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
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.”
Looking through memory lane, I came across a photo from 2010 with Guyana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001–2008) and longtime Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rudy Insanally.
Ambassador Insanally had an illustrious diplomatic career. He served as President of the 48th Session of the UN General Assembly (1993–1994) and represented Guyana in countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Austria, and Japan. In 2009, the Government of Japan awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon, making him the first Caribbean national to receive this honor. He also served as Guyana’s Ambassador to Japan in 1992.
The photo was taken in his home, where he proudly displayed the award. It was a privilege to meet him and to work with him while serving alongside other former foreign ministers at international engagements.
My time in Guyana afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with the President and Prime Minister, and to connect with other distinguished members of the Caribbean diplomatic community. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the importance of long-term partnerships and personal relationships in global affairs.
The only race that matters is the human race. Helping each other combat pandemics and infectious diseases is the right thing to do regardless of nationality. Even more reason to focus on helping the homeless and the most vulnerable who often do not have access to proper medical care. Pandemics can spread rapidly in places with poor hygiene and sanitation. It’s not simply a problem for the poor. Their problems become our problems too. By uniting together and promoting the health of our neighbors we too end up promoting our own health too. Stay safe and remember each day how precious life is: breathe the spirit of love, faith, and hope unto others.
We celebrate the 160 year anniversary of Japan’s First Diplomatic Mission to the United States, first arriving in San Francisco on March 29, 1860. It was an honor to be asked to present as a featured speaker. Thank you University of San Francisco, the Japan Society of Northern California, and the Japanese Consulate for the invite. May we strengthen this important partnership further together!
Check out the details of the event here.
Ken Reiman is a diplomat, author, and global affairs speaker whose work reflects faith, leadership, and lived international experience.