155 Ideas to Freedom

Idea 79, when enough is enought

2011-06-01T22:53:00.000-03:00

Hi! I’m a toucan my name is tulip. My day usually starts like this: the zoo keepers (nick named cowards) feed me nauseating “dog food’’, then they make me do the most stupid tricks. I can do much better ones but they won’t allow it. They are cowards, always afraid that one day I can leave my cage and take their jobs, or fly away. I’m also afraid to leave after 20 years…

Then, kids secretly feed me! I eat all that I can. It is my secret pleasure. But I always get back to step 1, too fat to fly…

I’m thinking about how I’d prefer to be free than to live this life! I sometimes feel friendless in the zoo. I don’t like the cowards… respect and admiration is long gone. How can I leave? So I started to read this blog… about 155 ideas to freedom… do I really need ideas to have the guts? Do I really need to have something before I move on? When enough is enough? Maybe all I need is 155 reasons to leave? That’s easy… but I do have one reason to stay… what’s the reason? The comfort of the food deposited in my beak weekly… Ok… maybe I should listen to my friends, and just ignore the cowards, keep eating and aging as life goes by… why can’t I enjoy the privileges of living in this fancy zoo? Because I don’t belong here… I don’t believe that injustice is acceptable even when is convenient for me. I don’t believe that injustice is acceptable even when it not directed towards me… Can’t keep my beak shut when I see cowards having the power to give the opportunity to birds and choosing not to do so… That is true stealing… The worse kind… Reason 1 to leave injustice land and to create a place where birds have equal rights, duties and opportunities… Idea 79 is to take a courage pill... And now I'm going to enjoy this beautiful night... Good night :) :O)

Freetude 78, my secret angel

2011-02-07T00:45:00.000-02:00

On Wednesdays, we go to Kabbalah class and everyone is over 80...
So I was asking myself... What makes a person age well???

The process is quite difficult... So... What is it???

I think to age well, people must think that the best is still to come...
Keep looking forward.

What else?
Doing something that you love, for love, to love...
Having kids, and lots of grandchildren...
Having a partner that has one wing so with your other wing, you can both hold on tight and fly together...
Having friends to laugh, to cry, to go through the "growing" pains...

Painting a picture...
A picture that will assure you that your angel does not age... And your star is exactly where it should be and so are you.

Mary Tude

Freetude 77, Letting Go, mary tude

2011-01-26T00:31:00.001-02:00

turning my back to the past

Letting go... Owning nothing, giving everything.
Everyone carries an invisible luggage, a pack of memories.
Some are amazing, others easy to forget.Should we let them go?

Today I realized that they should all go and tomorrow I will blow them away with a smile. Even the most fascinating ones shall fly away. Their time is gone... Time to empty the luggage and create space for new moments. Time to open up. The art of living Now. Time to fly.

Maria Tude

Freetude 76, Buy the pickle or get out...

2011-01-02T14:48:00.000-02:00

Found some answers to the question: Should you find the oportunity or let it find you?

If you work hard for it.. And you don't get it... Don't sweat it... It will find you.
Romy - 9 years old

Buy the pickle or get out...
Annette - 9 years old

Freetude 76 Idea - open a sweet store Make Myshake... next to kids school...

a wave of possibilities seasoned with good luck... where??? freetude Idea 75

2011-01-02T11:21:00.000-02:00

Cheryl and I decided that 2011 is the year of Opportunities.
I love this word. Opportunities sounds to me as a wave of possibilities seasoned with good luck, ready to be grabbed...
But where is the Opportunity? Do I need to find it? Can it just find me?
The fighter in me believes that to deserve it... It is required to look and work a LOT for it. And that is what I have been doing for the last years. Life has been good but that rainbow box is still unchecked...
Can the opportunity just find me???
Looking back...My happiest moments and life changes just happened... Being in the right place at the right time. So why do I believe that it is up to me to find it instead of being found???

I really want to do something that is truly sustainable. That thing that would allow me to satiate my entrepreneurial thirsty, my creative hunger and to check the box of freedom,allowing me to have more time.
Can I make it my turn or should I just wait for my turn??? I dont' know.

I've looked at franchises but it is difficult to justify the investment and commitment with the potential return besides the limitation in creativity. To create a brand is more appealing but a challenge to penetrate the market and to find a worth location. I know that I should be identifying the Client first...
Can't it just find me????

Mary Tude

www 2011, Freetude Idea 74, Freedom Attitude, Mary Tude

2010-12-31T17:23:00.001-02:00

Writing for new beginnings,

Waiting and hoping soon it'll be my turn.

When it arrives it will arrive fast.

Wanting the best in everything alWays, all Ways.

Want to fly to Wonders. Want to play With stars. Want to feel We and Weeeee.

What is in love is, What has kept hearts beating...

No more Wait...
2011 is the Winning of the Wanting.

Welcome 2011.
2011 is the year!

Mary Maria Tude

Missing the Performing Arts Times, Freetude 73

2010-12-17T18:38:00.000-02:00

http://www.odebrechtonline.com.br/materias/02501-02600/2575/?lang=en

Idea 72, the freaky black cloud

2010-12-17T18:26:00.001-02:00

Lately a freaky black cloud has been following me. Does anyone know how to make it follow someone else???? Still in my pursuit for a business… Have looked into Yogurts… while I’m eating ice cream and getting mad about the ugly mean scale that hates me… When is The Day???? Meanwhile I got a find a way to scare the cloud and get a rainbow…

Mary Tude

Idea 71, when a tornado meets a volcano

2010-12-03T18:58:00.002-02:00

“Maybe our relationship
Isn't as crazy as it seems
Maybe that's what happens
When a tornado meets a volcano
All I know is
I love you too much”
Eminem

Love it!
I guess, i will have a WINDY & HOT birthday…
Energy is flowing... The Tornado is back within... Start smiling Vulcano...
Mary Tude

Timetude, Idea 70

2010-11-29T16:51:00.002-02:00

It’s Timetude

             to break free

             to cut the chains

             to escape Alcatraz

             to put my life back together

             to leave the losers & its reign

             to believe in the possibilities of “impossible”

             to start a new period

             to take control

             to believe

             to write

             to luv

             to…

                    Mary Tude

Live the moment... Freetude Idea 69

2010-08-06T18:01:00.000-03:00

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." Helen Keller

When I started the blog last year, I was seeking transformation. I wanted a perfect idea to promote life changes. There were so many ideas... Good or bad, they made me realize that instead of a genius plan, I actually needed to live the moment. Be happy with the present. Be opened to changes and welcome the future. I also realized that changes may take time. Time requires patience... which is quite contradictory to the fast response world that we live in and with my “vivid” personality...

Anyways, I will continue to explore new horizons and ideas with an optimistic outlook. Today I had a fun experience at work. There was one LEED credit that the project is not pursuing because it was labeled as “impossible.” There is something about that word that brings the best out of me. The rebel side awakes… I feel young and positive that everything is possible. So, I decided to ask the same question to different people, just to find out that we do qualify for that credit at no additional time or cost. Just a little example…

Idea: Be open to new possibilities…

Back to blogging… Freetude Idea 68

2010-06-16T22:03:00.002-03:00

Back to blogging… It’s been almost 6 months… I took a long bloggcation… I decided to follow one of the 155 ideas and dedicated most of my little free time to writing and publishing my first book.

The book “Her Little Eyes in the Sky” is ready! Silvana, my partner and illustrator deserves the credit for the completion. We’re pleased with the results. It is the first carbon neutral book for kids. We’ve tried to bring the sustainability subject in a fun fiction. I hope my little readers enjoy it. So far the response has been beautiful, got some amazing letters…

Now, the annoying part starts: promoting and selling it. I’m not quite ready. Hopefully, I’ll get there after the long summer. Workland has been very intense too. ..

Idea of the day: Restart the blog!

Soul Mates??! Freetude Idea 67, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-12-26T17:05:00.000-02:00

They make it all possible.
"Soul Mates" are not two matching pieces, nor the missing piece of each other.

They light the flame of love.

Together they see so many more possibilities. They find the best of them. They explore, laugh, share, and dream...

They enhance each other kindness. They bring awareness to their weakness. They are able to transform.

Flowers are noticed. Birds are heard. Clouds are shaped. The child within is awaken.

Together they are more powerful, yet gentler.
Their love is invisible, yet material.

Together 1 + 1 is much more than 2.

Idea: Bring some old love stories back to life. A website of poetry, paintings, stories, advices, letters...

How was 2009 for you? Freetude Idea 66, freedom ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-12-14T21:44:00.002-02:00

We are close to the 2009 frontier.

What made you laugh?

What made you cheer?

2009 was a bittersweet year.

Many people lost their jobs, homes, and retirement savings.

However, hope survives and continues to inspire us to do our best and to work even harder.

2009 helped me.

I lost money but gained detachment.

I lost certainty but gained possibilities.

I lost some dreams but shaped new ones.

I made true friends.

I shared my time and my life.

I learned to give more and receive less.

I felt growth, hope and... Love for the many pleasures and the few discomforts of motherhood.

I contributed to my community and brought green ideas to kids in Miami schools.

I wrote a children's book to inspire children in protecting Earth.

I kept patient even when the vision was blurry.

I believed in magical moments yet to come.

I felt connected to my heart, to people, to our planet and to life.

How was 2009 for you?

Idea: A Talking Plate. Years from now our text messages will be erased by time. Where were the memories written? How about a plate with a little diary? Every time you bake cookies, pass the plate to someone you love, write and share a story. After a while, the plate will come back to you full of stories, love and cookies... Hopefully chocolate!!! That one is for you, dear Cheryl!

By: Mary Tude

Freetude Idea 66, freedom ideas, Freedom Attitude

Bossa Nova, Freetude Idea 65, Freedom Idea, Freedom Attitude

2009-12-01T21:18:00.000-02:00

I wrote about love yesterday.
How did I forget Bossa Nova?
Bossa Nova = Love
Fathers: Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes and João Gilberto.
Mother: Brazil
Today, I heard the song "Ligia": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H70QHSTP-uM
Goosebumps… So I translated it.
Magic! Tom played with opposites to declare his love.

Ligia
Tom Jobim
Translated by: Mary Tude

I've never dreamed about you
I’ve never been to the movies
I don't like samba. I don't go to Ipanema
I don't like the rain neither the sun
And when I called you... I hung up, wrong number
I don't even know your name
I forgot in my piano the silliness of love
That I wanted to tell you, no… Ligia, Ligia
I never wanted to have you by my side
On a weekend
A cold beer in Copacabana
Walk on the beach to Leblon
And when I fell in love
It was just an illusion. I torn your name
I made a samba song from the love lies
That I learned from you
Yeah…Ligia Ligia
You get close to me
With your strange manners and I say yes
But your golden eyes
Frighten me more than a sunny day
Yeah…Ligia Ligia
And when you hold me
In your serene arms, I will surrender
But your brown eyes
Frighten me more than a sun ray
Yeah…Ligia Ligia

Idea: A compilation of old Bossa Nova songs with the English translation.
Freetude Idea 65, Freedom Idea, Freedom Attitude

Why do people fall in love? Freetude Idea 64, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-11-30T23:03:00.003-02:00

I don't know why...

Ideally, we could fall in love to give someone something special that we have. We could choose to be with someone not as to depend on him/her but to share our life.

Being in love is about giving your best and bringing the best in someone.

Thus a person is free to do whatever she wants, knowing that she have someone who cares and is always there for her physically and emotionally. True love is the ultimate human desire and most of us seek to find it.

Being in love involves assurance. Whoever gives you the unconditional trust is the one you fall in love with. You may have a lot in common. Or you may only have the desire to give and receive a full heart.

Idea: Find keys to hearts.

by Mary Tude

Freetude Idea 64, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

Happy Thanksgiving! Freetude Idea 63, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-11-26T17:19:00.003-02:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

This holiday makes me think of all the joy in my life for which I'm thankful.

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Health
4. Courage
5. Living a full life
6. All the Magical Moments
7. Being open minded & curious
8. Building a green project: MIA Mover
9. 155 ideas To Freedom (http://freetude.blogspot.com/)
10. New books: Green Kids of Blue Skies and Where were you, Grandma?
11. Love: http://freetude.blogspot.com/2009/08/love-that-brings-shades-and-shines.html
12. Website (coming soon): http://www.leedkids.com/
13. Routes: Brazil & Branches: USA
14. Great food, wine & chocolate...
15. Thinkers (outside the box)
16. Making Dreams Happen
17. Arts & Literature
18. Good Luck
19. Scientists
20. Google
21. Poetry
22. You

I'm also thankful for developing an ecological consciousness which is also a spiritual one.
It encompasses the deepest connections to the planet and to each other.
It promotes gratitude and evokes awe.

Idea: Happy Thanksgiving!

“Why do you write a blog???” Freetude Idea 62, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-11-20T19:44:00.002-02:00

Several friends are asking me: “Why do you write a blog???”

They add: “You have: 3 kids, 1 husband, many friends, some charities, 1 FULL time job, 1,000 bills, many hobbies…. WHY? HOW do you even have time? ”

So I started to think… Why?

I realize that I blog for the same reason that Ariel (yes, the Little Mermaid) wants to leave the water.
Ariel's Song:
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty!
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more
When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

That is the reason!

When I was a kid, the world was BIG. Now my neighborhood seems tight and the world appears so small and inviting.
I feel like getting “out of the closet”, discovering the globe…
My purpose of planet sustainability grows daily and exponentially.
My commitment to living fully and being true to myself is starting to take over me.
So I write a blog, while it is not the time to pack up for the creative adventure.

Meanwhile, my blog travels… It’s been 5,000 clicks and close to 1,000 profile clicks in 50 countries. I see the google map getting all colorful. I still haven’t gotten to China... But would you believe that South Korea and Indonesia are number 4 and 5 in views? And my brothers are not living there…

When is it my turn?

Idea 62: Bring the shoe/accessories brand Carmem Steffens to Miami. It is my favorite shoe brand in Brazil. The Owners are wonderful people and the product is excellent.

Mary Tude
Freetude, Freedom Idea 62
http://freetude.blogspot.com/

How to cure lack of inspiration? Freetude Idea 61, Freedom Idea, Freedom Attitude

2009-11-19T00:16:00.003-02:00

How to cure lack of inspiration?

Joining the Climate Convention?

Or making a brand new invention?

Flying a kite or riding balloons?

Learning tango or eating macaroons?

Planting trees?

Finding rubies?

Hiking?

Changing?

Meditating?

What do you do?

I will follow you...

Idea: Go to the Climate Convention in Copenhagen for my Bday.

Mary Tude

Freetude Idea 61, Freedom Idea, Freedom Attitude

LET ME SLEEP! Freetude Idea 60, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-11-15T18:37:00.000-02:00

It’s 5 in the morning. Can you let me sleep? No, I do NOT want to talk. You kept me awake until 1AM with your 155 ideas… Why don’t you talk to angels? Aren’t there some nice places on the other side? Ok… I see that you won’t give up. I’ll listen to you for 5 minutes. No, you don’t have hours!

That was how my day started. My unconscious mind wakes me up and wants to talk. My conscious mind wants to sleep. After a 30 minute wrestle, my unconscious won.

I got to admit that it was worth listening to her. She had a new children story from beginning to end.

So the story is also the idea of the day. It is called: “Where were you, Grandma?” .

The story runs a parallel of light and darkness through the granddaughters’ quest for truth. Where was grandma? Was she part of the solution or the problem? Did she fight global warming? Did she have the moral courage to leave a sustainable planet for the next generations? The story will show 2 possibilities of future and the curiosity of the girls in finding out what the grandmother was thinking.

Mary Tude

Freetude Idea 60, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

TOO GREEN ??!!! Freetude Idea 59, freedom idea, freedom attitude

2009-11-09T21:15:00.000-02:00

Today I had a funny surprise. My boss told me that the presentation that I prepared was “too green”.

If I combine my green presentations with my excessive initiative personality (as per my former boss)… I guess it would all add up to a mountain of green. It already did! Just not in my pocket, yet…

For this and several other reasons, I will continue to pursuit freedom.

Freedom is being brave to choose who you are,

Being creative to keep changing in the direction of your heart and

Invent old and new ways to pursuit your unique path.

May your path be colorful or

At least green…

And at last deep blue as our puzzling planet.

May your puzzle be challenging or

At least or

At last exquisite.

Idea: Organic Shampoo with reusable containers.

Is it too green? He, he, he…

Have a section in the grocery store, in which you bring your container to be refilled with the best organic shampoos (acai, berries, passion fruit…). Kind of a self service station for green organic shampoos and soaps.

Mary Tude

What color is your roof? Freetude idea 58, Freedom Attitude, Freedom Ideas

2009-11-08T21:08:00.001-02:00

Green is taking over me... So instead of working on my “1,000 Item To Do List”, I spent the day painting white roofs…

Green ideas are seldom black-and-white. However, painting white roofs or just making them more reflective is a simple solution for reducing climate change. Dark roofs reflect about 15% of sunlight, while cool roofs send about 75% of it back into the atmosphere.

A cool roofed building with 5,000 SF of area would offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. There is also an energy-saving gain: cool roofs cut on air-conditioning use by 20 percent. Furthermore cooler roofs reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences between areas) since they lower city temperatures. Such high temperatures require more air conditioning and increase their energy usage, which emits more pollution. The combined effect of energy and air-quality savings from increasing reflective surfaces just in the US may exceed $2 billion a year.

Estimated carbon emissions:
All buildings adopting white roofs = All the cars in the world by 11 years.

Go green, whiten your roof!

Idea: Sustainable travel guide or website or a directory that finds and rates sustainable tourism. Kind of agreen Zagat... I’d love to go to a place to: hike, eat the homemade bread, drink the organic local tee, breath pure air, plant trees… Have fun, discover the area, and give back to the community.

Mary Tude
Freetude, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

How was your first kiss?, Freetude Idea 57, Freedom Ideas, Freedom Attitude

2009-11-07T21:11:00.002-02:00

Most of my friends had already kissed. I was an “old” girl with a secret: I had never kissed. Fourteen long years had passed and not even a tiny kiss… So I was determined to end that “kissless” fate.

Coincidently, I had fallen in love with a boy, or more precisely with the feeling of being in love and with the opportunity of my first kiss.

All that I remember is that he was handsome… He also had a real motorcycle, nothing to compare with my tiny red one. We barely knew it other. However, I wanted a kiss.

The big day arrived. We exchanged our first few words and then I hesitated.
What if he found out that I never kissed? Was my secret about to be revealed?
Or even worst, I could be a really bad kisser and everyone would know. Hum… Difficult choice…
I decided to take the risk. If he tried, I would kiss him back. We continued to talk… I cannot remember one word of the conversation.

I just remember:
The outfit that I was wearing
The approximate location: in front of a house
It was night
His name
And “The First Kiss”!!!

Suddenly, he kissed me. Good... I gave him all the credit. I figured that he had a lot of experience… 23 years and several kisses later; I met him on facebook and found out that he also had a secret… It was his first kiss too! Great beginners! Life brings cool surprises. What am I going to find out 23 years from now?

Idea: I’m going to the green building conference next week in Phoenix. I decided that I want to invest a lot of time and work in this area. The idea is networking and finding the best upcoming companies to build a green portfolio.

Mary Tude
Freetude Idea 57, Freedom Idea, Freedom Attitude

Subliminal Message, Freetude idea 56, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-11-02T20:00:00.003-02:00

Life at construction projects is not always glamorous...

Concrete and rebar are not the most exciting elements.

So, what do I do?

I add creativity to the concrete mix.

I decided to make a difference at the MIA Mover project.

It started at the ground breaking ceremony. Instead of the traditional white hard hats, I purchased green ones. I also made several posters emphasizing the green nature of the design. Subliminal message… It is the easiest way to be listened in an male dominant environment. After a month and several subliminal messages, everyone was convinced that we should pursue the green certification for the project (LEED).

Creativity continued… I came up with the idea to account for the carbon footprint reduction as an innovation in design credit (LEED).

Great results:

• Bus trips reduction = 82,683,520 miles

• CO2 emissions = 136,690 tons

• Equivalent Area of Pines = 37,278 acres

• Equivalent American Football Fields = 28,192

• Present Value of CO2 Sequestration = up to $3,000,000

I had another idea: educate children about how they can reduce their carbon emission. We already visited 200 kids and will visit 2,000 within one year (as an added innovation credit – LEED).

Idea 56: Creatively reduce our carbon footprint: carbon on-line bank. Set up easy calculators in the internet for children to build their carbon savings account.

by Mary Tude

Freetude idea 56, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

Got Freedom??? Freetude idea 55, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-11-01T17:51:00.003-02:00

You are born.

You enter this universe with no ego or preconceptions.

You are a unique chemistry of full untapped possibility and potential.

Then the domestication process starts. At some point in life, you start to comply with the behavior chosen for you. You begin to care about others’ opinions. You can even accept those opinions as reality and become a stranger to your core.

The idea of freedom nowadays relates to the capacity of satisfying needs in particular material ones. So you could hold on to a career that provides rewards however it doesn’t lead you anywhere you want to go. You could have friends that are no longer there for you or with you. You could be alone or in an unhappy relationship that makes you feel comfortable yet not fulfilled.

Though there is an entirely different concept of freedom.

It is not granted to you as a privilege or a right.

It is something you have to actively work to attain.

It is the power of exercising free will.

When you exercise it, you ignore the social pressures to conform.

You take your turn at your own time.

It is not an easy process since our fears of the future may try to confine us. But at anytime we could let them go. We can leave the job or whatever or whoever. We can restart. In that moment we have tapped into freedom. It initiates from our own deepest desires and needs (your individual mission statement). Once we leave, our body and mind will rise to the challenge. Moving to real freedom does not mean going wild. It means to understand your strengths and to use them in creating your destine.

Idea: Inspire freedom.

Mary Tude

Freetude

Freedom Ideas

http://freetude.blogspot.com/

Beyond Your Limits, Freetude idea 54, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-29T20:31:00.005-02:00

I was part of the construction management team for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. I’m going to a performance there today, which made me think about the challenges that I faced during the construction phase.

It was the most complex job that I have done. It is remarkable that in extreme situations we develop the capacity of tapping to our inner power and getting the job done.

My lesson from that period is that limits are merely constraints of our minds. You can reach beyond your limits. The more you aim, the more you get. So, you can train yourself to believe that you are destined for something great. With a confident attitude, you will take risks that will bring success.

I will enjoy Gal Costa’s show today with a special smile. I know what it took to get the place built and how the process built my strength.

Idea: Create a construction & art summer camp at the Center.

Beyond your limits, Freetude idea 54,
Freedom ideas, freedom attitude
Mary Tude

Got Choices? Freetude idea 53, Freedom idea, Freedom Attitude

2009-10-28T03:40:00.002-02:00

Yes, I’m back! Blog Wilson, I’ve missed you lately. Life has been a party since Friday. It feels like carnival in Brazil. Birthdays, Bat-Mitzvah, celebrations…

So, tonight I was dancing to “material girl” and it just clicked:
Living in a material world and I am a spiritual girl…

I look for poetry in every instant.
I pursue it in every smile, toast or gesture.
I’m in a beauty quest.

The Bat-Mitzvah’s speech was an inspiring moment. My dear friends talked about freedom of choices to their beautiful daughter. They explained that life presents us with many possibilities. You just have to make choices. Ultimately all of them are good. A, B or C… There is only more or less light. You can learn from every choice. You may determine the level of reality upon which your conscious life unfolds. You may establish the distance between your life and its source.

The only negative choice is its absence. That is when life offers options and you decide not to choose. You miss your turn.

Choose your choice! Once you decide, do not look back. Get what you get and don’t get upset. If all you get are lemons, make an elaborate lemon cake or “speedy” lemonade but do not allow the lemons to spoil.

Idea 53: a fun survival guide to keep spirituality in this material world. Tip #1: make fun choices!
Freetude idea 53, Freedom idea, Freedom Attitude
Mary Tude

Give me lemons and I'll make lemonade! Freetude ideas 52, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-26T22:42:00.000-02:00

A few days ago I wrote about magical moments, which made me think about the following question: can you create a magical moment or it just happens?

My initial response would be that you have a passive role. You are in the right place at the right time. You are prepared and aware of the moment; however you just caught it. You did not create the magic or the moment.

My new revised response is that you can actually create the magical moment. Kind of: give me lemons and I’ll make lemonade attitude.

The first response is more romantic. The wind blows, the flowers blossom, the universe conspires and you smile at the beautiful setting, while your love, or idea, or job, or business, just materializes majestically.

The second one is more realistic. You realize that you are one of a kind. You are a chemical mix that will never be repeated. Your power belongs to you and it is all that you have. Your strengths are like a drum hum that wants to get out, expand and be heard. It has a beat and rhythm that is unique and that wants to go: tic boom! So, get it for yourself. The entire positive thinking attitude is cute but ineffective.

I’d rather work for my magical moment. Easy come easy go. I’ll take the rocky road and I’ll make little colorful rock sculptures along my way. I will create the moment instead of waiting patiently for it.

Idea: A little behind again… Do you remember my parking machine advertisement idea? Someone is doing it. The idea just got approved by the city. Yeah, someone just had a magical moment… So if I can no longer use the parking machines, I still can advertise in the… Try to guess my idea. Good night, blog Wilson!

Give me lemons and I'll make lemonade! Freetude ideas 52, freedom ideas, freedom attitude.
Mary Tude

What do you miss the most? Freetude Idea 51, freedom idea, freedom attitude

2009-10-23T20:10:00.002-02:00

What do I miss the most?

Today I asked myself this question.

I realized that “miss” means: fail to notice, let pass, neglect.

I think missing is feeling incomplete.

Therefore, I can’t miss any moment that I lived fully.

I don’t miss the joy and the treasures that I encountered in my life.

I don't miss the past, not even my childhood.

I could only miss what I have neglected or allowed to pass.

So, I will continue to live with my full cup.

I just hope not to miss this moment one day.

I hope that when my kids are adults, I will not miss their childhood.

I hope I won’t miss this exact day.

What do you miss the most?

Idea: Enjoy my kids.
They are growing too fast...

http://freetude.blogspot.com/

Mary Tude

Have you had a magical moment? Freetude idea 50, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-23T00:56:00.003-02:00

Life produces some magical moments.

Have you had a magical moment that changed the course of your life?

The movie unfolds with the perfect sequence
in which every second is divine.

As if time stops to allow a transformation.

As if every piece of the puzzle aligns.

What happens in a magical moment?

Caterpillar becomes butterfly

Soul mates unite and reunite

Courage returns

Flower blooms

Worrier wins

Love shines

Life starts

In that magical moment, the dots connect and you know deep inside that your time is now.

Idea: Catch a magical moment!
Would you share it?

freetude.blogspot.com

Mary Tude

Are you surprised when your views are not welcomed? Freetude idea 49, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-22T01:12:00.002-02:00

Today I'm feeling so much light. It may be the effect of Rebecca's risotto. Or Bia's champagne, or Colette's salad, or Maite's wine or Dayse's chocolate or Fa's smile... Now, I'm biting the petit gateau and writing…

All this light reminded me of Plato’s philosophy. In describing his “Allegory of the Cave”, he compared people to prisoners chained in a cave. There is only a small fire and the only reality they know is that confined space. But at some point, a “freedom -lover” breaks free from the chains, gets out, and is blinded by the light. She can only see an unclear picture because her eyes cannot adjust to her new reality. Ultimately, she will see new opportunities that her old fellows cannot.

So the free-thinker returns to the cave and tries to tell the others what she learned. Will they believe her? Will the prisoners thank her for sharing the new prospects? No! Plato implies that she will be killed by her fellows. Plato actually said he (not she), my interpretation is that he may be a she… But if he was a she, all her friends would celebrate with a risotto...

Now over 2,000 years later… Are you surprised when your views are not welcomed?

There will always be tiny thinkers and ‘no-men’. If you're on a different path, you can expect laughter or disdain as they group around their little fire. Just don't let them distract you. Keep looking for more light! Make your camp fire in the open field.

Idea: Go on a balloon ride with my friends!!! Get closer to the light. Buy a farm for group camp fires to discover the magic of the flames…

Are you too nice? Freetude idea 48, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-20T20:00:00.002-02:00

Today my friend called me crying on the phone. Her boyfriend ended a 2 year relationship.

How can I help her?

She is intelligent, sweet, honest and nice.

Are you too nice?

In my theory men don’t like nice girls.
A phenomenon I’ve long suspected but never had the chance to explore.
Argov wrote a book about this subject, titled: “Why Men Love Bitches”. It exposes why a strong woman is much more desirable than a sweet woman, who often sacrifices herself. The book has funny stories, however we continue to ask: Why do nice girls finish last?

My humble advice is to discover and to reveal the lively you. I'd concentrate on your own goals , aspirations and happiness. The right time will come. The right one will love you just the way you are.

Idea 48: Aphrodite was never submissive to Zeus. She knew exactly what she wanted. Let's get deep into our female essence!!!! So, the idea is to study the goddesses and their seductive magnetism. Write a guide: “Goddesses’ inspiration: the discovery and celebration of femininity.” My chosen goddesses are:

Brazil
Yemanja – Sea
Yansa – Wind ( My Favorite!!!)

Celtic
Branwyn - Love, sexuality and the sea
Bridget - Feminine creativity, martial arts and healing
Morrigan - Queen of fairies and witches

Scottish, Irish & Welsh
Arianrhod (Welsh) - Beauty, full moon and magical spells
Cliodna (Irish, Scottish) - Beauty and other realms

Chinese
P'an-Chin-Lien – Sexuality and other realms

Greek
Aphrodite (Greek) - Love
Selene (Greek) - Moon

Norse
Freya - Love, beauty, and magic

India
Durga - Beyond reach

Sumerian
Inanna - Love and war
Nammu - Sea

African
Hathor - Love and joy
Isis - Protection and magic

Is chocolate an aphrodisiac?, Freetude idea 47, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-20T00:45:00.002-02:00

Today I’m in short and sweet mood. Short because I only have 5 minutes to write. Sweet because I just had a chocolate. So, I’m wondering… Is chocolate an aphrodisiac? Let me try one more bite. Humm… Not sure yet... One more... Humm… Maybe... Last one... Humm…

A few years ago researchers inquired 200 women about their consumption of chocolate and their feelings of fulfillment. The results were remarkable. Women who consumed chocolate daily reported a higher degree of satisfaction. The study indicated that even women who normally had a lower libido reported an increase in their drive after consuming chocolate.

Scientifically, chocolate contains both Serotonin and Phenylethylamine, which are mood-lifting hormones found in the human brain. When we consume chocolate, we increase our normal levels of both, which leads to that feeling of excitement, as well as an increased level of energy. So although chocolate may or may not be a true aphrodisiac, it definitely does have some aphrodisiac properties. After all, it makes us feel good all over, much like being in love!

Idea 47: Start a research with my friends about their feelings after consuming chocolate. If results are positive, combine chocolate with other aphrodisiac ingredients and invent the first female Viagra…

Can anyone have initiative excess? Freetude idea 46, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-18T23:35:00.000-02:00

“When I was young

It seemed that life was so wonderful

A miracle, it was beautiful, magical

But then they sent me away

To teach me how to be sensible

Logical, responsible, practical

There are times when all the world's asleep

The questions run too deep”

For such a curious girl…

Deep question: can anyone have initiative excess?

Today my daughter showed me the award that she received last week. The teacher commended her for “initiative attitude”, which reminded me of a funny event that happened to me a few years ago. I was being evaluated at work. My boss told me that I had to work on my excessive initiative personality. I have not attempted to “improve” yet. I never will!

I will continue to nurture every bit of enthusiasm, entrepreneurship and inventiveness deep in my heart, mind and soul.

I’m glad that her teacher encourages initiators. I hope my daughter will find more people like her in the future. Me too!

Idea 46: I have been in corporate life for over 15 years. My brother told me that I should write about it. He suggested giving tips for the newcomers and highlighting the pros/cons. So the idea of the day is to write a book: swimming with the sharks and keeping the spark.

ShakShuka & French Merlot, Freetude idea 45, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-18T02:23:00.001-02:00

Today I wanted to write about how to age well. However, I had a pleasant surprise that made me feel young. So I decided to leave the happy aging article for tomorrow.

Since I'm on a shopping strike, I was all day on the beach.
I made an exception for food and wine.
I went to the liquor store for a few nice French bottles. Surprise!
The salesman requested my ID. No Botox, no surgeries... Just a little sun tan... Did he have his glasses on??? Happy, anyway!!!
I had wine but... What's for dinner???
Back home, I looked in my fridge and noticed: bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, eggs...That doesn't mean finding a recipe was easy. Luckily, I remembered a great one: ShakShuka, which is a delicious Israeli recipe. Very easy. 20 min preparation.

1 white onion
0.5 garlic
1 red pepper
2 tea spoons of brown sugar
5 spoons of Pomi (strained tomatoes)
2 tomatoes
4 eggs (2/person)
Olive oil, parsley, cumin, pepper, salt
1 large pan

1. Cut onion and fry it with garlic. Add salt/pepper/cumin.
2. Add fresh tomatoes and red pepper after 10 min. Add half cup of water.
3. Cook for 5 min on high and lower the fire.
4. Add strained tomatoes.
5. Add 2 tea spoons of sugar, salt and pepper.
6. Add some olive oil on top and add the 4 eggs.
7. Add freshly cut parsley and serve hot (pita bread or baguette optional)

You can also serve it cold. Brazilians prefer it hot. Add other ingredients (sausages, cherry tomatoes...).

Recommended: a wonderful French Merlot.

Yesterday I had a fabulous ceviche at my friend's house. Unforgettable...
Also our children’s book (the one about the girl and the clouds) is almost ready. I wrote it and my friend is finishing the illustration. Beautiful! We also selected our mascot: a cute lion monkey with a long tale (organic cotton, environmentally friendly...).

Idea 45: Move to France and start a winery. Or just travel to China to order the little mascots. Which one??? Any suggestions? Any previous ideas??? Or should I just keep thinking? 110 to go...

Today is Blog Action Day’09 Climate Change, Freetude idea 44, freedom attitude, freedom idea

2009-10-15T12:14:00.000-03:00

Today is Blog Action Day’09 Climate Change!

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15th to bring together the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day in order to promote debates around a global issue.

So, I would like to share an idea that popped up in my mind a few months ago. The idea has 2 parts. Part 1 is to identify and implement green practices with the aim of reducing carbon emissions. Part 2a is to write a paper about this process. Part 2b is to submit the paper to the sustainability award competition that my company promotes yearly. I hope our team wins! The winner project will get world-wide exposure. As a result, the awareness about climate change and what we can do will be spread all over the globe. We want to make a difference in our planet’s health!

Below please find a summary of our team’s paper:

The MIA Mover APM System project was designed to enhance public transportation and will become a benchmark for sustainable projects. In order to address the problem of climate change, this paper accounts, identifies and implements sustainable practices to reduce carbon emissions. However it is impossible to reduce emissions to zero. Purchasing carbon offsets is an adopted practical and affordable measure.

This paper also calculates and assigns a cost to carbon emissions and takes an important step towards managing them efficiently. Through the implementation of practices (LEED), the carbon footprint was materially reduced, water and energy consumption were decreased by 30% and 14% respectively, and a remarkable 80% of construction debris was diverted from landfills. Moreover, upon completion, the project will remove at least 100 buses from the Miami International Airport. These buses are, in turn, responsible for upwards of 4 million miles driven annually, or 6,730 metric tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere. In order to educate and shine a light on this ever-growing problem, team members have engaged in a community program to promote “green conscience” and teach students about our efforts. Children will be able to personally contribute to our environment and to reduce their individual carbon footprint. Last, but not least, what differentiates the MIA Mover from another mass transit project is the idea that through a successful partnership with local authorities, associates, and subcontractors, we are capable of delivering a product that is sustainable and conscientious about its environment.

Idea 44: Write a book about being a girl (yes, I will always be a girl!) in the construction environment.

Add one More Balloon to Life, Freetude Idea 43, freedom attitude, Freedom Ideas

2009-10-14T18:36:00.001-03:00

In the 1960’s, society was tired of the behaviorists messages. People were looking for purpose in life.
They needed explanations and Abraham Maslow gave them answers. He was one of the pioneers in the personality theories movement. His work was about people and it was also for the people. However, every theory is always criticized and curious minds will constantly seek and find flaws. They will lead to new discoveries which will result in new flaws…Also, there are outliers that contribute to flaws. People like Rembrandt somewhat contradicts Maslow. He lived in poverty, yet reached deep creativity.

In my layman’s opinion, Maslow’s pyramid reflects a great big-picture of human needs.

I would just change the shape and add one more balloon... I created my non-pyramid balloon.

The purple one may be "The Real Balloon"!

Idea of the day: Get your personalized green ballon on line. Or just SMILE!!!!

Are you Superstitious?, Freetude idea 42, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-13T18:52:00.001-03:00

Until I find my 13th vaccine

I’m not Superstitious,

Just a little conscientious.

If I see black cat,

I fly like a bat.

If I get a chain letter,

I follow to feel better.

A rabbit's foot is behind,

my lucky find.

Today is the Thirteen

I will follow my routine

I will keep lean and mean

Until I find my 13th vaccine.

Idea: Just an ammulet or a vaccine to protect me from 13th...

Ammulets on line... Rituals to go...

Can Anyone Reach Spiritual Satisfaction Through Consumption? Freetude idea 41, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-12T18:50:00.000-03:00

Victor Lebow was one of the designers of our consumption economy. His best-known words were published in 1955:

"Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfactions, our ego satisfactions, in consumption. The measure of social status, of social acceptance, of prestige, is now to be found in our consumptive patterns. The greater the pressures upon the individual to conform to safe and accepted social standards, the more does he tend to express his aspirations and his individuality in terms of what he wears, drives, eats- his home, his car, his pattern of food serving, his hobbies."

Hurg… The system’s design is ill.
Isn’t it the anti-thesis of freedom?
It gets nowhere!

How can anyone reach spiritual satisfaction through consumption?
My spirit has definitely different needs.
She likes to: eat, sing, dance, recite, write, love, see shapes in clouds…
She also likes to wear Prada once in a while. It can be pretty... Though, it is not for spiritual fulfillment…
Neither for a ritual... I’d rather throw flowers to Yemanja, light candles, celebrate holidays, EAT…

Idea 41: I propose a week strike on consumption. I’ll read a book instead of TV, ride bike with the kids and cook good homemade meals… I won’t buy anything new; instead I’ll donate clothes, books, toys… This week, I will enjoy the true pleasures of life. Deal or No Deal???

What is your greatest passion? Freetude idea 40, freedom attitude, freedom idea.

2009-10-11T18:00:00.000-03:00

My greatest passion is sweet... It could be sour too...
Spicy, colorful, hot, exquisite... Smells good...
It may not be the biggest, or the deepest...
It starts with letter F and it is neither freedom nor freetude...
Not fame or fun...

FOOD is my greatest passion.
It makes me happy instantly.
I wake up for food... I go to sleep thinking of food...

A couple of years ago, my friend convinced me to go to a diet spa for a week.
It had the best gourmet low-calorie food.
It was also close to small city full of cheese, wine and homemade chocolate.
Nice combination...
The spa trainers made me exercise for 4 hours a day.
As a reward, I walked to the little town...
At the end of the week, I lost 1/10 of a pound...

The world is divided in food lovers and others.
I'm a proud member and loyal sponsor of the Garfield team.

Yesterday we had an amazing French cuisine class.
I had the best risotto ever! Champagne, steak au poivre and chocolate mousse...
Today, I woke up early, exercised and then... I got a crunchy warm baguette as a reward.
Every time my angel part does something good, the devil part gets the reward...

Idea: My husband is an amazing cook.
His sister even better...
My girlfriends are incredible cooks too...
With so much cooking talent and brain power around me...
The idea is an old fashion bakery.
There is nothing like this in Miami. The local bakeries are industrial to say the least...
The cakes are pretty on the outside and ugly inside...
Girls get ready... This bakery is Freely Passionate.

Freedom Flight, Celebrating 500 clicks (155 Ideas to Freedom Blog), Freetude idea 39

2009-10-09T18:47:00.002-03:00

Today I found the document above.

It's the school's newspaper that I created in 1985.

I was a happy kid that had just won the elementary school presidency.

The symbol of our political party was an albatross.

The albatross symbolized our freedom of speech and our urge to fly high.

I flew a lot since then...

Miles and miles away from home…

Today I'm glad to celebrate 500 clicks in this blog.

I hope to celebrate my freedom flight by click 2,000.

Idea 39: Fly a kite! Green kites on line: the latest green toy from Freegreentude.

Sonnet of Fidelity, Freetude idea 38, freedom ideas, freedom attitude

2009-10-08T18:33:00.001-03:00

Sonnet of Fidelity - Vinicius De Morais

(translated by Mary Tude)

Above all, to my love I shall be attentive

Before, with such care, and always, and so much

That even when facing the greatest enchantment

My thoughts may become more enchanted.

I wish to live it in every vain moment

And in its praise I shall spread my song

Share my laughter and shed my tears

Through its grief or contentment

And so, when later I’m approached

Perhaps by death, dreaded by the living

Perhaps by loneliness, fate of those who love

I can say to myself of the love (I’ve had)

May it not be immortal, since it is a flame

But let it be endless for as long as it may last.

Idea 38: Today I spent the entire day writing about sustainable practices in a construction AGAIN!!! Tomorrow I may have to translate all the work to Portuguese (it would cost $3,000 to pay a translator). So, I decided to start by translating my favorite poem (Soneto de Fidelidade or Sonnet of Fidelity - Vinicius De Morais) from Portuguese to English. And the idea is: Freetudetranslator! Yesterday's idea was much better...

I need a miracle tonight, Freetude Idea 37, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-07T20:37:00.001-03:00

Just one thing to say:

I need a miracle today!

But if I may:

I need a miracle everyday!

And to my delight:

I need a miracle tonight!

Idea 37: I spoke to close friends today. They want us to start an investment fund for hotels. I like it!!!!

Reject Free Lunches, Freetude idea 36, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-06T19:48:00.006-03:00

There is a book that everyone is talking about: Why Women Have Sex. It highlights 200 specific reasons. Based on 5 years of research and an online survey of 1,000 women, the authors consider that motivation were far more mundane, with 84 per cent confessing to having sex just to ensure a calm life or to bargain for household chores.

Some women have sex out of an altruistic motivation, a girl said: "I slept with a couple of guys because I felt sorry for them." But most have selfish motives, with material rewards a major factor behind many sexual encounters. Their reasons included: "he bought me a nice dinner", "he spent money on me"... Others admitted they did it to improve their sexual performance.

The research concluded that women are attracted to tall strong men. How surprising?!

This is so gloomy!
I don’t know the 1,000 women that were interviewed but I can name so many women that have sex for love, for spiritual connection, for self respect, for expression, for desire or plainly for being human.
I would like to include another 1,000 women to change the conclusions. I’d also like to suggest to girls to consider their feelings first. Freedom is to respect your own feelings!
I also recommend rejecting free lunches. They may come with a price tag.

I’d suggest a more helpful book to be written: Why Women Do NOT Have Sex, which could be a nice guide to guys. Another useful book would be: Why Men Must Have Sex or How to Make Men Beg.

I’ll translate Chico Buarque’s song “Folhetim”. It summarizes the issue in a few short sentences but it adds a happy ending:

If you want me
I’m like those women
That always say yes
For a petty reason
For a good night
A movie, a bar
If you have more
I’ll accept a gift
Anything
Something like a fake stone
A chocolate
A nice fabric
I’ll fulfill your wishes
I’ll tell your half truths
In half light
I’ll make you vain
I’ll make you feel the greatest
And feel that you own me
But next morning
Do not count to twenty
Just leave
You are just another page from my diary

Idea 36: I just realized that there are only 65 LEED APs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals) in Brazil. Rio will invest over $20 Billion in the Olympics. If 10% is green, we are saying $2 Bi divided by 66 LEED APs (65+ Me) … That’s a nice incentive to go home…

Full moon and fool me, Freetude idea 35, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-05T20:23:00.004-03:00

Today I wrote 50 long pages about sustainable construction.
I feel totally domesticated and sustainably uninspired.
Not a drop of inspiration is left...
I'm like a little cat calling the tiger within.
No response...

I'm also disappointed at the moon.
She is smiling at me.
She is showing me all her fullness.
She is reminding me of my own hidden fullness.

So I'm looking at the full moon and feeling fool.
I feel the foolishness fully.

I ask:

Little Moon,
Why are you so full?
Don't you know the foolishness of being so full?

Shinning Moon,
Why are you so full?
Don't you know that your shine can wake up the fool?

Pretty Moon,
Why are you so full?
Don't you know that I'd rather have a new moon?

Silly Moon,
Very soon, you’ll be shaded by pollution and I’ll find a solution.
Very soon, you will be a waxing crescent and I will shine on you.

Idea 35: Ignore the moon. Or learn some moon rituals... Moon rituals for sale, less than a pale...

Listen to the Wind, Freetude Idea 34, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-04T22:45:00.000-03:00

The interconnectedness of everything suggests that omens to events in one dimension may be found in another dimension.

The oldest known methods of connection were oracles.
From listening to the wind to reading crystal balls, messages were scrawled in invisible ink.

My brother and I often played with the tarot cards when we were kids.
We put all the cards facing down.
Each one of us had a turn to take a card with the objective of leaving card 13 to last.
Coincidence or not, we won the game over and over...

Oracles of Magic

I Ching:
Bring me the king.

Red candle:
Add a lot of dandle.

Cristal ball:
Make me a magic doll.

Wind sound:
Lift me from the ground.

White rose:
Help me with this prose!!!

Freetude Idea 34: Go to India, learn Tarot. Go to China, learn I Ching. Go to Greece to listen to the wind.

Rio wins 2016 Olympic Games, freetude idea 33, freedom attitude, freedom ideas

2009-10-02T18:47:00.002-03:00

Today is a special day in Brazil, Rio won 2016 Olympic Games.

I’m sure Grandma had a talk with the people up there…

Down here, I'm just missing her.

Idea 33: Move to Rio with 1 of the 155 ideas.
I can even picture life in Rio…
Sushi Leblon, Lagoa, Copacabana, café, beaches, carnival...
Wilson (this blog ball) is all excited about the soccer there...

Goodbye Grandma

2009-10-01T14:49:00.004-03:00

Goodbye Grandma.
You always belonged to heaven.
May you ever live in our hearts.
May your smile never fade.
May your kindness survive within your cubs.
May your light illuminate our ways.

Goodbye Grandma.
Rest in peace.
Your memories are not white, they are colorful.
Your virtues are not colorful, they are sparkling.
Your teachings are not sparkling, they are diamond.
Goodbye Diamond Camellia.

Goodbye Grandma.
Rest in love.
You hair was not gray, it was silver.
Your heart was not silver, it was gold.
Your life was not gold, it was immaculate.
Goodbye White Rose.

Goodbye Grandma.
Rest in grace.
We felt the smell of flowers on your last breath.
We will love you forever.
Goodbye Sunflower.
Goodbye Grandma Anette.

Keys to Success, freetude idea 31, freedom attitude

2009-10-01T01:15:00.000-03:00

I started my day with a low tire. So, I went to the gas station. The old man fixed it in about 4 minutes. Those were 4 minutes of full dedication. He seemed so peaceful, so pleased, so present. His tip went up by the minute. It escalated to the top. When he was done, my gratitude handed him a twenty dollar bill. He smiled and said: “May you find success”. He looked like one of the African Gods. I replied: “Where are the keys to success?”

In the IGNITION!

I mplement Hope - Always hope for the best.

G row Faith - Believe in yourself. Believe that it's all possible. It will all be OK. Believe in the unknown.

N ew Vision - Knowing what you want is the beginning of its achievement.

I rradiate Love - Love being alive here and now.
    Allow love to tender your soul, to numb your judgment and to expand your sensitiveness.
    Allow love to bring awareness of the opportunity.

T otal Planning & Strategy - Plan all the way to the end.

I nspire Courage - Take risks.

O bjectives - Establish goals that lead to your ultimate vision.

N urture Knowledge - Learn and develop your assets. Maximize your talents. Bring your gifts to its full potential.

Success is just a word. Besides, the key was already in the ignition!

Idea: Start a "pyramid" on line! Back to the 80s!

        C
     C    C
U          E
S               S

Faith, Hope and Love, Freetude Idea 30, Freedom attitude

2009-09-29T23:40:00.002-03:00

Faith, Hope and Love

If I have faith,
I can touch the sky.
But if I have no hope,
faith will shy.
The sky will be shadows with no sunshine.

If I have hope,
I can reach the mountain.
But if I have no faith,
hope will not heighten.
The mountain will be flowerless fields with no sharpen.

But If I have love,
hope lives in my heart and faith inhabits my soul.
If I have love, the mountains are high and the flowers are low.
If I have love, the sky paints double rainbows, the sunrises, the moon shows.

I can talk to the angels,
I can hear the timbales,
I can light the candles,
I can announce to the world that love reigns in Paradise.

Idea: Send a letter to Paradise.
From: Freetude
To: my busy Angel.
Subject: Faith-Hope-Love. Or Just Love!
Happy birthday blog Wilson! You are one month old!

Is Twitter worth $1 Billion? Freetude Idea 29, freedom attitude

2009-09-28T00:49:00.004-03:00

Yesterday I had a consultation with a wonderful Astro-Numerologist Specialist.

Freetude is on my way! Yes! The heavy metal ball with the thick chain attached to my left foot will break. Halleluiah!

She said that most of my numbers are 11. I thought it was 9, but it makes sense... Even my blog has 155 ideas = 1+5+5 = 11. Today is idea 29, 2+9=11...

So, I decided to look up the meaning of number 11:
The Master Teacher, Intuitive, Psychic, Poetry, Art, Symbols, Expression, Dreamer, Revolution, Mysticism, Illumination, Enlightenment, Inspirational, Idealism, Catalyst, Prophet, Justice, Prisoner.

Prisoner?! Maybe they forgot to add the word: Former... All the other meanings are fine.

Number 11 also symbolizes duality. Interesting... No wonder my two sides are relentlessly battling...
One side likes to play with the heavy metal ball, to color the ball, to paint the chain… The other side just wants to cut the chain and kick the ball.

Does anyone know how to appease both sides?

She also noted another duality: sweet angel vs. impetuous warrior...Is freedom the harmonization of the duality? How about a sweet worrier? How about a twitter worrier?

Idea: Is Twitter worth $1 billion? The microblogging site reportedly is planning to raise $100 million based on the latest valuation. Microblogging??!!! It sounds more like Megblogging! The Twitter site, which allows users to post 140-character entries called "tweets," has yet to announce a business model or revenue strategy. Wow! The company is evaluated in $1 billion and did not reveal its business or revenue strategy. Is not revealing the secret of success? I hope not, or I better stop... So, while Twitter's idea remains unrevealed, my revealed idea is: miniblogs. Twikidder will be a site for children to create their blogs, with nice backgrounds, pictures to add, educational prints, spelling bees, songs and adult supervision/moderation. Once the posts are published, they would have to be approved (language and content) and all comments would be subject to approvals too. Go Tkikidder!

I want to have 1 million friends, freetude idea 28, freedom attitude

2009-09-26T00:39:00.003-03:00

Yes!!! My daughter won the chocolate contest!!!
No, I am not a desperate housewife!
Just this weird mix of a modern philosopher-engineer that wants FREETUDE...
I kept burning and re-burning the cookies yesterday...
But at the end, I made the little Brazilian chocolate balls called "brigadeiro".
My daughters stated: “They look boring!”
So, I opened the boxes of chocolate fingers and M&Ms. I stick the fingers in the middle of the chocolate balls, sprinkled M&Ms all over and the first “American-Brazilian brigadeiro” was born!
We won!!!! I love chocolate fever!!!

Talking about "brigadeiro", my heart misses Brazil...

Not the Brazil of today, but the Brazil of: bossa nova, samba, soccer, acaraje, Dinha, Tom Jobin, Caetano, Irma Dulce, Noberto Odebrecht, Timbalada, Olodum... WOW!!! African drumming, spicy food, sweat, love, soul... The poets and entrepreneurs beat the system and made us incredibly proud.

I miss the Brazil, in which the time went sloooowww.
I miss the feeling of belonging...
The "world cup feeling" with everyone dressed green and yellow... We were all celebrating our only victory: soccer! That was sweeeeeeet!
The feeling of waiting for Christmas to watch the special on TV, together with 120 million Brazilians from slums to palaces... It was always the same, which contributed to the sloooowww movement of the clock. Year after year, my favorite singer: Roberto Carlos!!! Let's keep it a secret... I'm probably the only Brazilian my age that adores Roberto until today.

Last year, Roberto played at the Performing Arts in Miami. The tickets were gone in one hour... So I decided to sneak in at the rehearsal since I was part of the construction management team.
So there I was in one of the most unforgettable moments of my life...
I sat alone in the front row; my heart was jumping and my soul vibrating…
But as we say in Brazil: the poor's happiness lasts poorly...
Security arrived and I had to leave after my 2 favorite songs: Concavo e Convexo & Eu quero Ter 1 Milhao de Amigos.
Of course, there were glasses of champagne after... Cheers! Life is good!!!

Idea: Bring Roberto Carlos (singing in Spanish, not in Portuguese; snif, snif...) back. Rent the Miami Area, $1,000 a ticket... And after a few shows… I’ll sing with Roberto, as his song goes: all I want to have is one million friends to louder sing! I want to fish and share the fish. I want love deciding life. I don’t want to sing alone, I want the bird chorus….
So quero ter um milhao de amigos e bem mais forte poder cantar!

Impossible Love, freetude idea 27, freedom attitude

2009-09-25T00:59:00.004-03:00

Impossible love.
Narcissus came to a pool to end his thirst.
He saw his reflection in its smooth surface, and fell in love with it.
Since he could not obtain the object of his love, he died of sorrow.

Why is Narcissus deeply self-centered?

He did not love himself.
Narcissus tried to be loved.
He put all his energy in trying to be loved.
He failed. He could not grasp the meaning of love.
Only if he knew that he had to love himself as other, before he himself could be loved.

Only if he knew that he had to recognize the outside garden, before he could find his native flower.
Only if he knew that he had to learn from others, before he could explore the deep pool within.

We all have a narcissistic side.
Instead of rejecting its symptoms, I'd propose to seek its routes.
Or if the narcissism is balanced, just look for the unbalanced spot.
It will give a hint of the place to be healed.
Find the unbalanced spot and give it honey.
If Narcissus would had allowed the curious child to “uncontrol” his boundaries...
He would be out of pool; dancing, splashing, running...

Idea: My thoughts today were inspired by the book "Care of the Soul" by Thomas Moore. Beautiful book! My business ideas today were burnt together with the chocolate cookies that I tried to bake for my daughters. I can make a firm statement: "I detest chocolate fever day". When will be the day that I can enjoy the pool? Even Narcissus did... Meanwhile, I will keep jumping from tree to tree. Until I find The Tree. Ok, got one idea. Seeds! Good bye, goody bags! I'll design a green birthday party goody bag: seeds’ bag. And a website SeedsForKeeds…

Do you know The Muffin Woman?, freetude idea 26, freedom attitude

2009-09-22T22:35:00.001-03:00

Oh, do you know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Oh, do you know the muffin man,
That lives on Drury Lane?

But do you know The Muffin Woman?
She lives in South Florida!
And she is just a little round...
She is a friend of the ginger bread girl...

Idea of the day: The muffin woman web site! Full of light recipes, plus cute baking pans, cutters, molds... Time to bake with the girls! Come on it's just Tuesday...

In the chicken yard???!!!!!, freetude idea 25, freedom attitude

2009-09-21T20:22:00.003-03:00

I felt so refreshed that I changed this blog's template and layout. Also, I finally corrected the time zone.
Now it is all greenish and shows that I don't get much sleep...
I also changed a couple of old posts for shinier energy.
I rewrote post no. 2 to honor Dinha (the queen of acaraje).

Today, I'd like to honor another exceptional individual that took her inner gift to ultimate fulfillment. Her name is: Irma Dulce or Sister Dulce. Sister Dulce (1914 - 1992) was a Brazilian nun who founded the largest and most respected philanthropic organizations in Brazil. At the time of her death in 1992, Sister Dulce had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The cause for the beatification of Sister Dulce started in January 2000.

Sister Dulce dedicated her entire life to making a difference.
In 1949, she had to convince the principal nun to allow her to use the convent's chicken yard to care for the poorest of the poor. Praying was not enough for her. When the chicken yard became too small, she decided to build a hospital at the same site. She had a mission. She met with the President and got the funding. She met with Mr. Noberto Odebrecht and got the construction for cost. Today, more than 4,000 people arrive every day at her Hospital to receive free medical treatment.

How could a small chicken yard become a major hospital? By the love and persistence of a strong hero of frail appearance: Sister Dulce.

Where is our chicken yard? Or better: where is the hero within us?
Alive! Just in need of a little care.

Idea 25: I'm starting to seriously date an idea... My partner and I met today. Wish us luck! One idea for fun: buying a farm to bring groups for creativity exercises: painting, cooking, drumming, dancing… I’m going to be talking more about creativity soon. Thanks, Ken!

Courage to Grow while Surviving, Freetude Idea 24, Freedom Attitude

2009-09-20T02:37:00.002-03:00

Rosh Hashana 5770's dinner at my sister-in-law had all the ingredients to start off the year right; a beautiful table, delicious food, family and friends and a holiday vibe.

I sure hope that the pounds gained from the sweet delicacy of the tzimes and brisket will be compensated by a sweet year.

This morning I was a guest at Chabad center in Coral Spring and the sermon delivered a massage that hit home with me. It talked about potential fulfillment.

On the day we stand on the gates of heaven, we may have to answer to this question:

Did you become all you could have become?

If you're a writer do not worry about being as good as Hemingway.
There is only one Hemingway.
The question is: did you reach your true potential?
Were you true to yourself?
Were you courageous to grow while surviving?

This blog is my process to stand there and say yes.
It a'ïnt a simple task...
Yes we can: Just Do It!

Idea of the day: Listening to your husband (occasionally…) can be a good thing. My husband came up with a creative idea for the blog. Add a piece of music to the idea of the day that will complement it, sort of like wine pairing. I like that!

Shana Tova Yemanja, freetude idea 23, freedom attitude

2009-09-18T01:36:00.002-03:00

New beginnings bring roundness to life.
The circles of life close and reopen.
The new possibilities' rainbow shines.

In Brazil, several people celebrate the New Year wearing white and
throwing roses to the sea for Yemanja (African Goddess of the seas).
I still feel the salt water and the soft sand on my skin.
I still feel the wind blowing.
I still feel the expectation that Yemanja will bring me a sweet year.

Tomorrow, I will feel a different sweetness by tasting the apples and honey of the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashanah.
The honey symbolizes the desire to have a sweet new year.
Rosh Hashanah celebrates a human being's ability to grow and change.

The shofar is a ram's horn, a 3,000 year-old musical instrument that is blown into like a trumpet.
The high-pitched blasts of the shofar make a sound that reminds all to reflect on the past year and the year to come.
The blasts of the shofar are meant to revitalize the soul.

During Rosh Hashanah, the Brazilian New Year and all religious or non-religious New Years, the people are encouraged to think only good thoughts and to be kind to all those around them.

Ideas of the day: to nurture positive thoughts and be kind daily, to wish all of you a wonderful New Year (Shana Tova!) and to enjoy the sacredness of the holidays and the love of my family.

Life after 107, freetude idea 22, freedom attitude

2009-09-16T23:32:00.001-03:00

Today I read an interesting CNN article.
It is about a 107-year-old Malaysian woman named Wok.
She has been happily married for four years to her husband, a man 70 years her junior.
Afraid that her husband will leave her for a younger woman,
Wok is looking to marry again -- for the 23rd time.
She said that she has been feeling insecure lately and she needs to find out whether he still loves her or not.
If not, Wok has her eyes set on a 50-year-old man, but hopes it does not come to that.
She prefers to keep the older gentleman as a plan b for now.
He may lack some energy...

She is incredible!

I give her all the respect for:
                          having a big loving heart,
                          looking forward to life,
                          identifying possibilities during difficult times.

Good Luck, Wok! You go girl!

Idea of the day: I'd like to visit Wok and make a documentary about her life.

Reputation is Power ("Finding Nema"), freetude idea 21, freedom attitude

2009-09-15T00:04:00.001-03:00

What do Beyonce and Taylor Swift have in common? How about Joan D'arc and Tiger Woods? Angela Merkel and Bill Gates?
One single word: reputation.

The true nature of people is hard to understand.
So we prefer to ignore the unknown and to judge people by their outside appearance: words, gestures, clothes.
One simple slip in appearance can lead to unfortunate judgments and consequences.
Our only defense is to create and maintain an impeccable reputation.

In a world of sharks, Nemo can only survive if he has a reputation of a killer whale.

But if you are Nema, be prepared...

Nema may need a reputation of an octopus.
Eight arms can handle a lot.
In second thought, it may not be a good reputation for Nema.
Since it will definitely scare all the nemos…

Maybe a flexible reputation of a jellyfish... Not a good one, firm and independent nemas are booming...
Anemone? No.
Angelfish? Definitely not!
Barracuda? Maybe...
Bony Fish? Not really...
Clownfish? Sometimes...
Dolphin? Occasionally...
Stingray? Possibly...
Hum... Found it!

Nema must have a reputation of an oyster.
The hard shell will protect her and will keep the pearl shinning inside.

Practically just rediscover your strongest quality and then invent your reputation aura.
Invest on your reputation, as watering a flower.
It will grow with care and time.
Once it is grown, keep it like a treasure.
It will generate respect and power.

Idea: some ideas are moving forward... But let's continue...
First, I'd like to thank Mr. Kenneth Miller (prominent scientist and best seller Author of "Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul") for the encouraging and beautiful e-mail. Blog story 13 was for him. I wish the world had more scientists and less judgmental nemos.
The idea of the day has been maturing in my heart for a while... Green education... Coming up soon...

P.S.: Du, I won't sell oranges nor bananas (maybe acai berries from blog idea 4 or a few more colorful apples from Snow White's blog story 2)... Just wait...

When you wish upon a star, freetude idea 20, freedom attitude

2009-09-12T20:38:00.001-03:00

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Based on Jiminy Cricket's advice, it is time to dream with our hearts.
Fate will help us with a fresh start.
Maybe beginning with a list of big dreams, the category would be: "life accomplishments".
Then going down to the little fun dreams that make life good, the category would be: "mini bites".

Since I just finished with the quarterly projections for work, I think the "mini bites" can also be defined quarterly. At the end of every quarter, we can report on their status, expectations were met or exceeded, new forecasts...
For this last quarter, my "mini bites" will be...
Food for thought...

Idea of the day: making a wish upon the stars... Today is Saturday... A cool idea will be out of the oven tomorrow...

I refuse to sell oranges!!! Maybe bananas... freetude idea 19, freedom attitude

2009-09-11T19:19:00.000-03:00

Today my brother told me that yesterday's blog post was so bad that I would end up selling oranges on the traffic light.

OK, I was just trying to be freelosophical...
Besides I googled my dad and a list of his complicated chemical patents showed up (lines and lines long of incomprehensive words)...
I also googled my brother and all of his theses came up...
Then I googled myself and only my taxes showed up. Snif... Snif...
I refuse to sell oranges!!! Maybe bananas...

Back to my exciting routine, I had lunch with my old boss today.
He read the blog. He said that he would never think that I wrote it. I can be quite serious outside blogland...
I tried to convince him that I'm the best poet from the engineers and the best engineer from the poets... Not sure... The good news is that he really liked the Children's book. He said: this one is you! Happy!!!

Idea 19: Spend a few weeks with my brother and my dad... Some new things are popping... I'll tell you soon...

Freelosophical, freetude idea 18, freedom attitude

2009-09-11T00:35:00.001-03:00

Where did the Philosophers go?

I'm returning to philosophical literature: Lucretius, Dante, Goethe...
They succeeded in flowering at a certain place and time.
Time was their "frienenemy".
Time destroyed their existing paradigms and built new ones.
Living in a particular time limited their brilliant minds.
They were seeking a timeless moving target: wisdom.
In their search, they reached an unforeseen place: imagination.

But where did the Philosophers go?
Maybe they are hiding together with the Poets.

Life could be expanded if they were still around.
Limited by the constraints of time…
Unlimited by the freedom of imagination...
Their philosophical thoughts are still alive!

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." Socrates

Freedom idea 18: today there were just too many ideas... My imagination was freelosophical!
Develop a program to account for carbon footprint or a consulting company for carbon footprint reduction, develop a new line of healthy snacks for kids using this company: http://www.cracklebred.com/ (maybe export to Brazil), importing the little dried banana from Brazil to the US...

The responsibility you have to yourself, freetude idea 17, freedom ideas

2009-09-09T19:17:00.002-03:00

“And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.
Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide. [...]
We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”
President Obama

Nothing to add. Not one single word.

Idea of the day: Replace all school vending machines with green machines (healthy snacks only, dry fruits, almonds, peanuts), replace all soda vending machines with natural juice machines or coconut water (no added sugar), and replace all the speech critics with one single word: thanks.

Feed the tiger or become its prey, freetude idea 16, freedom attitude

2009-09-08T22:54:00.001-03:00

A couple of months ago, I read a great book called the "Life of Pi" (based on a true story). I read it all night. Imagine my long day on Monday...

Pi’s story began with his childhood in India where his father owned a Zoo.
Pi’s family departed India for Toronto taking many of the animals. Pi was only 16 years old.
The ship sank and Pi found himself alone in a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena, and a tiger named Richard Parker. Pi and Richard Parker survived after over 200 days in the Pacific Ocean.

Pi took life one day at the time with the focus of reaching his freedom goal.
Pi's survival was a combination of strength, strategy, belief and courage.
Pi could either feed the tiger or become its prey.
The tiger's survival was Pi's duty. Pi's own survival was his goal.
Strength and the strategy fed his duty. Belief fed his goal.
Courage fed both.

Courage controls tigers.
Courage transcends belief.
Courage is freedom.

Idea: Miami-Dade County adopted a policy that accepts receipt, solicitation, and evaluation of public-private partnerships for projects. The idea is to submit a proposal to use the parking machines for advertisement. Ideally, I would partner with a big company (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Carnival...) for exclusive or partial leasing rights.

The Big Freedom Puzzle, freetude idea 15, freedom ideas

2009-09-08T02:18:00.001-03:00

The gain of reading lies in what it can help us to become.
The gain of writing lies in what it can bring out from within.
The gain of poetry lies in what it can transform.

Today life was flowing like a poem.
Friendship unveiled happiness.
Being "together" meant sharing love.

Today I felt the light of being exactly where I am.

Idea of the day: Expand the freedom puzzle.
Today I met wonderful friends.
They were glowing with ideas, love, empathy and confidence.
By sharing my dreams, I started to perceive their dreams too.
The interactive power started to grow...
Our dreams and many more will find its place in the big freedom puzzle.
Freetude is just a tiny flower in a gigantic garden of freedom.

Cheers, freetude idea 14, freedom attitude

2009-09-07T01:39:00.001-03:00

Cheers,

For all the smiles,
For all the tears,
For looking up to new frontiers,

For all the cope,
For broken ropes,
For never giving up on hopes,

For all the gains,
For growing pains,
For more champagne,
Much More Champagne!!!

Cheers! To Life! L'chaim!
À votre santé! Saude!
Salud y amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo!

Idea of the day: A short trip to Paris or to a place I've never been.... Australia, India, Thailand...
And... Another kid’s book... Short Stories inspired by Machado De Assis.... Machado de Assis is regarded as the most important writer of Brazilian literature.

Glimpse and taste of the miracle of life, freetude idea 13, freedom idea

2009-09-05T23:04:00.001-03:00

If it's magic...

Then why can't it be everlasting
Like the sun that always shines
Like the poets in this rhyme
Like the galaxies in time

It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst

So...
If it's magic...
Why can't we make it ever lasting
Like the lifetime of the sun
It will leave no heart undone
For there's enough for everyone

Wow! Stevie is gifted! Please give me a little bit, Mr. Wonder…

So... What is the magic?
What holds the key to our hearts?
What connects us all?
What fills us up?
What quenches our thirst?

I can't even attempt to “brainanalyze” it.
I just feel the magical connection…
Feeling it opens my heart and my soul. But the stubborn thirst persists...
Just like the survival thirst that we share with all species.
Every second, all beings mutating for life...
The ever changing nature that we share with seeds, flowers, germs, apes and geniuses...
Just to get the glimpse and the taste of the miracle of life.
It makes us feel small and privileged of existing here and now.

Idea of the day: Today I received an email from a very dear friend that truly touched my heart. She is a very talented artist. Her pictures and paintings are beautiful. She is a pro, while I'm an aspiring "wanna be" children writer. I will share the children's stories with her for ideas. Once the universe conspires, it is all possible...

Thorn is out, freetude idea 12, freedom ideas

2009-09-04T19:59:00.002-03:00

Most of us have a thorn in the heart. The thorn is an unhealed wound. It hurts, sometimes more, sometimes less, yet it is always there. Today my thorn hurts.

My thorn is the feeling that I deserve an opportunity which I am not given. Given may not the right word... Hard work, results ($ millions "out of the box solutions"), social-environmental responsibility, kindness, entrepreneurship... Even great swimmers drown, when swimming against the tide.

Metaphorical summary:

Today there was a party is the castle and Cinderella was not invited. Her helpers were invited. All others were invited too. She was not. There was a big sign: outliers keep out. Besides, her vision would not match the party's vision. Also, she had a long list of chores...

Cinderella asked: why not me?

Suddenly she realized that all the rejections had made her a different person. She read more, thought more, studied more, learned more, wrote more, and made more friends... She became a more complete being.

She concluded:
Gains: sensitiveness, perseverance, and courage.
Losses: heavy crowns, the fat cat feeling.

So Cinderella smiled! Deep inside, she did not want to go to the party. She put on her crimson dress and took the old thorn out... It was about time! Furthermore after the party, there could be a looser party, which would be contagious... Cinderella smiled and flew away...

Idea of the day: Take out the old thorns. One by one. That is Freedom!

1+1 is 11, freetude idea 11, freedom attitude

2009-09-03T20:07:00.001-03:00

Since today is blog day # 11, I'll rewind to my 11th bday.
From the moment I saw him, I knew he was the one.

I named him Birdy ("Passarinho" in Portuguese, my parrot).
Birdy was funny, crazy, hipper at sunsets and sleepy at sunrises.
Together we were limitless. "1+1=11" feeling!
I loved him just the way he was. He loved me just the way I was.

Why is our adult love so conditional?
When does judgment start?

Loving more and judging less...
Bringing back the child from within...
In a world ever evolving, something within remains unchangeable...

Idea 1 of the day: I'm going to get a pet for my kids.

Idea 2: Last year I wanted to bring Victoria Secret to Brazil but they do not franchise. So I found out that the same group (Limited) bought La Senza (similar style, lower prices). La Senza is originally from Canada and now is all over the world (La Senza accepts master franchise agreements). I met them last year (a real chess game) but they were not planning to enter the Brazilian market at the time. Time to try again! When is it my turn?

A entrepreneur is a poet that likes math, freetude idea 10, freedom attitude

2009-09-03T00:49:00.002-03:00

It is almost 1AM. I was writing for one hour (pages and pages), lost the Internet connection and it is all gone now. Lucky you... Sleepy me...

Idea of the day: always save your work!

Secondary Idea: In a world dominated by deep loneliness and
where the rat race immunizes our senses, our minds and our souls
the idea is to get out there, interact and listen to other peoples' ideas.
Freedom lovers!
World of mouth is still the most effective marketing.
A entrepreneur is a poet that likes math. She is sensitive to people's needs and desires, generates opportunities and counts the green. She reinvests the green, makes sustainable green and the entire community is happy!

The perfect twin, freetude idea 9, freedom attitude

2009-09-01T22:44:00.000-03:00

Today, I wished to have the perfect twin. Someone to take my place when I'm not in...
So I googled and I found a great song by Barbra Streisand:

I want to learn what life is for. I don't want much, I just want more.
Ask what I want and I will sing. I want everything.
I'd cure the cold and the traffic jam. If there were floods, I'd give a damn.
I'd never sleep... I'd like to plan a city... Move into the White House, paint it yellow.
Speak Portuguese and Dutch.
And if it's not too much,
I'd like to have the perfect twin.
And one who'd go out as I come in...
I'm like a child who's set free. At the fun fair, every ride invites me and it's unfair saying that I only get my one share. Doesn't seem just I could live as I must.
If they'd give me the time to turn the tide.

Idea of the day: a website that finds a song for someone you love. You just fill out some key words, select the style, and it provides you with a list of songs to choose.

Risking adds to life, freetude idea 8, freedom attitude

2009-08-31T21:39:00.000-03:00

Today is Monday. We are all ready to start a predictable week.
So let's change it a bit. Let's get set for an unusual week.
Let's say yes to something that we would normally say no, like the "yes man" movie.
Why not? Life has more meaning by taking risks. The heart accelerates, the mind sharpens, the ideas pop, the temperature rises.
Facing and beating risks adds seasoning to life.
But what is the difference between risking and gambling?
Risking is a must for achievement, gambling is not.
Risking balances luck and courage.
So the idea of the day is to feel lucky and to have the courage to welcome risks. Even in baby steps, such as: painting a picture, making a new friend, donating to an inspiring cause or just taking a little time to learn a new word. Word of the day: crimson.
Crimson is a strong, bright, deep red color combined with some blue, resulting in a tiny degree of purple.
Have a great purplish week!

Stay in heaven or explore the unknown, freetude idea 7, freedom attitude

2009-08-30T22:26:00.000-03:00

When I was a little kid in Brazil, I felt an invisible camera filming my life. As I was part of a movie, in which everyone deserved a happy ending.
Life was always flowing.
I talked to my imaginary friends. I played with my real friends.
I enjoyed a parallel dimension of fantasy and reality.
I was challenged by immaterial riddles and material puzzles.
I did not know the definition of justice, however my heart believed that it would always prevail. Any hurt would pass, happiness would arrive.
There was a silent wisdom.
Whenever I was hurt, my imaginary friends comforted me. They assured me a happy ending. There was something to learn that I would need in the future.
My favorite toy was not a toy. It was my grandmother's porcelain angels. They were beautiful. Each one had a different color which allowed me to create their personalities.
The red one was really naughty. He wasn't sure if to stay in heaven or to explore the unknown below. I loved him the most. Good heart, free spirit and open minded...
The porcelain angels seemed so alive that I could hear their whisper.
Today the green one whispered idea 7: make the chinese jump rope a bracelet.

Knowing what we want is the beginning of its achievement, freetude idea 6, freedom attitude

2009-08-29T15:49:00.004-03:00

Today, my heart went: boom, boom, pow!!!
I typed freetude in google and: shazam! This blog showed up.
I jumped and screamed: yes!!! My kids thought I won the lotto.

Wilson and I could see the rescue ship coming.
Someone can find us now!

Back to earth, I'm always a little behind in idea execution as I mentioned before.
A month ago I finished two kid's book. Since my patience for making a hit is the size of a rice grain, I decided that I needed a famous illustrator (nothing is impossible...).
Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I created the opportunity to meet Mr. Famous.
First I met his assistant. After about 30 minutes, the question was posed: How come Mr. Famous never illustrated a children's book? She smiled, I frowned. She announced that he had just signed an illustration children book's deal. Behind again...
After the studio tour, we met him for 5 minutes. I changed the strategy and it worked... He was open to lead a paint party for kids.

Idea of the day: Make this paint party huge (10,000 kids) and give away some free gifts from the future on line company. The gift has to be so good that every kid in Miami will find it on the web. The gift has to be green, healthy and positive. Maybe a big resurrection of chinese jump rope with cool designs and green appeals. The greatest toy come back in history!!!
Knowing what we want is the beginning of its achievement!!! Jump!

Love that brings shades and shines - freetude 5

2009-08-28T23:09:00.000-03:00

Today I'm just happy!
Just had a glass of champagne...
My heart just feels love.
What kind of love?
Love that brings deeper fantasies.
Love that unifies the duality of slavery and freedom.
Love that makes us feel alive even when our heart cries.
Love that is thirsty and hungry.
Love that satisfies the soul.
Love that makes us crazy and sane.
Love that hurts.
Love that heals.
Love that doesn't leave.
Love that cannot be tamed.
Love that cannot forget nor pass.
Love that brings shades and shines.
Love that just wants more love.
The idea of the day is to celebrate love.

I want to be 21, freetude idea 4

2009-08-27T22:25:00.001-03:00

Today I missed being 21...
Time is not to be measured. It is to be enjoyed.
However, I miss that feeling of freshness. The expectation that the best is ahead, having time as a friendly ally.
Time is the most precious gift. So instead of getting all melancholic, it is time to see poetry in ordinary, art in nature, love in people, taste in food, smell in flowers and opportunities everywhere.
There is time for everything!
Time to juggle the beautiful balance of all we want to be and all we can be.
Time to be truthful to our core and to use every drop of our creative soul.
My left brain is reminding me to reserve time for: vision, strategy and acceptance of risks.
So the idea of the day needs to be fresh and full of anti-aging ingredients.
How about opening little acai berry stands all over the US (like the ones in Brazil)? Acai is a fruit that grows on the Brazilian wild palmberry tree, it is used for nutritive support as an antioxidant. The newest franchise to take over the USA: acai solo. People can come to eat only acai and granola. Simple and delicious for kids. Health and cool for us a little above 21 (just on the outside)... Good night, blog Wilson!!!

I may need longer wings - freetude idea 3

2009-08-26T18:41:00.003-03:00

Today I felt ignored in smallville. 70% of me is a little sad since I like to contribute. 30% is happy since I need energy...

The 70% sad says: I want to be given the opportunity to contribute! Today, my solution could save a substantial amount. They even cut my wings but they insist on keep growing... Just in different directions...

The 30% happy is ready for the idea of the day: I wrote a kids' book last week. Its about the relationship of a girl and the clouds. I could become a writer for children. My 3 kids would love it.
I may need longer wings to get a publisher...

First pages of my book:

Green Children of the Blue Sky

The sky smiled.
There she was: the little girl.
The little girl looked at the sky.
The sky blushed.
The little girl smiled.
The sky blew the winds to rearrange its clouds.
The little girl realized that enchantment was about to happen.
The sky made puppies from its whitest clouds.
The little girl’s imagination was even faster...
She saw penguins and kangaroos… Flamingos and Chipmunks… Canaries and love bugs…

A tribute to Dinha, freetude idea 2, freedom attitude

2009-08-25T22:52:00.006-03:00

Today I had my blog lesson #1: no one can find my blog. Only me! It feels like I'm in "Castaway" (the movie), me and my blog Wilson.

In my home town, Salvador, Brazil, you can never feel lonely.
But if you do, just take a 5 minute walk and eat a delicious abara or acaraje.

Abara: Usually made by Baianas on the street, this is a tamale-like wrap made with bean paste, onions, and dendê oil, cooked in a banana leaf, and served with ginger and dried shrimp sauce.

Acaraje: Similar to the abara in that the dough is made with mashed beans, but the acarajé is deep-fried in dendê oil and stuffed with a shrimp sauce, hot peppers, and onion-tomato vinaigrette

Everywhere you go in Salvador you'll see Baianas, women dressed in the traditional white hoop skirt, lace blouse, and turban sitting behind big cooking pots serving up acarajes and abaras snacks.

Why am I talking about acarajes and abaras?

I'd like to pay tribute to someone that reached her full potential: Dinha.
Dinha was considered the queen of all acarajes. She started working at the age of 7. She had her own business at the age of 10.
She served hundreds of clients a day at her food stand, which became one of the most popular restaurants in town. She kept an impeccable quality of food and service. She distributed her acaraje with smiles. She died last year and her daughter continues the tradition.

Idea of the day: Idea 2: I like this blog's name: Freetude. I found a meaning somewhere. It said that Freetude means Freedom Attitude. So, the idea of the day is: the Freetude brand. It could start with a non-profit organization site that sells Freetude shirts. The profits will be donated to freedom organizations or a freely named charity. It could also have a section for definitions of freedom. Freedom is... The cartoon characters could even be the little man and woman from "love is...". They were cute...

It is so goooood to be free!!! Even when freedom means to wait, to stay, to dream...

155 Ideas to Freedom

2009-08-24T23:37:00.006-03:00

Life should be fun.

We should be able to wake up in the morning with a big smile and feel that we are using our gift (whatever that may be...) to be true to ourselves and to spread many other smiles along the way.
My gift is to have ideas but I'm always a little bit behind in the execution...

But... What kind of freedom am I searching?

Freedom is allowing my gift to reach its true potential.
My Gift = creative ideas
My Dream = to implement a creative idea and succeed.
                 = to become a better me, to grow and
                    to help other people.

So I'm committing myself to write about 155 ideas to freedom and to pursue my favorite ideas along the way. Once I get to my 155 idea milestone, I will stick to The Winner Idea. Then I will give myself 155 days to execute that, which will mark the start of a fun ride.

Idea of today = start this blog. The daily posts will reflect the poet and the entrepreneur that live in me. I'll start with the poet and hopefully the entrepreneur will kick in with the idea of the day.
I would love to get advice from more experienced creative freedom experts!!!

See you tomorrow.