Blog – Page 3 – Ken Reiman

Jun

2020

How Writing Can Change the World

Writing inspires people to read. Reading can inspire people to feel a certain way. Those feelings can translate into thoughts. Those thoughts ultimately lead to actions. Every change begins with a vision. When you write you create a stream of living ideas that if allowed to flow can change the currents of life. The hardest rock can be pierced open when water keeps pounding at its surface, weathering the hurts of so many ages until finally it cracks! This is why I write: to chip away at that hardened rock of human indifference, prejudice, and intolerance. Writing exposes people to new worlds and perspectives and uncomfortable truths. Yet, it is only through exposing these truths that healing can begin. Write to unite. Write to challenge. Write to inspire. For one day it might be your idea that changes the world!

Jun

2020

Rocking Burkinabe Masks in Response to COVID

What better way to promote health, diversity, and creative arts than making custom masks. We used fabric we bought in Burkina Faso, West Africa to make masks for the family. So far the family loves wearing them. What custom masks are you wearing/making these days? Would love to see what unique and creative designs are out there.

May

2020

Helping the Homeless and Urban Poor

What a day to be grateful for if you have your health, family and a means to financially support yourself and loved ones. Not everyone is so fortunate. It is a blessing to be able to share one’s wealth and knowledge to alleviate in some way the pain and suffering of others. The spirit of volunteerism is also very American and alive and well. It is a spirit I treasure. I created this business proposal long before the COVID-19 outbreak precisely to see how I could assist the urban homeless in Japan. Why? The homeless aren’t someone else’s problem. They are us. They are human. It is never too late to reaffirm our common humanity through kindness and acts of charity. I hope one day some brave soul will take this business proposal and implement it. It’s free. One less homeless person on the streets is a legacy we can all be proud of – whether Japanese or American or both. Have a great week and know that your health ultimately rests on the health and well-being of others. One human family.

http://kenreiman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Japan-Urban-Homeless-Project.pdf

May

2020

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

Here’s what freedom means to Persian poet and philosopher Rumi (1207-1273). What do you think?

Take someone who doesn’t keep score, who’s not looking to be richer, or afraid of losing, who has not the slightest interest even in his own personality: he’s free. – Rumi

May

2020

Happy Vesak Day!

Today is a sacred day for millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on this day two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that Siddhartha Gautama was born. While he is known to have many wise sayings and teachings, here are two of my favorites:

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

When you move your focus from competition to contribution life becomes a celebration. Never try to defeat people just win their hearts.

May

2020

Modesty in Nature and in Life – Happy Weekend

Sharing some words of wisdom to stay grounded and humble and open along with a beautiful picture of wild flowers.

Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so wild flowers will come up where you are. — Rumi

Apr

2020

Happy Ramadan

During this period of Ramadan I wanted to reflect on the importance of faith, family, and respect for one another. We are all, after all, brothers and sisters in this journey of life. Happy Ramadan! Sharing a quote we like and a family photo. Stay blessed and healthy.

When the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray. – Rumi

Apr

2020

Health and Wealth

Apr

2020

Two Inspirational Quotes

There are several defining moments in life. When we reflect upon what is most important in our lives – it always comes down to relationships. Sharing two quotes by Persian poet and mystic Rumi (1207-1273) that struck me and a photo of two love birds. I wonder where they will fly off to next.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Mar

2020

With Guyana’s Former Foreign Minister

Looking through memory lane I came across a photo of me in 2010 with Guyana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2008) and Permanent Representative to the UN since 1987, Ambassador Rudy Insanally. Ambassador Insanally was President of the 48th Session of the UN General Assembly (1993-1994) and served an illustrious diplomatic career as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Columbia, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Austria, and Japan among other distinguished assignments. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Son, Grand Cordon by the Japanese Government in 2009, becoming the first Caribbean national to receive this award. He was Guyana’s Ambassador to Japan in 1992. Here we are together in his home where he proudly displayed his award. It was an honor to meet him and work with the then Foreign Minister of Guyana as well as interact with other former Foreign Ministers. Guyana afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with the President and Prime Minister and introduce me to other distinguished members of the Caribbean community.