Standing on the Edge

At our destination, we had arrived.  In the middle of the rainforest, miles from civilian I watched Captain Carl trek through the lush green jungle, swim across the flowing river and climb the rocks to the waterfall, "Your turn", he shouted from the top.   A few brave souls followed suit, through the jungle, into the river and making their way onto rocks via a makeshift rope the pull themselves up.  

Captain Carl had a plan, but he was only sharing it step by step.  These are not the kind of plans which please me, if you know me at all.  The mystery didn't phase a few others and the adventure and excitement surely sparked something in an 8 year-old boy, who was first up the rocks and onto the waterfall.   As I was cringing my teeth with nervous excitement, his mother was cheering him on joy and excitement.  Quickly he climbed rope to the top of the waterfall, as if to win a race, step-by-step made his way to the ledge of the rocks and looked back to Captain Carl.   

What if he falls?  What if he hits his head?  What if he slips?  The thoughts raced through my mind and my face surely expressed it.  Before even the adventure leader could get it out, much my surprise a few words from his mother.  Next to me stood his mother barefoot and smiling, holding Winston her last born in her sunglasses and sundress as if ready to sit by the pool in the suburbs, and out it came "Jummmmp, honey!", followed by little Winston "jump. jump. jump.". 

Her voice shook the nervous fear right out of me.  The happiness and love she wished for her son and his adventure seeking nature surpassed her (and my) fear for the 'what ifs'.  What a beautiful lesson!   Off came the sunglasses and sundress and I too joined the adventure.   From the top of the waterfall, I too jumped. The mother-son relationship sparked something in me, and though it would be fun to watch others from the shore, it was much more refreshing and invigorating to do it myself.  

One by one we swam through the river, trekked through the jungle, kayaked through streams and made our way back to the floating lodge on Lake Gatun, where I contemplated many things.  But mostly, I knew I needed that fall and I was glad they were there to inspire me. 

Jump, when you can.  In the most curious and unexpected places, the inspiration will be there.   I promise.  And if you ever need someone to jump with you, give me a call.

So That's What You Do

When you're 5 everyone asks "What do you want to be when you grown up?".  When you're in high school everyone asks "Where are you going to college?".  When you're in college everyone asks "So, do you have a job yet?".  When you do have a job and live in DC everyone asks "So, what do you do?".  And, now I've learned that no matter the location, in grad school everyone wants to know "What are you studying?".  And those who take interest may even dare to ask "So, what is your thesis focusing on?". 

First, I love answering these questions, as each conversation gives me new insights into the questions that I, too ask myself.   Second, thank you for asking.  Though, I should caution, only ask if you truly want to understand, as my stomach may growl and my knees may quiver, as the answers are rarely as simple are we expect.

What am I studying?  In May I will finish the coursework for my Masters in Peace Education Masters.  Peace Education in a holistic approach to teaching a culture of peace.  What each student does with that is up to us, hopefully I will have a change to blog (and brag) about some of my fellow classmates and dear friends.  Some examples include, University Professors, a few teachers, some going into the non-formal sphere of training and continuing education, but all of us will continue to focus on teaching a holistic approach to peace.

What does that mean, you ask? The National Peace Academy teaches the 5 spheres of Peace (as illustrated below).  Similarly, at UPeace we focus on 6 areas which impact the Culture of Peace (as taught by S.H. Toh), which include:

• Dismantling a Culture of War
• Promoting Intercultural Respect, Reconciliation and Solidarity
• Promoting Human Rights and Responsibilities
• Living with Compassion and Justice
• Cultivating Inner Peace
• Living in Harmony with the Earth

As I entered my studies here, I knew I wanted my thesis work to focus on children or youth, but as with most experiences, I left myself open to the experiences.   The logical solution arrived as I listened to the experiences of classmates, worked with friends to apply theory to practice and even contemplated personal situations.


What every child needs (after their basic needs have been met) is an environment which cultivates empathy.

With a stack of books which could be used as a third dining room chair, I have immersed myself in the biological, psychological, anthropological, evolutionary, psychiatric, political, cultural and educational (say that 10 times fast) views on empathy.  Their is more to empathy than I ever expected, for example the first signs of empathy may be when one baby hears another cry and responds.   We are born with empathy - what a gift!

Even more fascinating than the stack of books (no, I have not turned it into a dining room chair) is watching the older sister pick her younger sister up after she feel down on the playground.  Or watching the husband ensure his wife is comfortable on the bus.  And better yet, watching strangers as they interact with one another in culture of empathy. 



In the next few months I will be exploring the ways in which empathy is cultivated, sustained and how, through empathy, children are better able to resolve conflicts.  In my research I've come across some brilliant projects and some revolutionary minds.

Empathy is part of all of our lives, everyday.  If you come across any works with regard to empathy education I would love to hear about it. 

Better yet, if you see empathy, I'd love to hear about it.  Leave a comment.