Author: sjportlock

Saturday, July 2nd 2022.

Fourth of July weekend and plans changed at the last minute. We were going up to Silverthorne over the 3-day weekend and staying in a cabin which fell through at the last minute. Disappointed, we began to think of things we could do. The temperatures were hot in Denver but looked so cool in the mountains so quickly packed a lunch and headed up. We have a favorite spot at Mount Evans and so off we went.

We have always been aware of the heavy traffic going up to the mountains but thought the early traffic would be over and it wouldn’t be so bad. Wow we were so wrong. After Genesee, the traffic on I70 slowed down to a crawl. Everyone seemed to have the same idea and it was backed up for miles. After many minutes of moving slowly we decided to turn back as it would take over an hour to go the next 20 miles. We got to Floyd Hill and exited the freeway and turned back.

Not wanting to go back to Denver, we took the Genesse exit and headed up to Genesee Park, one of Denver’s mountain parks. That ended up being a great decision. Arriving at the parking area, there were only a few cars parked. Several picnic tables were available and the weather cool and refreshing. After a short lunch we began to explore the area, coming across a few trails to hike.

We first went on the Genesee Summit Trail which was a short climb to the summit with beautiful views. After walking around the summit and back to our starting point, we went on the American Bison Trail overlooking the Bison Pasture. We were hoping to see the bison, but they weren’t there. It was still a very easy and nice hike with beautiful views looking East down to Denver and southwest. The hike was easy, and we did them both in a little over an hour.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon and only about a half hour west of Denver.

There is too much violence in America.  There are shootings out of passion, rage and hate.  Too many innocent lives are being lost. We hear of mass shootings in our schools, shopping centers, theaters and places of work. It is so sad to turn on the news and hear of these shootings across our nation.  It is within this atmosphere of hate, anger, and frustration that we are trying to find a solution to slow down, if not stop all this killing.

The first place everyone turns to resolve the problem is to limit the ability to own guns.  Take away guns and the killings will stop.  Is that really an answer?  Do we really believe that if guns were against the law, shootings would stop?  That is like putting a band-aid on a major laceration.  Access to guns is not the problem, but the mental state of our society is the problem.

We are surrounded by violence on a daily basis.  People are angry.  Mental illness is becoming more prevalent and little is being done to address it.  Our society’s moral code is disintegrating and we, as a society are becoming immune to the violence we witness.  I find it interesting, if not disturbing, that we are more focused on taking away guns and removing our 2^nd amendment rights than finding a cure to the real problem … the “why” so many have become violent and angry.

Maybe it is time for us to get serious about the reason there is so much anger, rage, hate and violence in our nation.  It is now common place to view and witness killings.  It is all around us and so many enjoy watching the violence on tv, the movies and participating on video games.  The theatres are filled with movies of violence.  We bring it into our homes with the violent and crime ridden shows on television.  Our children spend hours shooting and killing on video games.  What is this all doing to our minds?  Many are now acting out the very scenes they witness in the movies, television and video games.

Why are we so ready to limit our second amendment rights and ignore the consequences of unabated first amendment rights.? It is time we stop the filth and violence allowed in the theatres and our homes.  It is time to recognize that the filth being portrayed is a key factor in putting violent thoughts into the minds of people that they then act upon.  They are angry and encouraged by these movies to act upon it and kill … isn’t that what they see in all those movies?  Isn’t that what they do for hours on their video games? 

Freedoms are not to be taken lightly, nor to be abused.  When acting on one’s freedoms affects and harms another, that freedom is being abused.  Censorship is damaging , but not as damaging as the destructive images and thoughts being planted in our minds by senseless violence in our movies and video games.  Bring morals, values and respect of life back into our society, back into our movies and treat those with mental illness and the violence and killings will decrease immensely. 

There is always a lot going on in my mind and expressing my thoughts has always been difficult. So many times I will subdue my real thoughts out of fear that I would be criticized and judged. I really don’t know where to start, but as I begin writing, I hope my thoughts and feelings will flow and I will be able to express myself in an honest reflection of myself. I am sure many will not agree with my opinions and I welcome any comments and thoughts from others. I understand that there are many differing views and everyone has the right to their opinions.

I feel that one of the challenges we face in the world today is how people don’t respect the opinion of others if it differs from their own. They want their opinion not only heard and but accepted and embraced. They believe they are right and any differing opinions are wrong. That is when judgement gets applied and heated disagreements follow. “I am right, you are wrong”. Really? Can’t we listen and respect differing views? I am not saying we need to agree with differing views as we all have our opinions and perceptions, but what would happen if we listened and respected other’s views?

We all come from different backgrounds. We are in a world where many cultures are integrated. There are many different ways to look at situations and somehow, if we are to live in a civilized community, we need to learn to live together with the many different ways of life. There are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, New Age, and Atheists. We have different cultures and a mix of nationalities all with their customs, beliefs and experiences. I hope as we discuss our thoughts together and share our feelings that we will learn from each other and become more united as a people and respectful of the many differing views.

My desire is that I can share my thoughts openly, receive honest input and develop a group that discusses many of the things that keep us awake at night, that is in our hearts and grow together in our diversity.

August 19, 2019

Life is a journey in which we experience many emotions and feelings.  I’m reminded of a poster titled “How Are You Feeling Today?” that I had for my children with many different facial expressions representing the many feelings we have at different times.  

Some of them are: Exhausted, Angry, Frustrated, Happy, Hopeful, Surprised, Bored, Shy, Confident, Ecstatic, etc.  Feelings come from events in our lives and how we choose to have those events influence us.

We are constantly evolving and changing through our life’s experiences.  Some may say the experiences are either good or bad … but what does that mean?  I am basically a black and white sort of person, judging the events in my life as good or bad, and typically seem to dwell on the negative more than the positive.  But even experiences that appear to be “bad” may actually be good as one applies the events into their lives to enhance it.  Of course, one could also choose to be the victim if they don’t get what they want or perceive the experience as negative and builds barriers and negative thoughts around it.

I tend to do the latter and look at the negative aspects of my life’s experiences or events occurring around me rather than look at the good, the positive and enrichment the experience offers.

Feelings and thoughts are not one and the same.  To me, feelings come from the heart or soul whereas thoughts come from the head or brain.  Too often I get caught up with the brain; over analyzing, calculating, and judging if something is “good or “bad”.  But each of us has the ability to overcome the mind and listen to the heart, the spirit within.  That is when we allow our emotions to just be … where real peace comes and can help us overcome the negative influences that tend to bring us down.  My purpose is to find the inner me; to overcome the negative perceptions I have built around myself and experience the joy and happiness the world has to offer.  Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences, feelings and growth.

That’s not to say there won’t be moments of sadness, reflection. disappointment or anger.  Those too are emotions we all feel.  But turning those moments to growth, learning and developing oneself by overcoming the mind and letting the spirit within us shine will help us enjoy life.  Have I learned all this yet?  Not at all, but as I embark on this journey, I will share those thoughts, feelings, joys and pains, believing they will all be for my best interest and help me grow and walk my path with peace and dignity.  I have a lot to do … but, it is never too late to change, recognize, experience and appreciate the wonders of life on the path we walk.