Reflecting on “well-meaning” advice about my biracial relationship — “What you’re going through now is what people in biracial relationships experienced here in America over half a century ago,” I was told by a very wise and dear American friend when I shared with her how people around me were reacting to my new relationship. I am white and…

“I’m just going out to get juice,” he said — It was a happy afternoon. He cooked, we shared stories and jokes, we listened to music. By habit and by nature, he ended up with food for more than two people. …

And get governments removed from power — I will take you to a place you don’t want to visit but bear with me. We’ll have a peek behind the Iron Curtain. Namely, a small and proud country on the Balkans that has felt torn between the West and the East for centuries. …

What I learned after my life was turned upside down — In November 2020, I was looking at a cool new planner I had bought for the upcoming year and decided to try something different with goal-setting. In the past, I would set my goals as if I was taking dictation. I wrote down things I thought I should do or…

Yes, there is a way to do it and I will tell you exactly what it is — Full disclosure: I’m white but not the right kind of white. I’m Eastern European, which in the age-old game of “Who’s More Superior” passes as barely-white. Still, Eastern Europeans and Slavs are proud participants in this game and have achieved incredible feats in racism. In my home country, Bulgaria, you…

It makes us look bad. Have some sympathy — In the past months, I befriended a Roma community. In my country, Bulgaria, as well as in the rest of Europe, the Romani are the most marginalized and persecuted ethnic minority. They’ve been murdered, burned, shot, hanged, beaten up, tortured, chased away, imprisoned, enslaved. I, as a white person, was…

And find your way back to life — Yes, we live in unprecedented times. Yes, we’re all ridden by a neurosis or two. Yes, the economy is sinking, the wildlife is dying, and the air of doom is hanging over us all. Feeling hopelessness and despair is normal. Feeling like you alone can’t change anything — so what’s…

Even though there are many other examples of pure evil — Many things existed before Hitler came into power. Here are a few. Racism Bigotry The desire of human beings to feel superior to others Genocide Internment in labor and death camps Dictatorships and tyranny Hunger for war, glory, and conquest Cruelty Systemic dehumanization of others All of these have existed…

I haven’t had to worry about him for 12 years but I did have to worry about myself. — Mondays always stood out in my relationship with my ex. He was addicted to diazepam and would take a dozen pills once a week — on a Monday. Initially, I dreaded Mondays. The diazepam removed all personality from him — he was blank, idle, barely conscious. …