Service and Volunteerism
I believe that service will play a pivotal role in changing the global ethic that currently is in the world. How I act and serve can not only transform myself and the constituents of that which I am a part of but the community, nations, regions and world to bring about a better humanity a more sustainable solution for this 21st century.
Never Forget their Sacrifice
“The dream of America’s Founding Fathers not only gave birth to a great nation, unique in world history to that point. It also left substantial footprints throughout the world. It set out the ideal of universal human rights, freedoms, and responsibilities and made...
We Serve Because We Are Family
The idea of service has steadily gained ground around the world. While the specific nature, purpose and efficacy of the various non-governmental organizations differ, we might infer that the rise of these civil service organizations represents the importance people...
Han: Transforming Injustice into Spiritual Growth
There is no equivalent for the word han in the English language. Attempted translations include “resentment” or “grief”, but they don’t quite encompass the entirety of the word’s meaning. Yet, it is a central concept to Korean culture and history. In his book, Korean...
Poomashi, Sharing the Work in the Family
Every autumn, when the leaves change from green to brilliant crimson and gold, and the winds begin to cool, families around the Korean peninsula begin the yearly tradition of kim-jang, or 'the making and sharing of kimchi'. From the coast to the midlands, from the...
Loving the Place You Live
Sometimes it takes someone from outside to show us new perspectives on how to live at home. Bahrain is a small island country situated near the western shores of the Persian Gulf, located over seven thousand miles from the Korean peninsula. There a humble middle-aged...
Potential of Engaging Koreas Diaspora in Unification
Koreans in the diaspora suffer from divided families the same as Koreans on the peninsula. We are affected by and engaged in the fate of a divided homeland and often can bring a broader perspective to meeting the challenge of unification. I believe that the diaspora...
Washington’s Precedents
In 1776, America conducted a revolutionary experiment. The Founding Fathers of America set forth an ambitious vision. When monarchies were the choice form of governance, they set out to prove that a government could be run “of the people, for the people and by the...
The Saemaul, New Village, Movement Was Mindset Change
“It is amazing to consider that as long ago as the third millennium B.C., our ancestors’ lives were already guided by the philosophy of “Hong Ik In Gan.” In other words, they sought to live “for the greater benefit of mankind. This remarkable philosophy, which you...
Korean Character of “Exceptionalism”
On February 11, South Korean Lee Sang-hwa claimed gold in the 500-meter women’s speedskating. It was a no contest race. Lee pulled cleanly ahead, setting a new Olympic record with 37.28 seconds. She also beat the previous combined time of 1.14.75 by five tenths of a...