Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 23 oC, hottish, slightly sunny and overcast.
Today marks another milestone—my second in just two days. I have completed my first journal, a small but compact notebook filled with my entries. All the entries from this mini journal have been transferred to my blog, ‘The Long Gringo.’
This is the first entry of what I call a mini journal book. The first journal was completed in note form, while this second journal is in A4 format with entries written in full text. I am unsure if this will affect the final blog post, but I hope it will improve the overall quality. That is my intention. Let’s see how it works out.
Since I began blogging, my first entry was about the world and its beauty. My very first personal entry was on December 27, 2023. Now that I have completed the first journal mini notebook and transferred its content to the blog, I feel like I’ve moved from zero to something.
I aim to evolve this initial something into something even better, always seeking improvement while preserving its essence. I want to ensure it remains true to itself, avoiding mischaracterisation in pursuing money or other interests.
I started writing in my diary primarily for my mental health, not for financial gain. For several years, I also had the idea for the Long Gringo blog. In the last six months, I have transformed this once-abstract idea into something more structured, tangible, and profound.
One of the main reasons for creating the Long Gringo blog is that I believe many people feel lost or stuck and don’t know how to get out of their situations. This can be due to fear or simply not knowing what to do. Often, we think we are the only ones facing these challenges, while others seem to have it all together.
We tend to compare ourselves to our friends, family, and others around us, which is unfair, distorted, and untrue. The result of this comparison is often shame, which can further complicate our situations and make us feel even worse. This creates a cycle where the problem feels bigger, and our struggles are greater.
I want to express that shame in certain situations is a natural part of life. It doesn’t signify the end; instead, there is always a way out. Our lives cannot always be filled with pleasure and joy; expecting to be on a high note 24/7 is unrealistic. It is expected to experience both highs and lows; ideally, we should have more highs than lows. Therefore, when we find ourselves in difficult situations, feeling shame is entirely normal, although it is something we go through at that moment, and it is essential to acknowledge it.
This is even more emphasised by living in Brazil and being a foreigner here. It is a beautiful and fantastic country with extreme cultural diversity on all levels, but Brazil has a dark side. It can be very cruel, hard, and even perverse. It isn’t easy for a Brazilian to survive here. Imagine. A stupid gringo. Like me. That has been here for more than 35 years.
I wouldn’t say that I am financially successful—far from it. However, I have managed to survive. I have raised two daughters and have run a business for over 20 years. Now, I’m diversifying into other areas that I hope will bring more financial wealth and freedom in the future. In addition to the economic aspect, the personal and emotional sides are just as important, if not more so.
I want to clarify that I love Brazil, and that’s why I’ve stayed here for so long. However, I am disappointed with the country. There seems to be a certain level of stagnation that has caused Brazil to halt its progress in terms of improvements and evolution, preventing it from becoming a better place.
Even though I have been in two marriages, they were not official. I lived with the mothers of my two daughters. These relationships have benefited us all in ways that I can’t fully explain now. Currently, I am friends with both women, and I have a deep admiration for each of them.
The most important thing we share is our daughters. I see them becoming decent, happy people with principles of decency and good common sense, which is crucial for their lives. As for everything else, they will find and learn it on their own.
Life can be challenging, and there’s no such thing as a free lunch, especially in Brazil. If I can assist people in finding their way through my journey, experiences, and stories, I will. The truth is, it’s not just about us; it’s more importantly about others and how we can help them. When people understand this and focus less on themselves and more on others, they often find greater happiness and a more rewarding life.
In bed by midnight.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
