Trading pens and ink for bullets
"My own freedom of speech means the need to write, to create, to share, to ask, to think, to discuss and then create again the way I intended, the format and content I choose. It's not only my basic human right, but it's yours also and should be upheld regardless of country borders or religious background."
10 ‘Little rebel, me’ mistakes
Are you a list person? I am, that’s a given. After wasting time on websites like List Challenges, I thought, ‘Well, how about the ten worst things I’ve done since being diagnosed, with a follow-up on the best things I’ve done since that day in 2005?’ Quotes are added to underline my thinking, ideas or just as some way to kick-start goodness in my life. Once the 10 best things have found their way onto paper, I will link them to each other here if you want to read lists for a while!
The love revolution
Vox populi: Turnout: 1,949,725 Yes: 1,201,607 No: 734,300 62.1% vs 37.9% Today, Ireland turned a corner by becoming the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by popular vote. A corner a lot of people have been struggling with for decades. A fear that many were afraid of voicing, afraid of a Catholic Church still instilling that famous Irish guilt in many. Religion has always been a tough subject in Ireland as it continuously interfered in issues it had no clue about at all. Contraception was illegal until 1980, and it was illegal for single people to buy a condom until 1992. There was a constitutional ban on divorce until 1995 (and can still take +5 years to be finalised), and homosexuality was a criminal offense until the 1990s. While…
Je Suis Charlie
#JeSuisCharlie
Wise words
While I’m not a religious person, I do respect others who are. Perhaps with the dawn of Pope Francis, I am starting to feel more open to experiencing religion. It was with this in mind that I stumbled onto a nice poem by Pope Francis that I wish to share. So for everyone, religious or not, this poem is for you. Enjoy as I have enjoyed reading it and feel free to share and reblog. Don’t cry for what you lost, fight for what you have. Don’t cry for the dead, fight for what was born in you. Don’t cry for those who abandoned you, fight for who’s with you. Don’t cry for who hates you, fight for what you want. Don’t cry for your past, your present struggle. Don’t…
Faith in Ireland
Good things sometimes fall apart so better things can fall together. This is the case for people aiming to improve their lives, careers and relationships after hardship happens. Sometimes they get there from the word ‘go’ while others may require more time to reach their destination. Having faith is often necessary to be successful and no matter what you believe in – Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, atheism or any other religion – belief will somehow be present in your life. If you don’t believe in your own strength, how will you be able to convince the world that you really can obtain higher goals? With having faith however, self-deception can lurk between the cracks of your floorboards so be careful and understand that your mind is a very powerful tool. Too…
Christmas Day, and every day after
Christmas Day, and it’s a great one so far. Family brings out the best in you, especially if you only see each other a few times a year. This makes Christmas even more special, knowing that whatever happens, your family remains your backbone and your oxygen. My family had many struggles throughout the years; they’ve seen hardship no family should ever go through. They survived and came out shining like a star. It did make me wonder though why we were going through so much. At the time I thought we were jinxed, it looked like we were, it felt like we were. It placed a question mark after each time something happened and in the end, it left my faith in tatters. My religion – although already more non-existent…