Traveling requires contemplation; life takes contemplation.
I expected to film in Chile – another never accomplished expectation. From the beginning, there were indeed several anticipations. In all ingenuity, I thought once the documentation started, access and view numbers would skyrocket, frequent comments would steer the project towards the correct decisions, and supporters would contribute with personal costs. None of these expectations were ever reached, and disappointment certainly made the reality harder to acknowledge. It took months to realize, but the mentality had to be changed if pre-established goals were ever to be achieved. One inevitable question cleared the truth: who rather than what.
Recognition, numbers, profit: these were indeed misleading expectations. I initiated the project thinking about inspiring those behind their computer screens; yet, the inspiration came from those in front of the camera. I was simply an observer, a mediator, connecting successful stories around the world; and in the particular case of non-profit struggles, success has distinct implications. Triumph depends on people of change: peacemakers, listeners, problem solvers, visionaries. Ignore corporate empires, flashing lights or champagne toasts; only genuine success can be measured in smiles – one source of infinite contemplation.
Traveling requires gratitude; life takes gratitude.
Despite all expectations, the experiences far exceed whichever pre-envisioned reality (or dream) I might have had; and for this precise motive, I am forever grateful. The contact procedure was arduous: it would always start with extensive research, down to a selection of relevant organizations and eventual emailing/phoning. However, out of five or six contact attempts, only one (if that) would positively reply. Regardless of the unsupportive response ratio, the organizations that replied always seemed to provide the most appropriate alternative. Elephants in Namibia, health care in Burundi, business loans in Indonesia and youth education in Turkey: one success after the other.
Along the journey, people often inquired the reason why I was committed to this project. Several did not understand what (read things) I gained from the experience. And as much as I would try to explain, ultimately confusing myself with my own explanations (I must confess it was not always clear), I would eventually just look around, into the individuals’ eyes, acknowledge the moment and declare: “for this precise reason.” Like one simple finger snap, they understood. Volunteering can be indeed one ungrateful occupation; especially for those committed to the wrong reasons. The wise know that volunteering is the gratification itself; the ability to forgo otherwise devious rewards. In fact, any life occupation can be detrimental if done purely out of desire. Solitary desire blinds us from gratitude; add passion and joy, and you got a successful combination.
Traveling requires enjoyment; life takes enjoyment.
Easter Island, in all its beauty and mystery, added an exclamation point to the end of the journey. Sunsets over the Pacific, long hikes through deserted lands, and an idiosyncratic culture: these are the essence of long-lasting memories. I remember one particular afternoon, after an entire day of sightseeing, my brother and I sat by a line of fifteen Easter Island statues, cautiously restored and preserved. Waves hit the rocks behind their backs, eyes focused on the sky above and green fields stretched beneath their feet; there, we sat and rested.
Oh, the moments of joy. The great majority of the steps have been achieved through smiles. I could further reminisce for paragraphs and paragraphs, turning smiles into laughs; but those will come naturally within time. Life takes planning, decisions, contemplation and gratitude; most importantly, life takes enjoyment. Always remember, if along the journey you happen to share one genuine smile, it can only mean one thing: true happiness. Look around, acknowledge the moment and declare: “for this precise reason.”
We walk, we fly, we run, we sail, we travel; in life we are all just passengers. We have children to continue the journey; we leave possessions behind, we write our history; yet, only the travels are eternal. And after one successful circle around the globe, consisted of walks, flights, runs and rides, one remaining question has tears of joy running down its answer: how can I be going home, when I have been home this entire travel?
First half of the article:
http://fernandosapelli.com/passenger-life-layover/
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Hi, there. My name is Victor and I’m a student of teacher Karlini. Remember her? She told us on class about what you do and I guess you’re going to speak about that on Wednesday. I’m writing you ’cause she said “who do that will have a better grade”, hahahah. Kidding. I think what you do is pretty amazing. Most of people that are rich never would use their money the way you do. You must be a really good person. Congratulations, man. Keep the good work.
Ah, good text by the way. Your english is perfect.
Bye Bye.
Oi Fernando…
Me chamo Gabriele e sou aluna da teacher Karline do Energia de Brusque.Ela nos apresentou seu trabalho sabendo o quão importante,e merecedor de reconhecimento ele é.
Esse seu texto mi chamou muito atenção e percebi que com todo trabalho e cansaço vem com sua gratidão. Mas ver os diferentes modelos de vida e paisagens que nos cercam e até então são desconhecidas é fabuloso. Se toda história, trabalho ou gratidão viesse acompanhados de um sorriso, dá até pra imaginar quão diferente seria a nossa vida. Viver a nossa própria vida é intenso demais, dentro de casa, com nossos planos modelados e a vida seguindo… mas estar viajando e seguindo caminhos diferentes é como se sentir em casa. O lugar é apenas outro ponto de vista.
Você esta de parabéns Fernando!Todo seu projeto,incluindo textos,fotos, e toda a dedicação neles colocada resultou em um ótimo trabalho que realmente deveria ser mais reconhecido e valorizado.Espero que isso ainda venha acontecer.
olá Fernando Sapelli, meu nome é Frank e conheci seu trabalho atráves da professora Karline, gostei muito de suas fotos e de seus textos também, as fotos que mais curti foram da ilha da páscoa.
Oii Fernando!
Conheci o seu projeto pela Karline (Brusque), só queria dizer que a sua iniciativa é admirável. Seus artigos são ótimos, os lugares pra onde você viaja são incríveis. Imagino que doar seu tempo, suas expectativas e adaptar toda a sua vida em prol de divulgar o trabalho de ONG Hey Fernando!
My teacher (Kali) told us about your job, so I decided visit you website. Your articles are incredible, the places where you go are wonderful, and what you do is admirable.Do you know, give your time, your expectations, maybe part of your life with the purpose of help persons you have never saw. Persons with a diferent culture, with diferent beliefs. The only thing pass on my mind is that you, guy, have a lot of spunk. Traveling alone, to places where sometimes the contact is impossible and the acces are hard, really, I should it’s so grim. So, I wish you all lucky and success on your path. Big hugh, Liz.
Oi Fer! É a Tice! Só quero dizer que teu trabalho ficou maravilhoso! Eu acompanhei desde o começo!!! Me emocionei com o último vídeo na Ilha de Páscoa! Parabéns! Um beijão da sua prima!
Eu achei sua escolha de viajar sozinho,sem quase nenhum dinheiro para se sustentar e ir atrás de patrocino,sem voltar com lucro e só querer um reconhecimento,teu ato de querer mostrar culturas diferentes mostra teu potencial para ser um diretor,queria muito te conhecer pessoalmente ver sobre tudo isso que você fez,sem querer lucro e só querer um reconhecimento e mostra culturas diferente para inspirar pessoas que você nem conhece,vou sempre continuar no seu site e ver como esta sua vida fora do Brasil.Abraço e boa sorte.