The perfect twin, freetude idea 9, freedom attitude

Today, I wished to have the perfect twin. Someone to take my place when I'm not in...
So 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

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.
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.
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.
For a purplish week.

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

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 must have a happy ending.
I talked to my imaginary friends and played with my real friends.
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.
There was something to learn that I would need in the future.
My favorite toy 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. He was open minded... different... my favorite...
The porcelain angels seemed so alive that I could hear their whisper.
Today they whispered idea 7: make the chinese jump rope a bracelet.

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

Based on Jiminy Cricket's advice, it is time to dream with our hearts.
Fate will help us with a fresh start.

Idea of the day: making a wish upon the stars... 

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

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. The good news is that he really liked the Children's book. He said: this one is you.
 

Freelosophical, freetude idea 18, freedom attitude

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

“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

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.

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

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

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 allowed access.... 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: the fat cat attitude.

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

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.

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

Me... an entrepreneur is a poet that likes math....

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

Idea: Make a paint party (10,000 kids). The gift has to be green, healthy and positive. Maybe a big resurrection of chinese jump rope with cool designs and green appeals. 

Knowing what we want is the beginning of its achievement.

Love that brings shades and shines - freetude 5

Love that brings shades and shines

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

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.
Time is the most precious gift. So it is time to see poetry in ordinary, art in nature, love in people...
Id like to have time for everything and for nothing... Specially for nothing.

Time to juggle the beautiful balance of dreams, desires, and doubts.
Time to use every drop of soul.

So the idea of the day is fresh.
How about acai berry stands all over the US (like the ones in Brazil)? Acai is a fruit that grows on the Brazilian wild tree, it is used for nutritive support as an antioxidant. The newest franchise: acai solo. People can come to eat acai. Simple and delicious for kids. Health and cool for us... just above 21... on the outside... 

I may need longer wings - freetude idea 3

Ignored in smallville... just wanted to have the opportunity to contribute... my solution could save a substantial amount. So... they cut my wings... but they insist on keep growing... Just in different directions...

Idea of the day: I wrote a kids' book last week. Its about the relationship of a girl and the clouds...could become a writer for children... 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

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 acaraje.

Acaraje: the dough is made with mashed beans, 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.

Anyway, I'd like to pay tribute to someone that lived freely... Her name is 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 died last year and her daughter continues the tradition.

Idea of the day: Idea 2: Definitions of freedom... Freedom is... The cartoon characters could even be the little man and woman from "love is...". They were cute...
... freedom to wait, to act, to leave, to stay, to dream...

155 Ideas to Freedom

Life must be fun.

Wake up in the morning and feel true to yourself...
Got a gift of creativity...
But... What kind of freedom am I searching?

Freedom to do something that I love... and that is genuinely good...
              
So I'll write about 155 ideas to freedom... to pursue one at the end...

Idea of today = start this blog... the poet and the entrepreneur that live and fight within me.