Farofa
You can’t just waltz in and think you’re going to change the world just like that. Because you’re not. You might be able to suggest modifications, but when it comes to implementation, it is your audience who needs to want to change.
As president Obama said so eloquently in his Back to School speech this week, “…at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you [students] fulfill your responsibilities.” You must want to fulfill your responsibilities. You must believe in fulfilling your responsibilities. It is YOU who must want to succeed.
In other words, change comes from within. An outsider can suggest reform, but it is the insiders who will make it happen. That is, if they want to make it happen and if they can see the benefit in making it happen. Outsiders are rarely able to make long-lasting reformations because they lack cultural sensitivity, community know-how, and credibility.
Although I have some great ideas, at least for the moment, I am an outsider. I will never look or sound completely Brazilian. I will never like Guaraná (national soda) or farofa (a side dish made from cassava flour or cornmeal). And worst of all, I don’t like soccer. I have a ways to go in order to prove myself, my credibility, and my intentions.
Guaraná
No one ever said it was going to be easy, and I am confronted by failure at every turn. Portuguese is a difficult language to learn. Malapropisms are an hourly occurrence. Dealing with the Federal Police to fulfill your visa requirements is nothing short of a nightmare. And I still get on buses before I know where they are going.
Nevertheless, I’m here learning how to draw the line between pushing and accepting my limitations and trying to fit in. You won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try. Luckily, failure is not all bad. Try. Mess up. And learn from your mistakes. There are so many opportunities and experiences to be learned through complete and utter failure.
In the end, experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And when you do succeed, not only will you have accomplished what others could not; hopefully your accomplishments will be long-lasting. But you never know until you try.
Latest posts by Acoirac
- Sex and Violence Sells: But Please, No Gawking Allowed! - May 10th, 2010
- World Urban Forum: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - March 25th, 2010
- It All Started with Our Apple IIGS... - February 23rd, 2010
- Removal is a Social Crime! - February 18th, 2010
- Vacation, All I Ever Wanted - February 1st, 2010
- My City of Ruins - January 25th, 2010
- Community Theater: Nós do Morro - January 12th, 2010
- You Down with UPP (Yeah you know me) - January 8th, 2010
- Day in the Life: MENGO! MENGO! MENGO, PORRA! ! - December 29th, 2009
- Rio Secures Giuliani for Security - December 17th, 2009
Wearekandc, let’s not get “comfortable” with failure. But, let’s recognize when it happens, and learn from it! You’re right, ultimately, what you learn will empower you in the future.
Someone very smart told me “Don’t panic when you get lost. Think of it as another adventure.”
Very true! Getting more comfortable with failure and uncertainty is tough but ultimately very empowering.