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When I was a little girl, my parents took me to see the Christmas decorations on the streets which, in addition to twinkling lights and decorated trees, also included a small crowd of Santa Clauses. Nothing special, a prosaic family activity that my older sister loved, as did most children. Most, but not me.

The memories I have of that first encounter with the street Santas are one of those blurred memories we have of events from our early childhood, but the impact that the experience had on me was so strong that I can still feel it vividly today, and I can only describe it as fear and amazement.

Fear because they were obviously impostors, trying to pass themselves off as the real Santa Claus. and amazement because the adults seemed not to realize that, if there was a Santa Claus on every corner, they could only be copies of the real one, the true Santa, who would never stay on the sidewalk shouting out promotions for a shoe shop.

To make things even worse, they insisted that I should sit on the lap of one of the fakeSantas and have a picture taken! Were adults really that stupid? Apparently, yes.

If the adults who were supposed to protect me seemed not to realize the danger (who were those men in red with fake beards, anyway?), then it was up to me to get out of that situation. I was alone in my mission to unmask the fraudsters and I resisted bravely, fighting with the weapons I had at the time, crying and probably kicking a bit, too. It had some effect, I guess. At least, not a single photo with Santa Claus. And, by the way, I also learned not to trust people who pretend to be what they are not.

You might think that I was a very suspicious little girl and that I did not experience the magic of Christmas, but I prefer to believe that I was, in fact, a very smart little girl, who was not easily fooled and had an admirable sense of survival.

I certainly did not doubt the existence Santa Claus, quite the opposite, but my Santa Claus, the one who inhabited my mind and heart as a child, was a transcendental, powerful being, and he did not even remotely resemble those poorly made copies that were certainly not the responsible ones for the presents I found under the Christmas tree in the living room on the morning of the 25th.

Probably many other kids have cried the first time the met a street Santa or questioned the profusion of Santa Clauses on the streets, I was just more determined than average and did not give in.

This Christmas, I wish you the determination of that little girl and the discernment to distinguish the true magic of Christmas, the one you cannot explain but feel deep in your heart, from the false promises and the meaningless “ho-ho-hos”.

Merry Christmas.

Be seeing you!

G. F.

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I haven’t been here in over four months (wow!), and there were many reasons for this long absence: screen fatigue, overwork, and even a slight feeling that there was not much to tell, no really interesting adventures to share. But today is my birthday and I decided to start the new trip around the Sun with a new post because, well, because they say that the things we do on our birthday have a lot of power, so why not give the universe a little help, right?

Besides, even though the day is barely half over, I have already accumulated so many lessons that, at the rate things are going, I will not be able to absorb them all byalone, so I would like to share the top three with you, my loyal reader. Ready?

Lesson #1: It does not matter how prepared you are: on your birthday, the probability of something not being to your liking is approximately 100% with no margin of error.

Unfortunately, and much to my displeasure, the universe does not stop to celebrate my birthday (or yours), so there must be some room for adaptation. The challenge is to readapt the route without losing the way.

Lessom #2: Who said one day can ruin a year? This one serves more or less as compensation for the first one. Even if your birthday starts off on the wrong foot, who says that this is a sign that things won’t go well in the next 365 days?

This morning, for example, I was interrupted while taking a shower, and then again when I was about to start my breakfast. The reasons for the interruptions were noble, but it is no fun to drink bad coffee with burnt bread on any day of the year. But instead of seeing this as a sign that things will not go well in the next twelve months, I prefer to think that, on the contrary, by exhausting unpleasant situations right at the beginning of the first day, things can only go very well from now on. It is like doing an annual spring cleaning.

Lessom #3: Do not get lost in melancholic daydreams about what happened. Today is the day to congratulate yourself on the path you have traveled so far, and focus on what is to come.The way I see it, each year lived represents an achievement, after all, living is not exactly an easy task and yet here we are, alive. Who knows how, who knows at what price, but alive. And about to begin another cycle. It is no small feat. Cross the threshold and celebrate yourself.

I know that certain days, and not just birthdays (perhaps for you it’s the changing of the seasons, or the end of the year) have the power to cause us very strong and not always pleasant feelings. Days in which emotions are on the surface and every action or thought takes on much greater contours than usual. Do not let yourself get too carried away, these moments will pass.

The beauty and irony of life is that both good days and bad days have the same amount of hours.

And, a last word, a bonus, if you will: if possible, listen to some tango music. No birthday personal drama resists to tango: they all turn, magically, into beuaty and passion. I strongly recomed Piazzolla for better results..

Be seeing you!

G. F.

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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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I should not be here when there are so many other tasks demanding my attention, like a show to produce, an opening ceremony for an expo I am taking part with a video poetry, a bunch of paper work and house chores.

And yet, here I am, grappling with the allure of procrastination. It is ironic, isn’t it? You might also find yourself in a similar predicament, torn between meaningful responsibilities and the temptation to procrastinate.

The struggle is real, and it raises the fundamental question: why do we procrastinate?

Perhaps it is a coping mechanism, a response to pressure, or simply the allure of immediate gratification. Whatever the reason, it is a phenomenon that many of us grapple with on a daily basis. But I have a little trick that you might find helpful. Drumroll, please: whenever I gotta do stuff, but do not feel like doing stuff, I… do other stuff!

Take a look at your to-do list and check which tasks you could do sequentially. It is not multitasking, but a sequential movement (o, back-and-forth, if you prefer). It is all about prioritizing the tasks that require similar resources or skills, as this can help minimize the time spent transitioning between different activities.

This approach not only helps to shift the focus away from the initial task, allowing for a mental break and a chance to reset, it also proveidesr a sense of accomplishment as you steadily work through your list.

By engaging in activities that bring a sense of enjoyment or accomplishment, the mind can recharge and return to the original task with renewed energy and motivation. It enables a fresh perspective and renewed determination to tackle the tasks at hand.

Focusing on related tasks allows you to maintain a higher level of concentration and productivity, as your mind stays in a similar context, reducing the cognitive load of constantly switching between disparate tasks (what I call the “Where was I?” syndrome), and leading to a more seamless and focused working experience.

Sure, it is great when we complete a chore at the first try, without interruptions, but most of us face a different scenario. Usually, a “typical day” means a lot of small interruptions to deal with “urgencies” that must be addressed: preparing the meals, answering messages and phone calls, you know, life.

This constant juggling of responsibilities can often lead to a feeling of mental fatigue, making it even more important to find ways to streamline and consolidate tasks in order to maintain a sense of balance and focus throughout the day. Creating designated time blocks for specific types of obligations can help establish a more predictable routine, offering a sense of control amidst the inherent unpredictability of the day.

In addition to enhancing the quality of your work, this approach can also help in managing your energy levels more effectively throughout the day, preventing burnout and promoting sustained productivity. Understanding and leveraging your peak productivity periods can significantly enhance your overall task management and performance.

For instance, if you (like me) are most alert and focused in the morning, tackling complex projects during this time may yield better results.

When talking about routines, I know it is hard to find a “sweet spot”, that is, a reasonable, yet doable schedule, but identifying your most productive hours and aligning them with the most demanding or crucial tasks on your list can be a good start.

So, what do you say: let us get stuff done?

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.