{"id":615,"date":"2024-02-11T19:02:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T19:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liferunways.com\/?page_id=615"},"modified":"2024-10-01T07:53:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T07:53:28","slug":"echoes-of-favela-a-psychologists-reflection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/liferunways.com\/?page_id=615","title":{"rendered":"Echoes of Favela: A Psychologist\u2019s Reflection\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"615\" class=\"elementor elementor-615\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-815dfcf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"815dfcf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-773c8c9\" data-id=\"773c8c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0015717 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0015717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11efe19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11efe19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ECHOES OF FAVELA : A PSYCHOLOGIST'S REFLECTION <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-912d713 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"912d713\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d6d9efb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d6d9efb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2a54bd\" data-id=\"a2a54bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-670c394 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"670c394\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>My craving to explore as much as I can, to learn and to delve deeper into our existence and the into world we live in, led me one day to visit a favela in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p><p>In this article, I will capture that day as I experienced it, through my own lens and filter. By describing my experience, I will try to provide my perspective and how it connects with humanity at large, as well as how each of us learns to exist in this world based on our own reality, and the lessons we have been taught from our family first, and then from the society we grew up.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ed098a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ed098a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c98cc5\" data-id=\"3c98cc5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-005403e elementor-headline--style-highlight elementor-widget elementor-widget-animated-headline\" data-id=\"005403e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;marker&quot;:&quot;underline&quot;,&quot;highlighted_text&quot;:&quot;Favela&quot;,&quot;headline_style&quot;:&quot;highlight&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;highlight_animation_duration&quot;:1200,&quot;highlight_iteration_delay&quot;:8000}\" data-widget_type=\"animated-headline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/liferunways.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor-pro\/assets\/css\/widget-animated-headline.min.css\">\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-wrapper elementor-headline-text-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-headline-dynamic-text elementor-headline-text-active\">Favela<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ddcc4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8ddcc4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The term &#8220;favela&#8221; refers to the impoverished neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, also known as shantytowns or slums. Poor neighborhoods exist in various parts of the world, but what sets Rio&#8217;s favelas apart is their location. They are located within a breath&#8217;s distance from wealthy areas and they form a prominent feature of the city. Walking just a few minutes can take you from a luxurious five-star hotel to the entrance of a favela.<\/p>\n<p>Social inequalities and economic difficulties have led to the creation of these settlements. Each favela began to be literally built by the hands of its own residents, slowly but steadily ascending entire hills and forming distinct communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-19c3f13\" data-id=\"19c3f13\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b19b93 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"1b19b93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1708607209865.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:825,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.1000000000000001,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor-pro - v3.18.0 - 17-01-2024 *\/\n.e-lottie__container{display:inline-block;max-width:var(--lottie-container-max-width);width:var(--lottie-container-width);opacity:var(--lottie-container-opacity)}.e-lottie__container:hover{opacity:var(--lottie-container-opacity-hover);transition-duration:var(--lottie-container-transition-duration-hover)}.e-lottie__container svg,.e-lottie__container svg *{transition:none!important}.e-lottie__caption{color:var(--caption-color);margin-top:var(--caption-margin-top);text-align:var(--caption-text-align)}<\/style><div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8e063e7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8e063e7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b6bf0a\" data-id=\"8b6bf0a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a9c2df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a9c2df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These are autonomous neighborhoods with their own laws and rules. They are under the control of gangs and operate within the framework of an informal institutional system. Simplistically, they could be characterized as autonomous areas within the country. Of course, the living conditions prevailing in them are far from ideal, as poor infrastructure, low quality of life, inequality, and violence often dominate the daily lives of the residents. Today, in Rio alone, it is estimated that there are over 1000 favelas. In total, approximately 6% of Brazil&#8217;s population experiences life in these neighborhoods.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-61e4e0e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"61e4e0e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57b3709\" data-id=\"57b3709\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8077223 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8077223\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><u>BEYOND THE BROCHURES: A GLIMPSE INTO A FAVELA OF RIO DE JANEIRO.<\/u><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fbfbd2c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fbfbd2c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53d1a4d\" data-id=\"53d1a4d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18bcaa2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"18bcaa2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A wandering mind in rio.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f2fe2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f2fe2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I remember that day; the weather was gloomy. It wasn&#8217;t a sunny and bright morning, yet the famous beachfront streets of Copacabana and Ipanema were buzzing with life. Among the hundreds of people walking by the sea that morning, I was there too.<\/p><p>My day started on the seaside street of Ipanema. However, I must admit that my mind kept drifting away from the endless beach with its white sand and emerald waters. My gaze often turned in the other direction where the tall buildings hid the hills of Rio. I was trying to steal a glance and wander back and forth among the skyscrapers to see the small, colorful houses protruding on the mountain. I really wanted to visit a favela. I wanted to see the other reality of this city, beyond the luxurious hotels and the expensive restaurants. I wanted to feel what it means to come from a place like this. I wanted to feel those people.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aeca4a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aeca4a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ce80be\" data-id=\"2ce80be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57faafd elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"57faafd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1707677849696.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:619,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dfb68e7\" data-id=\"dfb68e7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2bf649 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2bf649\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The truth is, whenever I expressed my plans, the responses I received were invariably lacking in encouragement. Everyone was discouraging about the idea, and many times the opinions I heard were so negative that I began to think I might be too naive and irresponsible from my side to want to go there. Of course, then the internal contradictory came, which also had strong arguments.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b806232 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b806232\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a900d2\" data-id=\"7a900d2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-477c2a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"477c2a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before this desire took root in my mind, I had done my research, talked to people who had visited such places, and gathered plenty of information. From my personal investigation, I didn&#8217;t feel like it was a crazy idea, but more that I should be cautious and not provocative, wearing or having expensive items, which seemed entirely fair and logical to me. Nevertheless, up to that moment, the voice of the majority &#8211; which seemed to be the voice of logic- prevailed, and I compromised with my wandering on the bustling streets of Rio.<\/p><p>At some point, someone from the group I was with, mentioned that he had been to a favela located just behind us. He told me that this experience was one of the most intense in his life. He had been accompanied by a local guide, but at that time, he didn&#8217;t know exactly where they were going or what it meant to be in such a neighborhood. Due to his ignorance, he didn&#8217;t feel any fear for the time they spent there; on the contrary, he felt welcomed by the people and enchanted by the place. Now, knowing more about these neighborhoods, he hesitated to go back. However, unexpectedly, he told me that if I still wanted to go, he would come with me.<\/p><p>Even now, with someone in front of me sharing his personal experience from the favela, I could hear in my mind dozens of voices, telling me,<i> &#8220;No&#8221;, \u201cDon\u2019t &#8220;, &#8220;You are crazy just for thinking about it&#8221;. <\/i>Of course, I had second thoughts and I wasn&#8217;t sure about this. Of course, I felt a bit worried , but ultimately, I succumbed to my personal instinct, and I said,<i> &#8220;Let&#8217;s go.&#8221;<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f16130 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f16130\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e398dfa\" data-id=\"e398dfa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d17c89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d17c89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The journey begins..<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66cb6e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"66cb6e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The sky had become even cloudier, and even though it was still midday, you could feel that dusk was approaching. We took a taxi and found ourselves at the foothills of the favela, where there was a small colorful square. That was the closest point the driver could drop us. Next to the main road, at the base of the hill, a patrol car was parked with a rotating red light on top of it. From this point onwards, it is not typical for either the police, or someone outside the favela to proceed. It&#8217;s like an unofficial reality. An exception is made for tourists who can climb the hill either on foot or by using motorbike taxis that take you to the top of the mountain, where there are located two caf\u00e9 bars. These two dining places are mainly intended for tourists, but you can also see local residents, especially on weekends when parties are organized.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f386740 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f386740\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e9d294a\" data-id=\"e9d294a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75db0d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75db0d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before we could take two steps away from the small square, those drivers surrounded us. After agreeing on the price, I got on the motorcycle, and the journey began.<\/p><p>As we had been advised not to take any photos or videos inside the favela, I was trying to capture in my mind as much as I could. Every house, every person, and every turn we passed by.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54904fc\" data-id=\"54904fc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce57545 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"ce57545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1707678139565.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:620,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c16d2f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c16d2f1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-816d4e7\" data-id=\"816d4e7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7016035 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7016035\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Crossing the invisible line.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6464ee0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6464ee0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The route was like a circular ring. The more turns the motorcycle made, the higher and deeper we found ourselves in the favela. The road was steep, narrow, and at many points, two cars could barely fit side by side. The motorcycle frequently crossed paths with other vehicles, making maneuvers that were taking your breath away.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f20bb5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f20bb5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-252a88e\" data-id=\"252a88e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f42f91 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"9f42f91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1707678392528.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:625,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8042ef6\" data-id=\"8042ef6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14d1c76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14d1c76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I remember people sitting on the sidewalks, looking at us as we passed by, some waving, some saying something in Portuguese, and others simply smiling. There were also those who seemed more unapproachable, maybe even hostile. They would give us a quick glance and continue on their way. I remember passing in front of a narrow alley, and as I looked inside, I saw a group of children playing in front of houses, kicking a ball. I recall small local restaurants, supermarkets, hair salons, grocery stores, and everything that a society as we know it, has. The walls were covered in lively and colorful graffiti, adding energy and style to the scene. These colorful expressions prove that creativity, art, and inspiration will always find a way to be expressed and shine, no matter the circumstances.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fe02301 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fe02301\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a285b5f\" data-id=\"a285b5f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cebcf4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cebcf4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Observing these people in their everyday lives, it didn&#8217;t seem to have any difference from any other small town. The only difference was that this neighborhood was developing vertically on the mountain and instead of tall buildings and skyscrapers, there were small, simple, colorful houses, one next to the other, separated only by thin dividing walls.<\/p><p>My feelings during the journey created an inexplicable combination, ranging from admiration, curiosity, and enthusiasm to a hint of worry. I am not sure how long this journey lasted. As I recall it, it feels like a slow motion route, with specific moments, landscapes, and people framing it. Whether it was 5 minutes or 20, today only images remain in my memory.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f1b336 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f1b336\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24da11d\" data-id=\"24da11d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc38454 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cc38454\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stepping into the favela.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b00c3d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b00c3d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At some point, we took a final turn and we reached the top of the hill. The following minutes are etched in my memory. The driver stopped, and speaking in Portuguese combined with a few English words, he told me that we had arrived. I turned to look behind me, and the second motorcycle with my friend also stopped. Around us, there were only ruins, landfills, and dumpsites. I couldn&#8217;t see any traces of the daily life of the favela&#8217;s residents anymore. It was like an abandoned landscape, forgotten by life. Among some small buildings, you could see narrow alleyways like paths, which I didn&#8217;t want to imagine at all what they might hide. I couldn&#8217;t spot any bar around me or any sign of a nearby dining place. Curious, I asked my friend if he recognized this place since he had been there before, and he replied that he did not.<\/p><p>I wanted to beg the driver not to leave, to shout that I had changed my mind and wanted him to take me back, to bring me down where everything was familiar to me and where I was feeling safe. However, I said nothing.<\/p><p>Suddenly, while I stood there motionless and shocked, a young child, around 13-15 years old, appeared in front of us. He gestured with his hand and told us to follow him. A voice inside me automatically shouted, <i>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t want to, I&#8217;m fine here&#8221; <\/i>but the rest of my body, as if not communicating with my mind, started to follow him. I think, deep down I knew there was no other choice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2551d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a2551d6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb8fa4e\" data-id=\"bb8fa4e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e6f986 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e6f986\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>My steps were heavy, and I felt so much fear that my legs were trembling, and my whole body had gone limp. When I realized that the child was leading us down a path, I felt like my heart would stop. There was no one around us, and if there was, I don&#8217;t remember it. What I remember is an abandoned landscape and another boy around 16 years old standing outside an old building, wearing something that seemed imposing and frightening to me. I don&#8217;t know if it was a uniform, if it was a backpack worn on his chest, or anything else. I still don&#8217;t know if he actually held an automatic weapon in his hands or if I just imagined it. All I know is that I felt that he was staring at us, persistently and intensely.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac1dfbf\" data-id=\"ac1dfbf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b483c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"02b483c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1707678687200.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:626,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bade62e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bade62e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f1dcf3\" data-id=\"7f1dcf3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d39e657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d39e657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As my body moved automatically, detached from my emotions, I saw the entrance of a bar in front of me. I didn&#8217;t think about anything; I just rushed toward the door. That door seemed like an oasis in the nightmare that I was living in my mind. At the entrance, there was a beautiful girl standing, and it felt like a link to the life as I knew it, a connection to the modern civilized world.<\/p><p>I turned and looked at the boy, saying,<i> &#8220;Obrigado&#8221;. <\/i>He probably thought I was thanking him for accompanying me there, while in reality, I thanked him for being safe and still alive. The boy extended his hand, rubbing his fingers together and muttered,<i> &#8220;Money!&#8221;. <\/i>It was the first time I looked at his face. He seemed indifferent, as if he had absolutely no emotions within him, and the way he looked at me was mechanical, as if my presence was invisible. I took out\u00a0<span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-style: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-style ); text-transform: var( --e-global-typography-text-text-transform );\">from my pocket<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-style: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-style ); text-transform: var( --e-global-typography-text-text-transform );\">\u00a0a few notes , and as I handed them to him, I looked at him in the eyes, I smiled and I gently patted his shoulder with my hand, which was still trembling. I am as certain -as I am that I am breathing at this moment- that he wanted to smile back but he couldn&#8217;t. Either he had never learned, or he had forgotten to share affectionate emotions.<\/span><\/p><p>Whilst we parted ways, one question came in my mind and has followed me until today. How was it possible, just a few minutes earlier, to think that this child could harm me? Isn&#8217;t it obvious? This is what I&#8217;ve learned, this is what I know, and this is familiar to me. If you combine my social experiences, with the advices that I received from those around me before coming to this place, that\u2019s how the scenario I created in my mind, about how this soul intended to harm me, took shape. How could I even think about it?.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7180870 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7180870\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-61d1c19\" data-id=\"61d1c19\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12c41ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"12c41ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From cityscapes to favela insights.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18b63f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"18b63f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Entering the bar, my heart began to beat at its normal pace. We went up to the terrace, and I remember the waiter welcoming us with a warm smile. I don&#8217;t know why, but after he led us to the table, my friend extended his hand, and they exchanged a handshake. I, on the other hand, just gave him a quick hug, similar with the kind of embrace two friends share when they meet. To be honest, my own reaction didn&#8217;t surprise me much, as it&#8217;s a gesture familiar to me. However, it was the first time it happened with someone entirely unknown and under these circumstances. What caught my curiosity was the handshake between my friend and him. It seemed odd because it&#8217;s not something I&#8217;ve seen before or something that commonly happens.<\/p><p>The only thought that crossed my mind and made me smile is that respect, love, and kindness are so contagious that if everyone had them, the world would undoubtedly be a better place. I also thought that it was a silent, indirect, and unconscious way of saying,<i> &#8220;Thank you for welcoming us&#8221;<\/i> with him responding, <i>&#8220;Thank you for coming&#8221;<\/i>. Interestingly, the only image I now have in my memory of that man, is a blurred face with large, white teeth smiling at me.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1e7a5c0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1e7a5c0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a3521c\" data-id=\"5a3521c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8fb138 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"d8fb138\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1708608754102.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:831,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a58b36\" data-id=\"7a58b36\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c1ac1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c1ac1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The bar was almost empty. It was just us, a group of three girls from the favela and another group of tourists. Describing the energy of the place and the beauty of the landscape in front of me is extremely difficult. At my feet, I could see Rio in its entirety. I could see the entire slope down to the sea. The countless colorful houses were coming down the hill irregularly, meeting the rest of the city. I could still spot the Sheraton hotel standing out among the other buildings. The hill seemed to blend in with the city around it. Two worlds so close and yet so far away, I thought.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f9b0659 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f9b0659\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3db002\" data-id=\"b3db002\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a30d15a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a30d15a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The moment when it started pouring down rain didn&#8217;t take long to come. We were literally inside a thick gray cloud. I felt like by stretching out my arms, I could touch it. Suddenly, I realized that I was literally shaking. Even today, I can&#8217;t understand if it was from the cold, or because inside me, I still hadn&#8217;t recovered from the fear I felt until we got there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2eb287f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2eb287f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-430bb9b\" data-id=\"430bb9b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ab1ea2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ab1ea2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The way back.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93fa96e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"93fa96e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It had already gotten dark, and the rain didn&#8217;t seem like it would stop soon. I started to worry again about how we would go back down to the city. No matter how positively I tried to see it, the favela wasn&#8217;t an ideal place to stay alone at night. We stand up and went down to the entrance of the bar. Despite the deep darkness prevailing, looking at the small alley in front of the bar, it didn&#8217;t seem as threatening and frightening as it had appeared a few hours earlier.<\/p><p>The same girl at the reception informed us that there was a small van available, exclusively intended to transport tourists from the top of the hill to the foothills of the favela. It seemed to be the only option we had after all.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-89d5bb6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"89d5bb6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1546d8f\" data-id=\"1546d8f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec00f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec00f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We boarded the small white van, and before I could even take a normal breath, I realized that the engine wasn&#8217;t starting. That was the moment I decided that if we made it back to the hotel that night, I would write about this experience. The night was even more intense away from the lights of the bar, and the rain was falling unceasingly. When I saw two local young people behind the minivan, pushing it together with the driver, I&#8217;m sure I was silently praying inside me. After a considerable amount of time and many attempts, the van finally started, and we found ourselves on the way back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-90453fe\" data-id=\"90453fe\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a373666 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-lottie\" data-id=\"a373666\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;source_json&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/liferunways.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Animation-1707679795190.json&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:640,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;media_file&quot;,&quot;caption_source&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;trigger&quot;:&quot;arriving_to_viewport&quot;,&quot;viewport&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:0,&quot;end&quot;:100}},&quot;play_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;start_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;end_point&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;renderer&quot;:&quot;svg&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"lottie.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-lottie__container\"><div class=\"e-lottie__animation\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-db3de73 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"db3de73\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cbf0d16\" data-id=\"cbf0d16\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e58ae2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e58ae2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Inside the bus, together with us, there was a group of tourists and two men from the favela sitting opposite from us. They weren&#8217;t wearing shirts, they had a smooth chocolate skin, and their short hair was dyed with a vibrant yellow color. In society, as I&#8217;ve come to know it, their appearance would, at the very least, evoke suspicion and caution. I didn&#8217;t know why they were accompanying us, but personally to be honest, I never decided whether their presence worried me or created a sense of calmness and security. I think I was just waiting to reach the end of the route to make up my mind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d24c770 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d24c770\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d721bc\" data-id=\"4d721bc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f64169 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f64169\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The closure of the journey.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09ab3c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"09ab3c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is how we reached the base of the hill. None of the countless negative scenarios I had imagined came true.<\/p><p>In the safety at the bottom of the favela, we sat down at a small local restaurant, where I had two full glasses of Caipirinha in order to calm down from the high heart rate I had developed that day. The small kiosk was run by a sweet lady and her daughter, a small, beautiful, shy, and smiling girl. They were residents of the favela, as they told us with their broken English during the brief conversation we had.<\/p><p>Despite the fact that rain continued to fall heavily, with the loud and noisy atmosphere from the main road next to us being deafening, I was experiencing moments of absolute tranquility and deep thinking.<\/p><p>From what I lived, saw, and witnessed that day, I could see only beauty on all levels. The only element that shadowed my experience was the moments when I allowed fear to overcome me. A fear that, ultimately, I realized was neither justified, nor my own. However, I will explain more about this further.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a1efd0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a1efd0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68a2da9\" data-id=\"68a2da9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef7ea9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ef7ea9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><u>THROUGH THE LENSES OF REFLECTION.<\/u>.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3825ed3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3825ed3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-957fa9e\" data-id=\"957fa9e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40e3598 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"40e3598\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> The inspirational power of diversity.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e2c6e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e2c6e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Completing this story, I hope I managed to convey what my eyes saw and what my heart felt during this day. In the event that you were able to see through my words the images I described, I would like you to think and reflect on whether you perceived what I described in the same way. What would you see if you were there?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>What each of us looks at, what we see, and how we ultimately interpret it is something completely different and subjective. The more limited our perspective is, the more one-sided and simplistic our view of the world becomes. The filter through which all the images and information they accompany are formed, depends on how we grew up, our experiences, what we were taught, our beliefs, and the values we hold. All the above are shaping how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. The way I experienced what I narrated may make sense to me, but for someone else, it might be just another day in the diary of their life. However, all perspectives are equally important as they can provide us with food for thought and knowledge.<\/p><p>The same applies to people who were born, raised, and live in the favela. The way they learned to function and perceive life is entirely different from ours, or at least from mine. This doesn&#8217;t make them neither worse nor better but just different. Approaching diversity with respect means that we are respecting ourselves first.<\/p><p>None of us chose where we would be born, nor how and where we would grow up. However, what we can choose is to use the abilities given to each of us wisely. The more generous life was with us, the more generous we can be towards others. Generous with our behavior, with our emotions, and with our hearts. Not because we have to, but in order to give value to what has been offered to us. For example, if someone has received plenty of love, knowledge, and care, what&#8217;s the point of keeping it to themselves? Surely, it won&#8217;t make more of it, and certainly, it won&#8217;t benefit the person. However, if all these are directed outward, think about the impact it could have. The same applies when someone has been neglected in life. How important is it for those who had abundance to learn from that person about strength, resilience and courage? That&#8217;s where our strength lies\u2014in the ability to complement each other rather than comparing ourselves. To offer where we have more and to receive where we have less. That comes in all levels, not just the materialistic things.<\/p><p>Therefore, the different perspectives that two individuals may have do not necessarily have to cause points of disagreement or conflict. On the contrary, it can be a golden opportunity for us to learn from each other, cultivate our creative thinking, and develop our ability for mutual understanding and acceptance of our environment and the people around us.<\/p><p>In other words, by acknowledging our differences, we can leverage them to achieve more meaningful communication, foster better and successful interpersonal relationships, find a more effective way to resolve conflicts, and consequently, establish a harmonious relationship with the world we live in.<\/p><p>The fact that we differ, offers us the gift of uniqueness and should be treated as such\u2014a gift in our lives rather than an insurmountable gap that separates us.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d9152d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d9152d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68b86ae\" data-id=\"68b86ae\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d03f0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d03f0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">We are enough.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eec7077 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eec7077\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>My experience in the favela gave me food for thought for a long time afterwards. Questions that often arise within me became clearer and more imperative. What does it ultimately means for someone to have &#8220;enough&#8221;? If I compare my &#8220;enough&#8221; with the &#8220;enough&#8221; of these people, will it be the same? And when does someone&#8217;s desire to have more in life stops ? Does it ever stops? If I were to ask those I met in the favela if I have enough, I am sure they would answer<i> &#8220;Yes&#8221;<\/i>. However, do I feel the same way? Are there people whom I look at and think that they have enough? Why do most residents of this neighborhood appear carefree, while in my world, where we have many more goods and conveniences, anxiety and stress prevail?<\/p><p>In my social reality, where everything is primarily based on image and competition, there is little room for authenticity and imperfection. From a very young age, in the early grades of school, we begin to learn that rewards come when we achieve high grades, when we are not naughty, when we are &#8220;good kids&#8221; \u2013 in other words, when we conform our behavior to the expectations of our parents. Our frame starts taking shape gradually from then on. After the family, society follows , and as we grow older, becomes increasingly demanding of us. We learned to strive for praise and admiration. To become \u201cenough \u201c. In the same way we learned to evaluate those around us. We overlooked that existence, to be sufficient, does not require effort but authenticity. We neglected to embrace our gifts and flaws as allies of our uniqueness. We failed to develop our talents and accept our weaknesses. Ultimately we dedicate ourselves to be enough and to unconsciously please others.<\/p><p>How many times have you truly felt that you had enough? That nothing was missing from your life anymore? When was the last time you felt self-sufficient? How many times have you felt that something was lacking, and when you achieved it, suddenly a new need emerged?<\/p><p>Let&#8217;s go through some examples:<\/p><p>Do you feel that you have done well and that you are earning enough money? If not, let&#8217;s assume that tomorrow you will receive a promotion and double salary. Would you then feel that you have enough?<\/p><p>Let&#8217;s say your partner tells you and do everything you need to feel loved. Would that be enough? And if yes, for how long before you start doubting again?<\/p><p>If you are a parent and your child comes into your arms and confesses how much they love you, would that be enough to convince you, or would it need to be constantly reminded?<\/p><p>If you buy that house that you&#8217;ve always wanted and dreamed of, would it be enough? Or will you realize later on that you would like one with a bigger living room and a separate dining area?<\/p><p>Are you satisfied with what you have? If not, how much would be enough for you?<\/p><p>We have so thoroughly embraced the ideas and images that our society promotes that nothing in our lives ever seems to be sufficient. Social media, television, and advertisements are just a few of the fingers that constantly reminding us that we are not enough. The perfect house in a movie, the ideal dress in an advertisement, the flawless woman or the perfect man in a photograph, the perfect couple on Instagram \u2013 how many perfections bombard us daily, and how many of them are truly realistic?<\/p><p>Our perception of what is enough has been curved by a relentless stream of fake perfection. The flawlessly filtered images and carefully scripted scenes create an illusion that affects our lives, making us question our own adequacy. Social media platforms showcase ideal lives, glossy magazine pages portray unattainable beauty standards, and commercials present a world where material possessions equate to happiness. We are continuously forced to believe that we need more to be complete and this cycle never ends. A new phone better than the previous one, a new car even more developed, a new beauty product that will make us shine. There is always something that we need and we convinced ourselves that this means success. Simply put, unconsciously we have been taught that we are not enough and that we will never be.<\/p><p>For better or for worse, the reality is that most of us have learned to exist in a constant feeling of inadequacy and an unending pursuit for something better than what we already have. I&#8217;ll leave it to your critical thinking to decide whether it&#8217;s a personal need for evolution or an insatiable dissatisfaction what guides us.<\/p><p>Reflecting on all the above, I realized that the characteristics of warmth, carefree spirit, self-sufficiency, and positivity were mostly found in individuals from lower economic and social classes. I experienced it in India, Mexico, Vietnam, Africa, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines, Peru and, of course, in the favelas of Rio. In these places, I observed that the pursuit of materialism often took a back seat to the richness of human connections and the appreciation of life&#8217;s simple joys. It prompted me to question whether social structures, economic backgrounds, and cultural influences play a significant role in shaping our perception of satisfaction.<\/p><p><i>This led me to formulate a hypothesis based on the structure of each society and how it influences the sense of completeness.<\/i><\/p><p>Someone born and raised in a favela learns the harsh side of life early on. They don&#8217;t experience competition and they don&#8217;t try to surpass others or become better than someone else. Every effort they make to succeed and overcome themselves is for their own sake, to have an easier life for themselves and their family. Their struggle is primarily oriented towards survival. Their society accepts them without asking for anything more than to be themselves. This way, they escape from the pursuit of perfection, as perfection has no place in their world. In reality, perfection has no place anywhere; it&#8217;s merely an illusory misconception.<\/p><p>In this way, these individuals learn to exist liberated from the chain of unworthiness and inadequacy. For them, to feel that they have enough, it is not significantly tied to material possessions or personal and professional successes, but rather to the gratitude for their own existence.<\/p><p>The sense of fulfillment is not something objective but an internal process. In order to feel that you have enough, you must feel sufficient within yourself. To feel sufficient, you need to accept and love yourself for exactly who you are, along with your flaws and imperfections. If you don&#8217;t consistently do this, you will be trying to change something that cannot be changed; the beautiful and unique essence of yourself.<\/p><p>A challenge often arises at this point because the way we&#8217;ve learned to perceive ourselves and exist in the world doesn&#8217;t always support and embrace this uniqueness. However, if some have achieved it effortlessly and with much less than what they need, then surely each one of us can reach that point as well.<\/p><p>As long as the measure for comparison in your life is the lives and achievements of others, you will never emerge as a winner, and certainly, you will never feel enough. Someone will always be better at something and worse at something else. It&#8217;s a comparison that will never be equitable.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>When you believe you haven&#8217;t achieved enough, remember that for someone else, you already have everything. The only thing that changes is the different perspective. You are enough without even trying, because you are simply you. You don&#8217;t need anyone besides yourself to affirm it. Trust yourself, live, and do what you wish and dream of, unaffected by what others deem ideal. Perhaps, in this way, you will become the inspiration that will lead others to fulfillment too. You will find out that your success will then have a different taste because it will stem from sincere and personal motivations. Even your failures won&#8217;t come with disappointment, but instead, you will embrace them with gratitude. Because then you will know that no one ever became better without mistakes. You will have accepted that you&#8217;re not perfect, but it won&#8217;t bother you anymore, as you won&#8217;t perceive it as a disadvantage or weakness.<\/p><p>In conclusion, my aim is by no means to diminish the significance of success, personal or professional goals, and progress. On the contrary, I want to emphasize that all of the above should serve in a way to liberate ourselves by channeling our abilities and gifts, rather than living imprisoned merely to attain them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5eca70c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5eca70c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ca050ee\" data-id=\"ca050ee\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a4ef83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0a4ef83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fear or bias ?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4174154\" data-id=\"4174154\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1095403 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"1095403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-meh\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a534f7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6a534f7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f807d96\" data-id=\"f807d96\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d360741 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d360741\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Returning now to the feelings of nervousness and fear that I experienced that day, I have to tell you that it was not entirely compatible with reality. If I isolate from the scene the advice and opinions of those around me, my dysfunctional beliefs cultivated in the society I live in, and everything I have learned and been taught from the first day of my life until today, there was nothing else threatening to my safety. Not for a moment I did face any danger, exactly as my friend had told me based on his own experience. Nevertheless, even if no one showed any intention of harming me, I felt fear. This is yet another vivid example that the way we perceive the world is closely connected to our past, what we have learned, and how these factors have shaped us.<\/p>\n<p>This fact is not necessarily negative, as through our personal shaping, knowledge, and experiences, we have the opportunity to assess situations, make decisions, and navigate through life, doing what we believe is best for us. However, the distance in utilizing what we know with prejudice is enormous. It is important to learn how to use our knowledge to open doors and not to close them. I will try to present my thought with another example from this experience.<\/p>\n<p>It is widely known that crime in the city of Rio, as in any place with economic inequalities, is a reality. Wherever you go, even in the most developed and famous areas, you must be particularly careful with your personal belongings. Personally, I know a few cases where people were threatened with a knife to hand over any valuable items they had on them, and this did not happen in impoverished neighborhoods. The stories I have heard are even more. However, no one has ever advised me not to visit Rio for this reason. There is only one approach that applies to everyone there, and that is to &#8220;Be cautious.&#8221; On the contrary, it is not common for visitors to be robbed inside the favelas.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The prevalent crime in those areas is associated with issues unrelated to tourists. Nevertheless, caution and reticence towards favelas is clearly more intense than any other area in Rio.<\/p>\n<p>This is the point where I would like to emphasize the difference between using our knowledge for a thoughtful evaluation of each situation and adhering to a rigid, inflexible and closed-minded way of thinking. We need to learn to discern when an opinion or a situation is objective and when it is not.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, I am coming to the conclusion that it is not the reality that creates the hesitations and leads to avoidance of such a place, but rather prejudice. Our own prejudices are what lead us to quick conclusions, such as &#8220;If someone lives in a favela must be a criminal&#8221; or &#8220;If someone is poor will steal from me.&#8221; Therefore, my fear was closely connected to my biases, the unconscious acceptance of the opinions of those who are coming from the same social environment as me and my thinking patterns.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Referring to the above, I do not intend to take a stance, or express any opinion on what may be happening within these neighborhoods, as that is not the purpose of this article. My approach is clearly oriented towards human cognitive patterns and how they influence our daily lives. I am trying to analyze and explain all this exclusively from the perspective of an external observer, that of a traveler.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/p>\n<p>As I reflect on my journey through the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro, my encounter with the favela stands out as a poignant reminder of the rich knowledge that experiences can offer. In the echoes of the favela, I found not just challenges but resilience, not just differences but similarities in our shared humanity.<\/p>\n<p>The exploration of diversity among us opened a doorway to understanding that our uniqueness is the very thread that connects us with each other. It is through embracing our differences that we create a harmonious mosaic, each individual contributing to the beauty of the whole.<\/p>\n<p>By understanding my feelings, I discovered that acknowledging our emotions is the first step toward dismantling the walls that separate us with the rest of the world . By recognizing our formed ideas, biases and fears, we pave the way for empathy, connection, and ultimately, a more compassionate world.<\/p>\n<p>Looking closely and carefully around us, we can delve into the profound realization that sufficiency is not found in material possessions but in embracing authenticity and acknowledging our intrinsic worth.<\/p>\n<p>As I look back on this day of my life, I am left with a deep appreciation for this experience.<\/p>\n<p>So, as we moving forward, let&#8217;s carry the spirit of the favela with us \u2013 a spirit defined by resilience, authenticity, and the recognition that true fulfillment comes from within. May we all find the courage to shape our own lives and create an existence rich in genuine connections and simple, heartfelt joys.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ECHOES OF FAVELA : A PSYCHOLOGIST&#8217;S REFLECTION My craving to explore as much as I can, to learn and to delve deeper into our existence and the into world we live in, led me one day to visit a favela in Rio de Janeiro. In this article, I will capture that day as I experienced [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Echoes of Favela: A Psychologist\u2019s Reflection\u00a0 - liferunways<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/liferunways.com\/?page_id=615\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Echoes of Favela: A Psychologist\u2019s Reflection\u00a0 - liferunways\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"ECHOES OF FAVELA : A PSYCHOLOGIST&#8217;S REFLECTION My craving to explore as much as I can, to learn and to delve deeper into our existence and the into world we live in, led me one day to visit a favela in Rio de Janeiro. 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