Some Questions and a Creative Writing piece

While in Portugal, some questions came to mind:

Why so we build parks to but up gates and lock people out?

Why do we go to church only to leave with judgment?

A Creative Writing Piece:

While I was walking through the castle alleys in Lisbon, Portugal, I walked passed a lady looking out her window. I wanted to take a picture, but felt that would be too intrusive. Instead, I took a mental image, and wrote about it later. Here it is:

She is looking out the burnt pink window of her home. Staring at nothing but the blank wall in front of her. There is no personality or meaning to the white wall that stares back at her. The wall is a canvas. It is whatever she imagines it to be; a story she tells to her grandchildren or of a mental picture she took long ago coming to life. Imagination is alive in her thoughts and wandering glance.  The lines and wrinkles on her face are beautiful and full of wisdom. It is possible that she has watched passing locals and tourists her whole life from this very same window.

    A green birdcage hangs the balcony above. A white bird whistles the thoughts, prayers, desires, dreams, fears, and hopes of the woman who does not speak. She has made a home in this space. It is alive with personality and the aroma of fresh herbs are emerging from the window and filling the shaded alley. The bird and grandmother have been together for years. No one knows how long. They are observing in silence. There is something to be found in the noise and rush of life, but in silence, there is peace. She has found this.

Some more writings coming later. Love and peace - 

JP Popovich

On Religion and Portugal

On Easter Sunday, we entered the main church in Lisbon, Portugal to observe a Catholic Easter Service. When I was sixteen, I dropped religion and stopped attending church. This was my first time back in a church since then. Here is what I wrote as I sat in on the Mass:

The beauty that lies in religion is its ability to bring people together. Christ preached love, respect, forgiveness, and peace. Coming together to truly believe and follow these teachings for every man, woman and child will pave the way for compassion and love. Religion gives you something to believe in; something to hold onto. God is a name given to the power that is unexplainable. There is a force and energy that exists and that is larger than the human race and mind and no definition is perfect. Religion at the faith base is beautiful. When the politics of church gets involved, religion gets ugly. I don't think you need to spend your time in a church to show your connection. Devotion lies in the heart and mind and is expressed through actions and the way in which your life is lived. That was Jesus’ goal and message. Don't hate. Love.

I observed the Easter mass in the main cathedral. I saw a community together in the pews. I wanted to believe that the people sitting in the church would take the meaning of what is being preached and apply it to there lives. The truth is that judgment still is being mentioned and held in the minds of those sitting in the pews. I can't speak and generalize for everyone. But racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and hate are still very much present in every culture. We can’t tell people how to live there lives if they have done nothing wrong. Being different is not a crime. It is the beauty that exists in the world. Taking the time to learn from those who differ in language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and personality is important. You can learn a lot from these people.

Life is too precious to waste hating and oppressing others. Every human being has the right to live, love, and prosper in this world. No one has the right to take that away or try and stop that. We should put our energy towards living, loving, laughing, dancing, smiling, learning, reading, and being grateful and happy.

Peace and Love,

JP Popovich

Portugal Pictures

This is a post of pictures only. Enjoy!