reflection – Rob's Reflections

Survival of the Friendliest

The essential human instinct is towards kindness and generosity and that moreover the ability to collaborate and cooperate are essential factors in our species’ ability to survive.

One hundred and forty-five years ago today, on June 19th in 1865, two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and with the defeat of Confederate forces by the Union Army, the last remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas were freed, ending chattel slavery in the United States. Today, June 19th or Juneteenth, is observed inContinue reading “Lift Every Voice”

Opening the Gates of Heaven for Ramadan

We are now almost through the month-long observance of Ramadan. A few weeks ago I came across the following quote: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.” This hadith from the Sahih al-Bukhari doesn’t mince words. ItContinue reading “Opening the Gates of Heaven for Ramadan”

April is the Cruelest Month

The first section of T.S. Eliot’s epic poem, The Waste Land, published in 1922, is entitled, “The Burial of the Dead.” That is the title of the funeral service from the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer during Eliot’s time as it is the title of the service in The Episcopal Church’s Book ofContinue reading “April is the Cruelest Month”

Prisoners of Hope

It has been almost two weeks since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a lifetime ago. So much has changed so quickly I’m not sure what to feel at any given point. I woke up a few mornings ago and realized that not knowing what toContinue reading “Prisoners of Hope”

What can penguins teach us?

Prior to my recent trip to Antarctica, I confess that I had not given penguins much consideration. Not beautiful. Smell bad. Can’t fly. Really, what was the point of a penguin? Now, however, I have a new appreciation for the penguin. As our ship lay at anchor off Deception Island in the Antarctic Ocean, weContinue reading “What can penguins teach us?”