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“Acting as If” and Our National Elections

“Acting as If” and Our National Elections

by | Jul 30, 2024 | ,

For a while I have been gently reflecting on the connection between faith and our desire and commitment to live together in love and community. For me, the shift from despair to hope about the 2024 election campaigns is a great relief. America is certainly proving to be a free society where everyone is entitled to their opinion. Having lived seven decades, I appreciate the ups and downs will continue. With that in mind, today’s post is about “acting as if”.

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Exploring the Gifts of Freedom

Exploring the Gifts of Freedom

by | Jul 16, 2024 |

It’s hard for me not to wonder about freedom and what it means this July. All the chaos and drama in our national discourse lead me to reflect on my personal freedom, and how that connects to my freedoms in the broader community. Today’s post will explore the connection between individual freedom and choices, and community freedom and choices. 

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Editor’s Note for July 9th

Editor’s Note for July 9th

by | Jul 9, 2024 |

Editor’s Note: I hope you enjoyed your celebration of the Fourth of July week! As mentioned last week, in thinking about my many freedoms, I realized I was free to take a couple weeks off from writing this blog! Critical Conversations will resume next Tuesday, July...

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Fourth of July Note

by | Jul 2, 2024 |

Editor’s Note: Happy Fourth of July week! In thinking about my many freedoms, I realized I was free to take a couple weeks off from writing this blog! My co-author Joy Jones and I are doing final edits on our book about Bill and Lois Wilson and their impact on the world of addiction and recovery. As noted in last week’s post Summer’s Gifts…

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Summer’s Gifts

Summer’s Gifts

by | Jun 25, 2024 |

Today’s post is a break for me and you from pondering life’s bigger challenges – structural racism, the 2024 elections, and the many other challenges we face daily.  Summer has always been and continues to be a time to take a break and appreciate.  Here are some reflections on recent summer observations.

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Paths to Learning about Race and Racism

Paths to Learning about Race and Racism

by | Jun 11, 2024 |

Editor’s Note: This week’s post is by guest contributor Mark Docken and continues the question of how do we all work for more racial justice without shutting down communication through “us” and “them” approaches and “discussions”. Mark is a native of the Midwest, a retired pastor and friend and brings a fresh perspective to the discussions.

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In Ukraine, war takes its spiritual toll

In Ukraine, war takes its spiritual toll

by | Jun 4, 2024 | ,

Our little delegation has returned from Ukraine.

Four of us went to that war-torn country, at our own expense, to bear witness to the suffering of the Ukrainian people and to listen to their voices regarding the war. Our focus was on the trauma of war and the mental health of the people, two years after the full-scale invasion by Russia. We also wanted to meet people working with the Ukrainian military, to see how they are holding up and what they need.

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The 2024 elections and Faith in Action

The 2024 elections and Faith in Action

by | May 28, 2024 |

This post is about the persistent push in America for white supremacy and how people of faith respond to this cycle at any time, especially during a national election. This has been among the hardest posts I have written. The subject is complex, full of emotion and divided views and there are no obvious answers. So I am asking the readers of Critical Conversations and any friends or colleagues you think might add to this discussion to help shape an important conversation about what’s at stake in our upcoming national election and how we individually and collectively respond.

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About Tom Adams

Tom AdamsTom Adams writes and speaks on topics vital to the intersection of our personal lives with our community and global lives. He has for decades been engaged in and written about nonprofit leadership and transitions, spirituality and spiritual growth, how we each contribute to a more just and equitable world and recovery from addictions and the Twelve Step recovery movement.