We have been in Rome and my camera card and my brain are both completely full up at the moment.  Such a different world.  Maybe that is a continuing thread weaving through my life right now. 

There was a discussion I overheard recently about population – over population specifically.  Two individuals were debating the data, one completely certain that space and resources were nearly gone and the other that vast open spaces still existed and that people were being paid to leave fields lie fallow or to dump harvests to boost markets.  It turned out that one of them lived in one of the world's most populated cities and did not see even a patch of grass from his apartment.  The other looked out onto the open prairie. 

Perspective.  

They were both right, in speaking about their own realities, but could not speak well to each other's.  This is the irony of living I guess, the challenge of it.  How do we come together and see out of another's window? To look at things from a different angle.  To incorporate that perspective into our framework of truth.  This is my personal challenge right now. To hear more, care more, and speak less. To focus less on being right and focus more on being there. 

I will come up short.  Guaranteed.  Still, I left Rome certain about embracing some Franciscan ideals:  To watch thoughtfully enough to actually see.  To listen for the things that aren't said.