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When my dear friend, Anna Rodriguez,, amazing jazz singer and songwriter, invited me to a live broadcast on her social media channel, my first reaction was to say: “Yes, of course, count me in!” After all, in addition to greatly admiring her work, Anna had been a guest on QuaranJazz, the podcast I´ve created in 2020 to help musicians promote their work during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. I loved having her as a guest, and it had been a while since we had spoken, in short: I had all the reasons to accept, except one: the fact that I feel extremely uncomfortable in this format of interaction.

Will the technology work? Will my phone have enough battery life? Do I need to buy a phone holder? Will my neighbors make too much noise? Where should I look: at the camera or at the screen? These are only some of the many little ghosts that start to multiply themselves inside my head, whenever I accept a commitment for a virtual meeting.

I often find myself worrying about the stability of my internet connection, the quality of my webcam, and whether my background looks professional enough. As I prepared for the meeting, I wondered if I would be able to effectively communicate my points without any technical glitches. These concerns, along with the fear of being interrupted by unexpected disturbances, make the thought of virtual meetings always quite daunting to me.

On the other hand, it was an invitation from Anna, so I decided to overcome my fears and did not give up. And you know what? I am very happy I made this decision. What a lovely afternoon!

The idea of the talk, per se, is very friendly (an informal chat about various aspects of the training and career of musicians) and Anna knows how to lead the conversation very well, so that the scheduled time simply flew by.

And what do singers talk about when they meet? A little bit of everything and a lot about the art of singing. It is great to be able to talk about our creative processes, the relationship of complicity we seek with the musicians who accompany us, what moves us to open our hearts and sing.

As I once heard from a singer: the voices are always at the service of something. This profound statement highlights the essential role of voices in serving a purpose, be it conveying emotions, telling stories, or spreading messages that resonate with the audience.

Whether it is the soothing melody of a lullaby comforting a child to sleep, the impassioned vocals of a protest song advocating for change, or the stirring narration of an audiobook transporting listeners to different worlds, voices indeed play a crucial role in communication and connection.

When it comes to singingm specifically, using your voice involves choices at every turn: the selection of words, the modulation of tone, the curation of repertoire. With each deliberate and informed choice, the voice of the singer is not only perfected, but elevated to new heights, carrying with it the weight of experience and purpose.

The more informed and intentional these choices become, the more commanding and resonant the voice grows, creating a profound impact on the audience and the world at large. In other words: the more informed these choices are, the greater the voice becomes.

Choices are not always easy to make, and singing can be very tricky, but the fact of being aware of this need and knowing how to deal with it is the superpower of a singer. Most of the time we are dealing with the challenges of this superpower (with great power comes great responsibility, remember Spiderman’s maxim?), but when I talk to another singer I completely relax, even in a virtual conversation.

It was great to have the time to exchange experiences and to find out that the solitude in front of the microphone is, in fact, an experience shared by all of us.

Maybe this is why talking to other singers is always somehow a magical experience for me.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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Fortune cookies and their enigmatic messages have been already the subject around here, but it had been a while since a fortune cookie impressed me as much as the one which brought the following message: “The penetrating power of the wind is proportional to its constancy“.

I think the first thing I liked about this sentence was the fact that it sent my mind directly to the masterful interpretation of the song Wild is the Wind (Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington) by Nina Simone.

Unlike the well-known Brazilian saying: “Soft water on hard stone hits until it bores through” or its English equivalent “Little strokes fell big oakss”, in which the character of persistence can also be interpreted as stubbornness, the connection between the power of the wind and its constancy brings a completely different approach, after all, persisting is does not mean insisting.

I know the terms seem similar, but I interpret them differently. They way I understand it, while insistence often occurs despite the will of other (insisting on a subject/behaviour that your interlocutor does not want to talk about, for example), persistence has to do with a movement that transcends the object.

Insistence may involve a more forceful or demanding approach, often without considering the preferences or boundaries of others. It could be seen as a more narrow and inflexible behavior, whereas persistence is characterized by resilience and adaptability in the pursuit of a particular objective.

Persitence has to do with determination to achieve a specific goal, despite facing obstacles or challenges. It involves unwavering commitment and the ability to maintain focus on the desired outcome. It is a commitment to a particular path, a dedication to a set of values or goals.

Persistence is about fulfilling your destiny, (which reminds me of another inspired quote I read in a fortune cookie: “happiness is when your actions are in line with your thoughts”), and constancy is the measure of your persistence, in short, your strategy.

Being constant, in this context, involves the ability to withstand challenges and setbacks, to continue moving forward despite obstacles.In essence, constancy embodies a sense of resilience and determination that allows individuals to remain focused on their goals, even in the face of adversity.

Constancy is also about continually developing yourself on your ride towards the destination that makes sense to you. As you move forward “your thing”, you have the opportunity to evolve and refine your understanding, becoming more resilient and adaptable along the way.

Embracing constancy means embracing the continuous pursuit of improvement and self-discovery, allowing your journey to shape you as you strive towards your ultimate purpose. This involves dedicating yourself to consistent growth, pushing beyond your comfort zone, and facing challenges as opportunities for learning and development.

By cultivating resilience in the face of obstacles and setbacks, understanding that each experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to your personal evolution, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and potential, allowing your true essence to emerge and blossom.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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Last week a bad cold left me in bed, feeling like I was at the mercy of a relentless wave of congestion and fatigue. It is not the end of the world, I know, but it certainly made the passing of each day feel like a century. In order to find some confort, I kept reminding myself that it was just a temporary setback, and tehre was nothing not do but rest.

During the long days of waiting for the flu to pass, I realized that in these moments of extreme vulnerability, we learn to value the small miracles of everyday life (who would be able to think, outside of the flu state, of the wonders of a decongested nose?). Taking for my own example, we also become much more sensitive to gestures of kindness (or lack thereof).

The heightened awareness of our own fragility makes us more attuned to the actions and attitudes of those around us, whether it is a friend offering to run errands or a stranger showing impatience in a crowded pharmacy. The absence of a helping hand or a comforting word is felt more deeply, while an unexpected act of generosity can lift the spirits to an unimaginable degree.

It is as if the slowing down of our usual routine allows us to truly appreciate the simple pleasures we often take for granted, like a warm cup of tea or the comfort of a cozy blanket. Being aware of both the subtle joys and the shortcomings of human interaction can build a quite profound connection to our environement, shaping our perception of the world long after the illness has passed.

But there is also another connection that strengthens when we are sick: the connection with our own body. Only when we are sick do we really realize all the intricate mechanisms and the amazing processes that keep us healthy and how delicate they are.

Personally, I always considered being sick an alert. It is the way our body reminds us to listen to it and take proper care of it, nurturing and respecting it. A flu, as annoying as it ca be, can also prompt us to appreciate the complexity of our bodies and the resilience of our immune system. It offers us a chance to reflect on the importance of self-care and the need to listen to our bodies.

When we are unwell, we become acutely aware of the numerous small signals and sensations that our body constantly sends us, and that we mostly ignore. We start to pay attention to the subtle changes, the twinges, and the discomfort that we might otherwise overlook in our busy lives. As we navigate through the discomfort, we may find ourselves reevaluating our habits and priorities, considering how we can better care for ourselves.

And last, but certainly not least, going through a cold made me, once more, admire the capacity of this wonderful machine called the human body to heal itself. I have always admired the power of the human body to recover. Even when faced with adversity, the resilience of the human body is a true, yet not completely understood wonder.

It is truly remarkable how the immune system kicks into high gear, working tirelessly to combat the invading pathogens and restore balance within. When it comes down to it, it is all about the immune system, working hard to keep us going strong.

Yes, of course I also thought about all the things I want to do differently from now on, more aligned with a mens sana in corpore sano stance. After all, we cannot avoid catching the flu every now and then, but we can, at least, try to use the experience to become a little smarter.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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I just came from a three-week trip. It was my first post-pandemic trip abroad and it was with disappointment (but no surprise at all, which is pretty sad, too) that I confirmed my the entire process involving traveling long distances continues to head in the same direction as before 2020: getting worse and worse.

From incomprehensible rules such as having to leave your bottle of water at customs and, after a few dozen steps, having to buy a new bottle at a convenience store (for an absurd price, obviously), to practices of clear bad faith, such as in the case of airplane seats, which are increasingly smaller and lack space for hand luggage for all passengers, as well as the hospitality sector, in which the rarest thing is… hospitality, it seems that traveling has lost much of its fun side, without talk about glamour, which has long disappeared.

Personally, I gave up on understanding what people find so attractive about sitting on the floor at airports, even when there are seats available in the lobby, or the insane fight for access points in cell phone recharge towers at the gates boarding, considering that the vast majority of aircraft have a USB outlet in the seats, but anyway, overall, these are minor though terribly unpleasant aspects of traveling.

On the other hand, traveling can be a transformative, enriching experience in many aspects. Among them, what always impresses me most is how we transform ourselves in relation to time. It is amazing how, simply by stepping out of our routine, we can completely immerse ourselves in the present, making time seem both fleeting and expansive.

Traveling makes mindfulness a natural response, as opposed to the habitual mode of distraction we tend to practice while going about our daily tasks. When we immerse ourselves in a new environment, we perceive time differently, noticing the rhythm of life in a way that is unique to each place: the hustle and bustle of a busy city, the relaxed pace of a coastal town, or the timeless tranquility of a rural village – each setting offers its own perception of time.

It is as if time is fluid, adapting to the atmosphere and culture that surrounds it, and by moving our bodies in space and immersing ourselves in different environments, we can experience a shift in consciousness. This shift allows us to perceive the world from a new perspective. We have the opportunity to momentarily step into an alternate timeline, where the boundaries of our everyday reality are blurred.

The departure from our conventional existence allows us to gain unique insights and knowledge that we can then bring back home. As we return from our explorations, it feels as we are journeying back from the future, bringing not only memories and souvenirs but also a wealth of new experiences and a deeper understanding of the world around us and of ourselves.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It allows individuals to navigate social complexities, manage relationships, communicate effectively, empathize with others, and defuse conflict.

The concept involves skills such as empathy and self-awareness. Emotional intelligence is therefore crucial in various aspects of life, including relationships, communication, and overall well-being, and developing it means being aware of our own emotions and how they can impact personal and professional interactions, helping us discern between different feelings, and using this emotional information to guide thinking and behavior.

It may seem complicated at first, but maybe you know the concept by another name: common sense. You know, things that you should or should not do in order to be civil.

Common sense refers to the sound judgment and practical knowledge that is shared by a society or community. It encompasses a sensible and rational approach to everyday situations, allowing individuals to make reasonable decisions based on their understanding of the world. It is often considered to be a blend of experience, intuition, and logical reasoning, providing a practical guide for navigating various aspects of life.

Ultimately, it is a collectively constructed concept, while emotional intelligence refers more directly to individual behavior, and perhaps this is precisely where the heart of the matter lies. As the collective has been somewhat undervalued lately, common sense needed a rebrand to avoid disappearing completely, and voilà, the twin brother emotional intelligence enters the field.

I do not know if it was a lack of common sense or emotional intelligence that led a woman to stand in the middle of a richly designed colorful salt carpet. I do not know if it was a lack of common sense or emotional intelligence that led a woman to stand in the middle of a richly designed colourful salt carpet during the last Corpus Christi festival.

In the festivities of Corpus Christi holds great significance. It is a tradition where intricate carpets are created using coloured salt, sawdust, flowers, and other natural materials. The salt carpet symbolizes the path that Jesus took during the procession of Corpus Christi. It also reflects the devotion and unity of the community in preparing for this important religious event, creating a beautiful and ephemeral (the are undone by the end of the day) display of faith and artistry.

For me, personally, it is a family day out, where you can walk along the main avenue of the city, closed for carpet making. Perhaps because it touches emotional memories so dear to me, the sight of that woman moving her hair while taking a selfie on the carpet, without caring about all the work it cost those involved in maintaining this tradition seemed outrageous to me.

I immediately started shouting in her direction: “Hey, my friend, you can’t stay there, you’re ruining the design of the rug.”

She did not leave and continued taking selfies with her cell phone. “Hey, you!”, I repeated, now waving my arms. She continued ignoring me. I was losing my Holy War. I needed support. I addressed the other people watching the carpets: “Guys, help me, she’s not listening to me!”, poiting to the lady on the carpet.

Some people approached and soon a small crowd was clapping and shouting: “Get off the carpet! Get off the carpet!” Continuing to pretend not to hear, the woman finally put the phone away and left the carpet, moving away from the crowd that was booing her.

Later, at home, I recalled the case and thought that the woman lacked emotional ineligence. She could have done much better with a simple: “Sorry, guys” and, in a more refined spirit, she could even have ended with “Happy holidays to you too” or something similar. It would be what you call a classy getaway.

I thought about how that woman should solve the problems that everyday life presents to her. Does she pretend not to notice the challenges that life offers her? Could it be that the solution to situations that she does not know how to deal with is to simply pretend that she does not realize the problem? Is she not familiar with the transformative power that a sincere apology has?

I felt a little sorry for her and I hope with all my heart that she finds a way to develop her conflict resolution skills. Or get used to a few boos along the way.

Be seeing you!

G.F.