NEVER FORGET YOUR ORIGIN

Entrevista para Danilo Costa sobre a sensação de estar entre os homenageados da noite.

I've been thinking a lot about the power of thought for a few days now. I was honored at the PORTUGUESE BRAZILIAN AWARDS, a Brazilian and Portuguese community awards ceremony in New York (USA) last week, where I was singled out as a TV DIRECTOR. It was incredibly encouraging to see so many people believing in my abilities and supporting everything I produce in Brazilian audiovisual media. Often, we don't even realize how much our work has transcended cultural barriers, reaching places we couldn't imagine, and that's exactly what happened. My last two projects had audiences in New York, Boston, and even in Portugal.

As soon as I arrived in New York, I met a Brazilian man, and we discussed the reason for my visit and a summary of my year so far. He was emphatic:

"You are very lucky, because working with food (MASTERCHEFBR) and games (GILLETTE ULT), is the best job, I watch both shows!"

The first surprise of many on my quick trip to New York! But my history with this city goes way back...

As a teenager, I dreamed of being where Broadway actors made their careers. I imagined what it would be like to be there; all I could think of was from television or magazines. The internet wasn't even a reality back then. As the years passed, other dreams took over, and I began to set new goals.

I forgot about New York, I forgot about the theater, and I distanced myself from that magic. But deep down, all of that was still alive.

Many years passed, and that distant dream could have become a vacation plan, a professional adventure, but time had presented me with different alternatives, and I was as captivated by that reality as a teenager. I chose to stay here. I had gained structure with maturity and experience.

When I received the award invitation, I was numb and surprised, because I had never imagined being recognized for my work in the city that fueled my young and naive dreams. A movie came on. I organized my trip, tried to understand why I was being nominated as a standout in that place. I prepared a proud speech full of metaphors to impress. What a mistake.

I got there, and upon hearing the stories of the other honorees, I realized I had a greater and unique opportunity: to be able to listen more than talk, and that's what I did. I captured all that feeling from each person and thought, I can't be superficial, empty, I need to be sincere, simple, and say what I saw there and then, without rehearsal, all improvised... and so it was...

My goal is to continue creating content so that you feel at home, just as I felt when I stepped foot here.

This situation made me think of two powerful words: recognition and gratitude. Whenever someone shares a story about their life, be a good listener, because facing a microphone is a huge responsibility. It takes a lot of courage to hold back your emotions and summarize a path of struggle in a successful sentence!

Every path begins with a dream, but you need to prepare for it to become reality!

I encountered many stories of overcoming, struggle, desire, and focus. One thing was certain: everyone had something in common: resilience! The recognition made me feel like a "young Marisa" in flashes of emotion, imagination, vanity, discovery of the new, and adventure. The privilege of being there with real people brought me back to the "Marisa of gratitude," with the consolidation and certainty of building my career. I gained credibility and, with it, the confidence to know how to change when necessary, the humility to feel part of something, not exclusive.

I hope every professional can experience this feeling as they navigate their path! I feel privileged to do what I love, to generally bring together the people I want to work with. Thank you especially to those who believe in me and my projects.

My dear friend Erick Jacquin, who we were talking about, talked about making dreams come true and the power they have in our lives. More than just merit, he put in a lot of work, a lot of work, on this journey. Before I left, he told me:

"Never forget where you came from!"

Thanks Jacquin, it took me a while, but I got it!

This text was posted on Linkedin on 07/17/2019