Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 23oC, cool and overcast.
I am still thinking a lot about what I wrote yesterday regarding my daughter Jessica.
I have felt for a long time that she does not like me very much. I wonder if it is 50-50 – 50% because of me as a father and 50% because I am a gringo, and what gringos represent in Brazil.
Is it 100% my fault for being a bad father? Or is it not what she expected from me as a father? Or is it 100% because I am a gringo? I am not sure which it is. I know that my daughter does not like me as much as I would like her to.
It is not something I can or will dwell on because life is too short to keep ruminating and overthinking without making progress as time passes.
When I encounter difficult problems, I find that walking helps clear my mind and find a solution. This time, I woke up extra early and went for a walk. The streets were still damp from the rain the night before, so exercising in the muddy park would not have been possible. Instead, I decided to go for a walk.
I think I walked about 7 kilometres between 5:00 and 6:00 am. It helped me think about what had happened and decide what I needed to do for the rest of the week and until the end of the month.
You already know that I am developing some websites. Right now, I am working on ‘PlaceBeads’. I have been wearing bead bracelets for over ten years. I’ve always preferred bracelets over rings, chains, and other jewellery. A bracelet is an excellent accessory for a man, and even a simple one can make a statement.
My father always wore an onyx ring. Maybe I will wear one in the future, but until now, I have worn only bracelets. Maybe because bead bracelets are cheap? And I am poor. But it still looks good.
These bead bracelets can feature a variety of bead sizes and colours. I am wearing black bracelets with different bead sizes on each one. I like to wear a combination of two bracelets at a time, but I have worn three before.
However, I think three is too much, and one sometimes is not enough. This is just my personal preference. Others may choose to wear any number of bracelets and different combinations. It is all about mixing and matching sizes, colours, and styles.
I have been wearing these bracelets for years, and they attract a lot of attention. People have often stopped me to ask where they could buy them; some have even wondered if they are some religious artefacts or if I wear them for a spiritual reason.
I have been thinking about commercialising them for the past two years and am finally doing it. The first step is finalising the size. I have already mastered the fabrication process, which is not complicated.
The brand name and marketing are based around the word “Placebo,” which means fake, but in a clever way.
When a doctor prescribes a placebo to a patient, they are providing a substance that has no actual medicinal properties with the intention of helping the patient feel better psychologically.
By taking the placebo, the patient believes they are receiving effective treatment, which can lead to a positive outlook and contribute to their healing process. This practice is the inspiration behind the name of the bracelet company, PlaceBeads.
Why does jewellery or a fashion accessory have to be expensive? Is it because of the brand name or what it represents? PlaceBead Bracelets are made from simple materials, but they look great. They draw attention and make the wearer feel good, giving them higher self-esteem, more confidence, and a feeling of strength.
Building a brand is like peeling an onion. The deeper you go, the more layers you must peel off to get to the centre. Building a website has become an interesting journey in which I have had to learn new skills, including tech and life.
Every new challenge is gratifying, and each stage you pass through or overcome the obstacles gets you to a higher level, getting closer to your target, making you stronger, and ultimately more rewarding.
This week, I am focusing on accelerating the development of websites. It is turning out to be a lot more work than I expected, and in some ways, I feel like I am walking in the dark. Despite the challenges, it is still gratifying.
I know the responsibility rests solely on my shoulders and am determined to see it through. As I often tell my daughters, it is important to finish what we start. So, I will persevere and complete what I have begun, no matter the cost.
Nalva has a course tonight and will return late so I can go to bed early.
In bed by 9:00 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
