Lessons Learned from “Nine Years in Bangkok: Lessons Learned
In the past few months, I have been busy marketing and promoting my latest book, Geckos & Guns: The Pakistan Years. I have to admit that this is hard work for me. Writing is my passion and, even on days when my muse is not speaking to me, I always find something to write about. … More My Marketing Journey
This morning I watched a clip of the President of the United States bullying his way through another public diatribe. A crowd of his supporters was jeering, chanting, and risking their health during the COVID pandemic just to be a part of his blood sport. It’s one thing to be a bully. We have all … More Are We Being Seduced by Bullies?
Social distancing and isolation are the story of our lives right now. I know we are all trying to make the best of it and connect with each other in new ways, even as we anxiously watch the death toll climb. We just want this to end as soon as possible. But there is also … More Healing
Recently I have watched two documentaries—one about Hillary Clinton entitled Hillary and one about Taylor Swift entitled Miss Americana. Both of them deeply resonated with me. Hillary Clinton is from my generation but Taylor Swift is barely 30. What do these stories of two very different women have in common? They both deal with the … More Be a Good Girl
How do you feel about criticism? Is it helpful? Does it just make you feel bad about yourself? Does it matter how it is given? Would you rather live without it? … More Taking criticism
There’s always a lesson of a lifetime in every betrayal. Edmond Mbiaka I experienced several lifetimes worth of betrayal during my years in Bangkok. Betrayal is defined as: ‘an act of deliberate disloyalty’, ‘to mislead or deceive’, ‘destroying trust–possibly lying’. If we examine our lives honestly most of us can say that we have been … More Betrayal
As humans we all realize that forgiveness is difficult. Am I simply stating the obvious with this lesson? Probably, but let’s dig a little deeper. Thailand is a Buddhist country. Buddhist teachings encourage us to walk the middle path, let go of that which causes suffering, practice loving-kindness and compassion towards others, and live a … More Forgiveness is hard.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been trying to be perfect–the perfect daughter, the perfect sister, the perfect student, the perfect friend, the perfect wife, the perfect mother–well, you get the picture. Surprise, surprise–I have never been able to attain this goal. Not one single time. During my years in Bangkok this reality … More My Limitations
Since the title of my book is Nine Years in Bangkok:Lessons Learned, many of my friends have been curious as to what my lessons were, how I learned them, and if they had an impact on my life going forward. I’d like to dedicate a series of blogs to this topic. My lessons could be helpful to … More My First Lesson
