How can we understand what is happening outside our own minds without understanding what is happening within them?

How can we effectively manage others without being able to manage ourselves?

How can we teach others without being able to learn ourselves?

Walking is thinking. Sometimes subtle, sometimes explicit. By walking we change not only our location but the sequence of our thoughts. Ancient Greek Peripatetics knew this well. Modern students are sitting in the class, in the Athenian Lyceum Aristotle conducted his classes while walking on the covered walkways (peripatoi). I am sure, that nicely affected the discussion dynamics.

Walking is observing. People who mostly live online might feel as though they are on an unfamiliar planet with streets, trees, and plants where they might encounter other beings just like themselves. Fantastic!

Walking is breathing. Yes, imagine, that we are breathing all the time. Who would have thought? There are so many other important things we are engaged with. But walking can gently remind us that we are breathing beings. Homo Breathing. And, as it turns out, that is so interesting and fascinating.

To breathe deeply — so that not only we, but also our planet, could breathe. And she could walk on.

#walking #breathing #peripatetics

We think waiting is wasted time. Yet much of life is waiting. We wait to finish school. Then wait for a job, or a degree. Then wait for a wedding, children, a promotion. We wait for retirement, wait for our health to improve. Then wait for something else — something we don’t quite know.

Maybe we wait when our afterlife destiny is decided — hell or paradise. Perhaps waiting continues there too.

So, no reason to be impatient in a queue, or on a waiting list. There will always be more waiting ahead.

Certainty gives us a sense of safety. That is nice. But certainty is boring. Imagine reading a novel when you already know every page. Hm.

Uncertainty is different. It can produce anxiety. But it may also bring something that makes life interesting, intriguing. Surprise, discovery, and, finally, excitement and delight.

Imagine that you are writing a thrilling novel and, at the same time, you are the central character in it. Who is driving the plot — the writer or the character?

Imagine what can happen tomorrow. Do you know? Of course, you may know something, I believe. But still, uncertainty prevails.

Enjoy.

I am pleased to begin a new chapter in my professional life as Diplomatic Practice Coordinator at the University of Oxford, following a competitive selection process.

In this role, I will contribute to the Foundations of Diplomacy programme at the Department for Continuing Education through teaching, curriculum development, and the design and delivery of experiential learning. This includes diplomatic simulations, practical exercises, and educational visits that help connect academic study with the realities of diplomatic practice.

The appointment brings together several strands of my career—as a diplomat, scholar, and educator—and provides an opportunity to work with colleagues and students from around the world while continuing my academic engagement with the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent.

I look forward to contributing to Oxford’s long tradition of excellence in education and to further developing my research and teaching on diplomacy, negotiation, and strategic interaction.