Excerpt
Special Note from the Author
to my American and Latino neighbors.
After years of sporadically jotting down private notes, and mentally storing a variety of experiences, something began to dawn on me. It would take an extended period of time for the significance of this “something” to finally unravel and come into focus. In fact, whether it was intentional or not, I didn’t recognize what was constantly weighing on my mind. All I knew with some semblance of certainty was that I had developed a powerful inner feeling–a sensation that was growing stronger with each and every day. Eventually I would awaken to acknowledge there were many realities that ran quite contrary to what I had always believed.
Living together in the Western Hemisphere, Americans and Latinos often have perceptions of what each other’s lives are truly like; perceptions that are influenced more than ever before via the expansion of the modern media and internet. Frequently overlooked is another crucial component that affects our beliefs; it’s the power these influences not only have on how we view one another, but also how we tend to view ourselves. So let me offer some examples of what I am trying to convey. Many Americans see their southern neighbors as poor, and struggling to escape to the U.S. for a better life. Then in turn, my American friends look inward and see themselves as fortunate, convinced that they are generally “better off.” After all, if this were not the case, then why would so many want to enter the “land of opportunity?” And this belief becomes even more solidified from the Latino perspective as the U.S. is frequently defined in broad terms as a “modern” nation; a nation offering security, and superior chances for economic advancement. Consequentially many then see themselves as less fortunate, disadvantaged, and frustrated that they aren’t living the “American dream.”
Without a doubt, there are undeniable truths that have skewed each culture’s thoughts concerning one’s quality of life. It’s factual that the average American’s standard of living is higher compared to those who reside in Latin America. And in some Latin American nations economic conditions remain excessively punishing. Therefore, logically it would seem the previously mentioned rationalizations are fairly straightforward, understandable, and simple enough to accept?
At least on the surface, the grass seems to be much greener on one side of the fence? . . . At least on the surface . . .
Introduction
With my eyes shut I frequently envision so much of life’s beauty void of its many harsh realities. And with my eyes wide open, with my unrestricted visibility, I can readily see so much pain and injustice. Yet, hidden within so much suffering is a certain type of magnificence that is unmatched—unparalleled even in my most vivid and uplifting dreams.”
I can still picture Dad standing by my side near a fence at Kennedy Airport. Watching those jumbo jets scream overhead as they came in for a landing always filled him with awe. His eyes lit up and he beamed with excitement every time he heard the roar of their powerful engines. My dad was a simple salesman but those days at the airport, he became someone else. He was in command of one of those “dream machines.” My father didn’t have an easy life but that never stopped him from living life to its fullest. At the airport, I knew where he really wanted to be, where his heart was at. I so regret that fate never granted him his wish.
At times I confess to overthinking and reflecting excessively on my life, considering my past and comparing it to where I am today. We tend to believe we have a fair amount of control over our destinies, and that we can sense what our future will entail. And the closer our present draws to that span of time, the more confident we feel about our forecast. But from the moment we are born, what really lies ahead is one mysterious and unscripted journey. Who and what will our partners and friends be like? What interests will drive our attention? Which places will we explore? What will we ultimately achieve? The possibilities and questions seem boundless.
It’s also fascinating that we often experience our time and act in ways we never anticipated. Although our dreams and aspirations can sometimes become a reality, they often are only partially achieved or are unrealized. Our lives are fluent, filled with peaks and troughs, triumphs and disappointments. At any moment, lightning can strike; an event causes us to pause, to rethink, and possibly alter our direction. If that happens, the signal can be confusing, complicated, challenging, and even a bit frightening.
For me, it would take almost forty years for the right storm to gather, for the claps of thunder to finally waken me from within. After the storm passed I realized a great deal more about myself. It was as if the rains had soaked through, with each drop containing a different mixture of delicate hints. The drenching taught me that the only guarantee is there are no guarantees. How dramatically we overestimate the expected, and how greatly we underestimate the significance and power of the unexpected.
If I were a betting man I would have lost big. I never would have anticipated the many instrumental influences that found their way into my life. Even when I was in my thirties, I had no forewarning of how much my outlook would change.
Thus, I have a journey I want to share, a journey that has been life-altering. The changes were subtle, strong, and arrived not through any intentional plan or design. A certain sequence of events and experiences eventually created a deep and lasting impression—an awareness that I was often observing and seldom seeing.
Acknowledgments
Special Note from the Author to My American and Latino Neighbors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Spark and Ignition
Chapter 2: Foundation
Chapter 3: In the Shadow of a Glider
Chapter 4: The Seeds of Change
Chapter 5: The Strength of Straw
Chapter 6: Mystic Lima
Chapter 7: Switching Gears
Chapter 8: Nossa
Chapter 9: Sampa: Many Bright Shining Moments
Chapter 10: Beyond the Andes
Chapter 11: Midnight in Recoleta
Chapter 12: Hidden Gem
Chapter 13: The Magic of Floripa
Chapter 14: Fica Tranquilo
Chapter 15: Compass Reversal
Chapter 16: Carefully Packed Parachute?
Chapter 17: External Darkness – Internal Light
Chapter 18: Final Approach and Landing