Angela L. Golez

Question #1. What global issues and crises (e.g., global warming, mass migration) can challenge an individual’s values and ethics? What forums can an individual use to help better understand how to think, feel, and act?
The obvious timely crisis is the COVID-19 Corona Virus pandemic. Poverty is always the root of global crisis such as war and sex slavery. People will lose let go of their values and self-respect and engage in immoral or inhumane things to survive- to literally, be able to eat. The last question is a great question. I mean, everyone is raised in different cultures with different beliefs and values. It is hard to improve, grow and expand one’s perspectives about important issues in life WITHOUT enough actual exposure to these issues happening all over the world. You may read many books, explore websites and attend conferences here and there. But I believe that if you do not immerse yourself openly with people from different fields, backgrounds and cultures, your perspectives will not change. I believe that the openness to engage and interact is spiritual ‘cos you do achieve higher consciousness. I imply this with regards to school, work, personal relationships, community and country.

Question #2. What gives you a sense of meaning and purpose in your life? Share what you can about what keeps you focused on achieving.
My teaching career which I consider more as a vocation absolutely gives my life meaning and fulfillment. My passion has stayed the same or even grown the past 11 years. My dream to have a better life for myself and for my family keeps me focused on my goals.

Question #3. What can challenge your sense of connectedness to others or purposes? How do you protect yourself from doubt?
I believe myself to be a very transparent and sincere person. Many people are always defensive at the start until their walls are down. I am not like that. I am always open at the start and my walls start going up the more I feel that the other person is reserved or defensive—I see this as weakness too.