Paulo Coelho

     Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a rebellious teenager and his parents committed him to an asylum three times. When Coelho was 38 years old, he had a spiritual awakening in Spain and wrote about it in his first book, The Pilgrimage. It was his second book, The Alchemist, which made him famous. He’s sold 35 million copies and now writes about one book every two years. (Source: Cliffs Notes)

     Paulo Coelho is the best selling author of The Alchemist. His writing style is interesting because it focuses on the existential and spiritual aspect of life. His books are also about his personal struggle to search for himself. Though his books are fictional, it is still realistic and it reflects the way of life. It can make you wonder about your faith, your existence, your purpose in this world, your disposition, and your journey in life. You can also find thought-provoking questions, and questions about morality. His writings are not just for entertainment, but also to share his experiences that can help the readers get through life. 

     When I read his books, I feel inspired and excited. I look forward to his principles in life in which I can relate. I question myself whether I am living my life or I am just surviving the day, if this life is as what it is or is there more to this life that I haven't found out yet. As I read his books, I also journey with him, through the characters, and often find myself in the same situation as them. Words of encouragement, words of wisdom, and words to comfort you saying you are not alone in this journey and you are not the only one who feels that way, are the things that I like most about his books. 

Here are my top picks from his works that I wanted to share to you. Enjoy!

• The Alchemist 
• Brida 
• The Witch of Portobello 
• The Valkyries 
• The Devil and Miss Prym

#LoveWins

    On June 26, 2015, same sex marriage had been legalized in the entire United States. You can see rainbow colors everywhere, flags, pictures on social media, and the #LoveWins to show support for the same sex couples and transgenders. People from the LGBT community celebrated and paraded to show that they are very happy about this decision, that at last, they will be treated equally when it comes to marriage. However, not everyone is in favor of this legalization. There are a lot of arguments about this on social media, and netizens have their own positive and negative opinions. Those who are in favor said that love knows no gender, that we are equal when it comes to love, regardless of the sexual orientation, and therefore it is also the right of the same sex couples to be married. Those who are opposed cite religious concerns about raising a family and rearing of children.

     The LGBT community demands that they should have an access to the benefits enjoyed by the heterosexual couples. According to them, same sex marriage is a civil right, and denying the gay couples the right to marry is discriminating and unconstitutional. Marriage is an internationally recognized human right for all people. All people, which means gay couples are included. For them, marriage is not only for procreation, otherwise infertile couple should not have the right to marry. They insisted that they can also raise a child as normal couples do, and that homosexual couples can be more established than the heterosexual couples. 

     I am not in favor of the same sex marriage. I believe that marriage is only for two people of opposite sex, for a man and a woman. I believe in the holy matrimony, that marriage is a sacred thing, only for Adam and Eve. Clearly not for Adam and Steve, or Ada and Eve. Gay couples can be happy even without marriage. You might find this opinion very offending and discriminating, but these are my thoughts about this issue. 

If love wins, what has lost?

Source: Gay Marriage Pros and Cons