiveness Is For Our Benefit
By studying after-death communications, mediumship, and channeling, we learn that forgiveness is actually less about letting the other person off the hook than it is relieving ourselves of suffering. When we carry the weight of blaming someone with contempt, it is actually our burden to carry. But when we release them of that blame and contempt (while maintaining healthy boundaries), we release ourselves of holding that negative energy inside us, which raises our overall vibration of love.
5. There Is An Evolution To Our Truth & Knowing
We all have our own truth. This is not to say that there isn't a single truth--one universal truth--but being human, we can only know truth from our own individual filters. Our brain functions, past experiences, beliefs, and education all filter our present experiences in a manner that affects our interpretation of each experience and, therefore, our ultimate knowing. That doesn't make one person right and another person wrong, of course; it makes your knowing and my knowing both perfect, even if they are miles apart. This also means that your truth today might change tomorrow if you have new experiences that add to your knowing. It doesn't make yesterday's knowing wrong; it merely adds a new layer to it, a layer that deepens your understanding at the knowing level.
My investigation of the afterlife has given me a greater chance for making the best of what happens in life rather than falling into victimhood. Even in my daily life, I live with less fear and greater inner peace when faced with challenges. My understanding of why bad things are allowed to happen to innocent people--children included--helps me to focus my compassion on their suffering rather than get paralyzed by blame, fear, and judgment. And it is this understanding that I wish for you and others.
In the end, rather than take my word (or anyone else's) regarding life or death, I encourage you to become your own afterlife investigator, gather your own evidence, and then draw your own conclusions. After all, this is your life experience. I merely share my own to help you recognize the possibilities.
-- Bob Olson, Private investigator, host of AfterlifeTV.com and author of 'Answers About the Afterlife'
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
denominators to long life
Why do some people live long healthy lives while others seem to fall ill early and often and then succumb to chronic disease?
Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones and National Geographic Fellow, traveled across the globe to find the secret behind longevity. Blue Zones are regions in the world where people report an enhanced quality of life and have a better chance of living to a ripe old age. Buettner found that while genetics still play a major role, there are a host of specific lifestyle factors that are achievable and make a difference.
Buettner discovered nine evidence-based common denominators that helped people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than people in the United States:
» Move naturally: The world's longest-lived people don't lift weights or do marathons. Instead, they live in environments where they're constantly encouraged to move without thinking about it.
» Purpose: Wake up with purpose each day and add up to seven years of longevity.
» Down shift: Establish an enjoyable and convenient schedule outside of work such as yoga, hiking, ocean activities or meditation.
» 80 percent rule: Eat mindfully, chew well and stop eating when 80 percent full.
» Plant slant: Eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for local and organic, and when possible, get to the farmers markets.
» Wine at 5: One to two glasses of wine can reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
» Keep the faith: Research shows that attending a faith-based activity with others four times per month can add 4 to 14 years of life expectancy.
» Loved ones first: Invest time with ohana and add up to six years to your life.
» Like-minded company: Surrounding yourself with others who will support healthy behaviors matters.
Blue Zones Project Hawaii, recently brought to the islands by Hawaii Medical Services Association, is a communitywide initiative designed to facilitate healthy outcomes through permanent changes to the environment, public policy and social networks. Blue Zones Project works with citizens, businesses, government, schools, grocery stores and restaurants in an effort to transform the community into a healthier place to live, work and play. The initiative is based on the assumption that a better quality of life will result in higher productivity and reduced need for health care services.
The Blue Zones Project is a cornerstone of HMSA's focus on wellness. Mike Gold, HMSA's president and chief executive officer, believes that programs like the Blue Zones Project are the way to drive sustainable changes in behavior and health care practices that result in improved health and better control of health care costs. For example, in mainland communities that have been certified as Blue Zones, people take an active role in eating better and exercising more and become more engaged in improving their health and well-being.
At Manakai O Malama's Patient Centered Medical Home, patients who take an active role and become engaged in preventive care and healthy lifestyle practices lose weight, improve cardiovascular health and tend to have better mental health. They are also able to minimize the frequency and severity of chronic disease.
By making our community a better place to live, work and recreate, Hawaii has the potential to lower rates of obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes and heart disease. Hawaii consistently ranks as one of the healthiest states in the nation in overall well-being, as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, but in 2013 the state dropped to eighth from its top spot in 2012. Fostering healthy communities depends on an ongoing collaborative effort among all concerned.
The traditions practiced by long-lived people in Blue Zones are also consistent with ancient Hawaiian values such as kuleana, meaning responsibility or concern, and ohana, which depicts the family unit. The intention of the Blue Zones Project is to create the conditions for each member of our community to engage in healthy living and to enjoy a long, vibrant life.
Ira “Kawika” Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com.
Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones and National Geographic Fellow, traveled across the globe to find the secret behind longevity. Blue Zones are regions in the world where people report an enhanced quality of life and have a better chance of living to a ripe old age. Buettner found that while genetics still play a major role, there are a host of specific lifestyle factors that are achievable and make a difference.
Buettner discovered nine evidence-based common denominators that helped people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than people in the United States:
» Move naturally: The world's longest-lived people don't lift weights or do marathons. Instead, they live in environments where they're constantly encouraged to move without thinking about it.
» Purpose: Wake up with purpose each day and add up to seven years of longevity.
» Down shift: Establish an enjoyable and convenient schedule outside of work such as yoga, hiking, ocean activities or meditation.
» 80 percent rule: Eat mindfully, chew well and stop eating when 80 percent full.
» Plant slant: Eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for local and organic, and when possible, get to the farmers markets.
» Wine at 5: One to two glasses of wine can reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
» Keep the faith: Research shows that attending a faith-based activity with others four times per month can add 4 to 14 years of life expectancy.
» Loved ones first: Invest time with ohana and add up to six years to your life.
» Like-minded company: Surrounding yourself with others who will support healthy behaviors matters.
Blue Zones Project Hawaii, recently brought to the islands by Hawaii Medical Services Association, is a communitywide initiative designed to facilitate healthy outcomes through permanent changes to the environment, public policy and social networks. Blue Zones Project works with citizens, businesses, government, schools, grocery stores and restaurants in an effort to transform the community into a healthier place to live, work and play. The initiative is based on the assumption that a better quality of life will result in higher productivity and reduced need for health care services.
The Blue Zones Project is a cornerstone of HMSA's focus on wellness. Mike Gold, HMSA's president and chief executive officer, believes that programs like the Blue Zones Project are the way to drive sustainable changes in behavior and health care practices that result in improved health and better control of health care costs. For example, in mainland communities that have been certified as Blue Zones, people take an active role in eating better and exercising more and become more engaged in improving their health and well-being.
At Manakai O Malama's Patient Centered Medical Home, patients who take an active role and become engaged in preventive care and healthy lifestyle practices lose weight, improve cardiovascular health and tend to have better mental health. They are also able to minimize the frequency and severity of chronic disease.
By making our community a better place to live, work and recreate, Hawaii has the potential to lower rates of obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes and heart disease. Hawaii consistently ranks as one of the healthiest states in the nation in overall well-being, as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, but in 2013 the state dropped to eighth from its top spot in 2012. Fostering healthy communities depends on an ongoing collaborative effort among all concerned.
The traditions practiced by long-lived people in Blue Zones are also consistent with ancient Hawaiian values such as kuleana, meaning responsibility or concern, and ohana, which depicts the family unit. The intention of the Blue Zones Project is to create the conditions for each member of our community to engage in healthy living and to enjoy a long, vibrant life.
Ira “Kawika” Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Marvel settles with the family of Jack Kirby
[9/2/16] The Atlantic has written an in-depth piece regarding Jack Kirby and his battle with Marvel for the rights of his creations. [via tyoung on facebook]
Facebook had this related story of Jack Kirby's 10 greatest creations.
*** [9/26/14]
Marvel has settled a lawsuit bound for the Supreme Court that pitted the comic-book company against the family of the artist who helped create such iconic superheros as Spider-Man, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.
Heirs of Jack Kirby, who worked at Marvel alongside Stan Lee in the 1960s and died in 1994, wanted to terminate Marvel's copyrights from 2014 through 2019 to comics published from 1958 to 1963. But Marvel argued that since Kirby created the characters while working for Marvel, the characters belong to the company.
The case went to court, and in 2011 U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon concluded the work was done "for hire," a legal term that rendered the heirs' claims invalid.
She said the 1909 copyright law that applies to the case presumed that Marvel was considered the author and owner of Kirby's creations because the characters were made at Marvel's expense.
An appeals court agreed, and in August a federal appeals court rejected an ownership claim by the Kirby family. The case had been set to go to the Supreme Court.
"Marvel and the family of Jack Kirby have amicably resolved their legal disputes, and are looking forward to advancing their shared goal of honoring Mr. Kirby's significant role in Marvel's history," Marvel and the Kirby family said in a joint statement. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Comics in the case included "The Fantastic Four," ''The Mighty Thor," ''The X-Men," ''The Avengers," ''Ant-Man," ''Nick Fury" and "The Rawhide Kid."
Facebook had this related story of Jack Kirby's 10 greatest creations.
*** [9/26/14]
Marvel has settled a lawsuit bound for the Supreme Court that pitted the comic-book company against the family of the artist who helped create such iconic superheros as Spider-Man, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.
Heirs of Jack Kirby, who worked at Marvel alongside Stan Lee in the 1960s and died in 1994, wanted to terminate Marvel's copyrights from 2014 through 2019 to comics published from 1958 to 1963. But Marvel argued that since Kirby created the characters while working for Marvel, the characters belong to the company.
The case went to court, and in 2011 U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon concluded the work was done "for hire," a legal term that rendered the heirs' claims invalid.
She said the 1909 copyright law that applies to the case presumed that Marvel was considered the author and owner of Kirby's creations because the characters were made at Marvel's expense.
An appeals court agreed, and in August a federal appeals court rejected an ownership claim by the Kirby family. The case had been set to go to the Supreme Court.
"Marvel and the family of Jack Kirby have amicably resolved their legal disputes, and are looking forward to advancing their shared goal of honoring Mr. Kirby's significant role in Marvel's history," Marvel and the Kirby family said in a joint statement. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Comics in the case included "The Fantastic Four," ''The Mighty Thor," ''The X-Men," ''The Avengers," ''Ant-Man," ''Nick Fury" and "The Rawhide Kid."
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Guns, Germs and Steel
Finally finished watching this on Netflix. Quite interesting. Too bad it's expiring in a day.
Well I guess you can still catch it on youtube. (The video on this playlist looks superior.) Also available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video, if you want high quality with captions (and be assured of future availability).
What's it about?
Well it was actually first a book and I watched the documentary based on the book. It's Jared Diamonds theory on how world history (in this case, European imperialism -- the explorere were not nice people) was shaped by three main factor: guns, germs and steel. But actually there seems to be one overriding factor: geography.
Here's wikipedia's quick summary:
The book attempts to explain why Eurasian civilizations (including North Africa) have survived and conquered others, while arguing against the idea that Eurasian hegemony is due to any form of Eurasian intellectual, moral or inherent genetic superiority. Diamond argues that the gaps in power and technology between human societies originate in environmental differences, which are amplified by various positive feedback loops. When cultural or genetic differences have favored Eurasians (for example, written language or the development among Eurasians of resistance to endemic diseases), he asserts that these advantages occurred because of the influence of geography on societies and cultures, and were not inherent in the Eurasian genomes.
You can see more on this site on pbs.
Well I guess you can still catch it on youtube. (The video on this playlist looks superior.) Also available on DVD and Amazon Instant Video, if you want high quality with captions (and be assured of future availability).
What's it about?
Well it was actually first a book and I watched the documentary based on the book. It's Jared Diamonds theory on how world history (in this case, European imperialism -- the explorere were not nice people) was shaped by three main factor: guns, germs and steel. But actually there seems to be one overriding factor: geography.
Here's wikipedia's quick summary:
The book attempts to explain why Eurasian civilizations (including North Africa) have survived and conquered others, while arguing against the idea that Eurasian hegemony is due to any form of Eurasian intellectual, moral or inherent genetic superiority. Diamond argues that the gaps in power and technology between human societies originate in environmental differences, which are amplified by various positive feedback loops. When cultural or genetic differences have favored Eurasians (for example, written language or the development among Eurasians of resistance to endemic diseases), he asserts that these advantages occurred because of the influence of geography on societies and cultures, and were not inherent in the Eurasian genomes.
You can see more on this site on pbs.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
spanking and discipline
Colin Cowherd is talking about spanking and discipline saying spanking doesn't create discipline (not a single study shows that). Spanking leads to more spanking.
OK, let me look it. Here's the first article that came up when googling spanking and discipline from Time Magazine by Dr. Jared Pingleton.
NFL running back Adrian Peterson’s recent arrest for allegedly abusing his four-year-old son has once again sparked the debate over whether spanking is an appropriate form of discipline. Though some contend any form of physical correction equates to child abuse, there is a giant chasm between a mild spanking properly administered out of love and an out-of-control adult venting their emotions by physically abusing a child.
At Focus on the Family we believe that parents have been entrusted with the incredible privilege and responsibility of shaping their children’s behavior in a positive direction. Unfortunately, each of us enters this world with desires that are selfish, unkind, and harmful to others and ourselves. Spanking, then, can be one effective discipline option among several in a parents’ tool chest as they seek to steer their children away from negative behaviors and guide them toward ultimately becoming responsible, healthy, happy adults.
It is vital, however, that spanking be administered within proper guidelines. The reports about the punishment meted out by Peterson to his son, and the consequent injuries his son suffered, indicate his behavior on that occasion was far outside those boundaries. These kinds of experiences are why this whole issue is fraught with controversy – a child should never be abused.
Properly understood and administered, spanking is most effective as a deterrent to undesirable behavior for younger preschoolers (but never for infants). That’s because reasoning and taking away privileges often simply don’t work with kids in that age range. As children age, spanking should become even less frequent as other types of consequences are utilized. Spanking should be phased out completely before adolescence.
Generally speaking, we advise parents that corporal discipline should only be applied in cases of willful disobedience or defiance of authority—never for mere childish irresponsibility. And it should never be administered harshly, impulsively, or with the potential to cause physical harm. Along those lines, we caution parents who have a hard time controlling their temper to choose alternative forms of discipline. There is never an excuse or an occasion to abuse a child.
For parents who do choose to spank, the proper philosophy and approach is extremely important. Too begin with, as with all forms of correction, the concepts of punishment and discipline are absolute opposites. Punishment is motivated by anger, focuses on the past, and results in either compliance (due to fear) or rebellion and feelings of shame, guilt and/or hostility. On the other hand, discipline is motivated by love for the child, focuses on the future, and results in obedience and feelings of security.
***
from the Washington Post: a number of studies have shown the long-term damage inflicted by such punishment, including changes in brain chemistry that increase the likelihood of depression, anxiety and antisocial behavior.
***
Spanking according to Scripture
***
From Wikihow: In an ideal world, spanking would never be necessary. However, on rare occasions it may be necessary to smack your child's bottom. This article does not intend to either promote or discourage spanking, but rather is intended to give parents correct instruction on using non-abusive spanking in discipline.
***
From the American Psychological Association
A growing body of research has shown that spanking and other forms of physical discipline can pose serious risks to children, but many parents aren’t hearing the message.
“It’s a very controversial area even though the research is extremely telling and very clear and consistent about the negative effects on children,” says Sandra Graham-Bermann, PhD, a psychology professor and principal investigator for the Child Violence and Trauma Laboratory at the University of Michigan. “People get frustrated and hit their kids. Maybe they don’t see there are other options.”
Many studies have shown that physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain — can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children. Americans’ acceptance of physical punishment has declined since the 1960s, yet surveys show that two-thirds of Americans still approve of parents spanking their kids.
But spanking doesn’t work, says Alan Kazdin, PhD, a Yale University psychology professor and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. “You cannot punish out these behaviors that you do not want,” says Kazdin, who served as APA president in 2008. “There is no need for corporal punishment based on the research. We are not giving up an effective technique. We are saying this is a horrible thing that does not work.”
***
The Great Spanking Debate
and more
OK, let me look it. Here's the first article that came up when googling spanking and discipline from Time Magazine by Dr. Jared Pingleton.
NFL running back Adrian Peterson’s recent arrest for allegedly abusing his four-year-old son has once again sparked the debate over whether spanking is an appropriate form of discipline. Though some contend any form of physical correction equates to child abuse, there is a giant chasm between a mild spanking properly administered out of love and an out-of-control adult venting their emotions by physically abusing a child.
At Focus on the Family we believe that parents have been entrusted with the incredible privilege and responsibility of shaping their children’s behavior in a positive direction. Unfortunately, each of us enters this world with desires that are selfish, unkind, and harmful to others and ourselves. Spanking, then, can be one effective discipline option among several in a parents’ tool chest as they seek to steer their children away from negative behaviors and guide them toward ultimately becoming responsible, healthy, happy adults.
It is vital, however, that spanking be administered within proper guidelines. The reports about the punishment meted out by Peterson to his son, and the consequent injuries his son suffered, indicate his behavior on that occasion was far outside those boundaries. These kinds of experiences are why this whole issue is fraught with controversy – a child should never be abused.
Properly understood and administered, spanking is most effective as a deterrent to undesirable behavior for younger preschoolers (but never for infants). That’s because reasoning and taking away privileges often simply don’t work with kids in that age range. As children age, spanking should become even less frequent as other types of consequences are utilized. Spanking should be phased out completely before adolescence.
Generally speaking, we advise parents that corporal discipline should only be applied in cases of willful disobedience or defiance of authority—never for mere childish irresponsibility. And it should never be administered harshly, impulsively, or with the potential to cause physical harm. Along those lines, we caution parents who have a hard time controlling their temper to choose alternative forms of discipline. There is never an excuse or an occasion to abuse a child.
For parents who do choose to spank, the proper philosophy and approach is extremely important. Too begin with, as with all forms of correction, the concepts of punishment and discipline are absolute opposites. Punishment is motivated by anger, focuses on the past, and results in either compliance (due to fear) or rebellion and feelings of shame, guilt and/or hostility. On the other hand, discipline is motivated by love for the child, focuses on the future, and results in obedience and feelings of security.
***
from the Washington Post: a number of studies have shown the long-term damage inflicted by such punishment, including changes in brain chemistry that increase the likelihood of depression, anxiety and antisocial behavior.
***
Spanking according to Scripture
***
From Wikihow: In an ideal world, spanking would never be necessary. However, on rare occasions it may be necessary to smack your child's bottom. This article does not intend to either promote or discourage spanking, but rather is intended to give parents correct instruction on using non-abusive spanking in discipline.
***
From the American Psychological Association
A growing body of research has shown that spanking and other forms of physical discipline can pose serious risks to children, but many parents aren’t hearing the message.
“It’s a very controversial area even though the research is extremely telling and very clear and consistent about the negative effects on children,” says Sandra Graham-Bermann, PhD, a psychology professor and principal investigator for the Child Violence and Trauma Laboratory at the University of Michigan. “People get frustrated and hit their kids. Maybe they don’t see there are other options.”
Many studies have shown that physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain — can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children. Americans’ acceptance of physical punishment has declined since the 1960s, yet surveys show that two-thirds of Americans still approve of parents spanking their kids.
But spanking doesn’t work, says Alan Kazdin, PhD, a Yale University psychology professor and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. “You cannot punish out these behaviors that you do not want,” says Kazdin, who served as APA president in 2008. “There is no need for corporal punishment based on the research. We are not giving up an effective technique. We are saying this is a horrible thing that does not work.”
***
The Great Spanking Debate
and more
Friday, September 12, 2014
Wisdom of the Elders
We’re always told to listen to our elders. That tradition takes on
exalted essence next week as three preeminent world leaders come to
Hawaii.
Friends, activists, students, lend me your ears.
Pillars of Peace Hawaii, an initiative of Hawaii Community Foundation, will host The Elders Aug. 29-31. Three distinguished global kupuna will engage in a series of exchanges on peace, compassion and ethical leadership.
The Elders who will be in Honolulu are former prime minister of Norway and former director-general of World Health Organization Gro Harlem Brundtland; renowned lawyer/pro-democracy campaigner and Pakistan women’s movement leader Hina Jilani; and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate, veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner.
“We are honored to have such an esteemed group of leaders come to Hawaii to share their global experience and perspectives,” says Kelvin H. Taketa, president and CEO of Hawaii Community Foundation. “Their visit enables us, in turn, to share our approach to peace influenced by the spirit of aloha and our community that merges numerous cultural influences.”
The Elders is an independent group of global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007. They use their collective wisdom, experience and influence to support peace building, address major causes of human suffering, and promote the shared interests of humanity.
Pillars of Peace Hawaii is supported by a lead grant from Omidyar Ohana Fund. Pam Omidyar, co-founder with husband Pierre Omidyar of The Omidyar Group, says, “Our main philanthropic goal is to help people have the life they want and to enable them to thrive. Having a peaceful environment is a requirement for that.
“I’m looking forward to The Elders engaging with Hawaii’s own kupuna,” adds Omidyar, a former Iolani student. “We are sharing with them the definition of aloha and the interpretation of ‘ha,’ the breath of life. How do you harm someone when you are sharing the same breath?”
With that intent, we posed three questions to each of The Elders as a preview of their dialogue here.
***
3) How you do define peace?
DT: “To me, peace can mean many things, but I think one word can sum it: Ubuntu. This is an African saying that means ‘I am because you are.’ We are bound together. I need you in order to be me.
“We cannot hope to bring peace to the world unless we can empathize with each other, offer one another forgiveness and work together. Despite all of the ghastliness in the world, humans are made for goodness.
Friends, activists, students, lend me your ears.
Pillars of Peace Hawaii, an initiative of Hawaii Community Foundation, will host The Elders Aug. 29-31. Three distinguished global kupuna will engage in a series of exchanges on peace, compassion and ethical leadership.
The Elders who will be in Honolulu are former prime minister of Norway and former director-general of World Health Organization Gro Harlem Brundtland; renowned lawyer/pro-democracy campaigner and Pakistan women’s movement leader Hina Jilani; and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate, veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner.
“We are honored to have such an esteemed group of leaders come to Hawaii to share their global experience and perspectives,” says Kelvin H. Taketa, president and CEO of Hawaii Community Foundation. “Their visit enables us, in turn, to share our approach to peace influenced by the spirit of aloha and our community that merges numerous cultural influences.”
The Elders is an independent group of global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007. They use their collective wisdom, experience and influence to support peace building, address major causes of human suffering, and promote the shared interests of humanity.
Pillars of Peace Hawaii is supported by a lead grant from Omidyar Ohana Fund. Pam Omidyar, co-founder with husband Pierre Omidyar of The Omidyar Group, says, “Our main philanthropic goal is to help people have the life they want and to enable them to thrive. Having a peaceful environment is a requirement for that.
“I’m looking forward to The Elders engaging with Hawaii’s own kupuna,” adds Omidyar, a former Iolani student. “We are sharing with them the definition of aloha and the interpretation of ‘ha,’ the breath of life. How do you harm someone when you are sharing the same breath?”
With that intent, we posed three questions to each of The Elders as a preview of their dialogue here.
***
3) How you do define peace?
DT: “To me, peace can mean many things, but I think one word can sum it: Ubuntu. This is an African saying that means ‘I am because you are.’ We are bound together. I need you in order to be me.
“We cannot hope to bring peace to the world unless we can empathize with each other, offer one another forgiveness and work together. Despite all of the ghastliness in the world, humans are made for goodness.
Monday, September 08, 2014
you like eat saimin?
Saimin isn’t just a dish. It’s a Hawaii experience. It tends to taste
best in a hidden mom-and-pop shop, where a toddler leans over his booth
to check out the next table’s soup bowl, and tutu teach their
grandchildren how to use their chopsticks properly. The old school
saimin shops seem to exist solely for the community, and with each
passing generation, it's like nothing has changed. You’re sitting in the
same place it was decades ago. As you sip the hot broth straight from
the bowl, it warms your hands, belly and heart.
Unfortunately, many favorite local haunts are disappearing, so we did a round-up of our favorite historic saimin shops on Oahu for those seeking a taste of old Hawaii.
Unfortunately, many favorite local haunts are disappearing, so we did a round-up of our favorite historic saimin shops on Oahu for those seeking a taste of old Hawaii.
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Thursday, September 04, 2014
teaching intolerance
sin is everywhere for those who look for it, even if it’s only in the
mind. And this form of sin can ruin everything, even the joy of
fourth-graders on a school trip to Hawaii island. A religion teacher at
one of the local private schools wished her excited students a fun trip,
but in the same breath warned them against believing in the Hawaiian
gods and in their stories while there. Such episodes would be amusing if
they weren’t commonplace. Instead, they are sad and deeply disturbing.
Teaching children to be intolerant of other faiths (even different versions of the same one) — and by extension of other cultures — is wrong. It borders on child abuse.
Children subjected to such forms of religious education grow up wary of other religions, other cultures, other people and indeed the world.
This view is quite different from the perspective of healthy children. Instead of being encouraged to ask questions and think for themselves, to be open-minded and appreciative of diversity, they are told repeatedly that all the necessary answers for understanding life lie in the deciphering of ancient texts, and when present-day realities of the world contradict these texts, children are taught the world is wrong and should be rejected.
Such a worldview may cause harm that is long-lasting.
What is more, children fortunate enough to escape from such a restrictive worldview may have trouble assimilating into the wider social culture not just because it was alien to them for so long, but because they have been taught that it was wicked and to be feared. For children still trapped in this frightening worldview, Halloween is evil, celebrating Thanksgiving is wrong, bowing at martial arts practice is idol worshipping, learning hula is a form of pagan worship. These holidays and practices are not the insidious tentacles of sin, but wonderful expressions of diverse cultures and values that are held dear by many.
Teach children to be awe-inspired, not wary and afraid. Skepticism, inquiry and doubt can be great tools to give learning children. With them, children can build a world-view filled with wonder, beauty and awe.
In stark contrast, the absoluteness, intolerance and fear of sin preached in some forms of religious education impede innovation, exploration and discovery, and therefore should have no place in an academic setting.
Yet the academic study of religion is important, and not all schools teach religion in such a narrow-minded, fearful way. Indeed, religion is the most important subject of study at college.
This is not simply my opinion. More people love, hate, help, kill and die (and write nasty emails) because of religion than for any other college subject of study. No one dies for composition English. Nobody straps dynamite on their body, walks into a crowded marketplace and blows herself up for pre-calculus math. But for religion, people do incredible stuff, and incredibly stupid stuff.
Through the study of religion, one is introduced to history, politics, science, art and a host of other wonderful study subjects.
Religion, therefore, should be taught to elementary schoolchildren in the same way that culture is: with respect and appreciation for the similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses, among various people living in different places and in different ways.
[now for the letters to the editor..]
[3/14/15 - ok, here's one]
I get sick of seeing Jay Sakashita’s Misfit Spirit column in MidWeek. He must be an atheist or agnostic who likes to take jabs and poke fun at religions, especially Christianity. I think he should put his goofy face in a comic strip and let people manage their own faiths. We don’t need his thinly veiled prejudiced views. What an annoying waste of a potentially good column by a better columnist.
Linda Nicholson
Kahala
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers, the razor-witted comic and red carpet queen, died Thursday of complications suffered from minor surgery in New York City a week ago. She was 81.
As she had done throughout the past week, daughter and frequent collaborator Melissa Rivers thanked fans for their well wishes and tireless support.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. ET surrounded by family and close friends. My son [Cooper] and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother," Melissa, 46, said in a statment.
"Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated.
"My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
*** [9/8/14]
Joan Rivers on Saturday Night Live
As she had done throughout the past week, daughter and frequent collaborator Melissa Rivers thanked fans for their well wishes and tireless support.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. ET surrounded by family and close friends. My son [Cooper] and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother," Melissa, 46, said in a statment.
"Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated.
"My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
*** [9/8/14]
Joan Rivers on Saturday Night Live
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
grow your mind
TEHRAN (FNA)- A small psychological change to how we approach challenges can dramatically change how successful we are at these tasks.
That's according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University who coined the term "growth mindset" in her 2007 book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success."
A small psychological change to how we approach challenges can dramatically change how successful we are at these tasks.
That's according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University who coined the term "growth mindset" in her 2007 book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success."
Microsoft magnate Bill Gates tweeted a video of Dweck explaining the growth mindset earlier this week:
In the video, Dweck identifies two mindsets: the "fixed mindset" and the "growth mindset." Students who have a fixed mindset believe their intelligence, basic abilities, and talent are unchangeable. In contrast, people who have a growth mindset think they can develop their talents and abilities through effort, good teaching, and persistence. These people can conceivably learn anything with proper focus.
"Kids who are praised for their intelligence don't want a challenge afterwards, they don't want to work hard on something, and if they hit difficultly, that's it," Dweck said in a video interview with the Sal Khan, founder of the Khan Academy.
That's because new neural connections are actually formed when you make mistakes. So your brain actually grows by messing up a bit.
People who have a fixed mindset "tend to not handle setbacks well," Dweck writes in her paper "Even Geniuses Work Hard," because they believe obstacles "call their intelligence into question." As a result, these people put less effort into their work and are more likely to blame others for their shortcomings. Those who adopt a growth mindset are more likely to succeed at challenges by staying involved and using all resources at their disposal to solve the problem.
That's according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University who coined the term "growth mindset" in her 2007 book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success."
A small psychological change to how we approach challenges can dramatically change how successful we are at these tasks.
That's according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University who coined the term "growth mindset" in her 2007 book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success."
Microsoft magnate Bill Gates tweeted a video of Dweck explaining the growth mindset earlier this week:
In the video, Dweck identifies two mindsets: the "fixed mindset" and the "growth mindset." Students who have a fixed mindset believe their intelligence, basic abilities, and talent are unchangeable. In contrast, people who have a growth mindset think they can develop their talents and abilities through effort, good teaching, and persistence. These people can conceivably learn anything with proper focus.
"Kids who are praised for their intelligence don't want a challenge afterwards, they don't want to work hard on something, and if they hit difficultly, that's it," Dweck said in a video interview with the Sal Khan, founder of the Khan Academy.
That's because new neural connections are actually formed when you make mistakes. So your brain actually grows by messing up a bit.
People who have a fixed mindset "tend to not handle setbacks well," Dweck writes in her paper "Even Geniuses Work Hard," because they believe obstacles "call their intelligence into question." As a result, these people put less effort into their work and are more likely to blame others for their shortcomings. Those who adopt a growth mindset are more likely to succeed at challenges by staying involved and using all resources at their disposal to solve the problem.
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