(in memory of my parents and all the parents in the world) — When I mentioned the passing of my mother in a previous Medium story (here) I may have come across as casual and insensitive and cold — but I can tell you that when it happened I felt anything but untouched. In fact, I was left behind as a deeply wounded…

(a tale of cosmopolitanism and traveling the world) — If today wouldn’t be a perfect day to write about watermelons, then which day would be better? For sure, this is watermelon story season. I am so much looking forward to reading more of your watermelon stories on Medium too. Here is a watermelon story that I will never forget…

(without choosing sides in conflict) — When I wrote a piece about us being ready for some peace now, please — I don’t think that I was ready for what happened next. Okay I think we need some peace now Okay I think we need some peace now (and here is how to do it)francis-laleman.medium.com My story eked out a shadowy existence for a day or two, and just when I thought it wasn’t going to catch on at…

(in your family on a Sunday morning over breakfast) — The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. …

(and some thoughts about the art of hospitality) — The art of receiving guests from abroad is a very special kind of thing that nobody really ever gets good at. Where I have lived and worked I’ve tried for years, no, for decades. Sharing with guests not just the pleasures and fun of the places where I have lived and worked. But the deeper layers…

(and here is how to do it) — Okay. We have robbed them of the orchards of their forefathers. We have stolen from them their houses and everything they had. …

(first snowflakes, hesitant appearance, a softly trodden path, leaving traces, and then not) — With the DAO project, we are aiming at the natural emergence of a global community of Agile practitioners — where gently sharing ideas and practice is common, where words are softspoken and actions thoughtfully done, and where minds meet without the urgency of being likeminded. When Noel read The DAO project has been…

(How to go Dutch with Clean Language) — Michael Oskam & Madelon Sinnige Clean Language: Taal van aandacht voor verandering en groei Boom, 2023 [Please note that, exceptionally, the present article is in Dutch] Het is verleidelijk om Clean Language te vertalen als schone taal of klare taal — ook al geeft geen van deze adjectieven weer waar…

(what’s on and what now, seen from a reader’s perspective) — Medium has long been a platform for writers to connect with a curious and engaged audience. As a writer, I have been a happy contributor for some time now. But wait a minute. I am not afraid of ChatGTP Unlike many other writers, when AI language models appeared for mass use, such as ChatGTP in the…