Gift Economy in Angola

Gift Economy in Angola

Sometimes in Angola, additional payments are helpful for facilitating certain bureaucratic procedures.  The other day, as we entered the province where the farm is, an immigration official needed to register my presence.  It was no big deal, took less than 5 minutes,...
Control

Control

I have come to realize that the need to control outcomes is a symptom of fear.  Fear is obviously a lack of trust.  If I trust that all will be fine, I don’t have fear and I don’t feel a need to control the outcome.  As I realize this, I realize how often...
Gratitude

Gratitude

I have long heard (and believed) that a regular practice of gratitude is a good thing.  It makes a lot of sense – in my head.  First, there is the whole idea of where you put your energy tends to make that thing bigger.  So, if I put my energy on negative things...
Nuggets of Wisdom

Nuggets of Wisdom

I read a lot of self-help books, spiritual books, new agey idea books.  More recently I have started listening to podcasts that reflect my interests, reinforce my belief systems, or present me with new ideas that deepen my current beliefs.  I’m constantly coming...