When we talk about Prevention, we have to think about a limit. Yes, a limit, a fine line between reality and illusion. Although prevention is the idealization of something that is to come, unlike illusion, this idea is and is always based on the previous content one has regarding the experiences.  And learning that led the Human Being to reach this point in time is also part of this content. Therefore Consciousness.

Consciousness, more than makes prevention possible, hence it is not only to prevent but also to provide the necessary resolutions. Those who make use of it in an increasingly voluntary way, tend to find themselves less and less in situations that are difficult to solve. Avoiding the midst of doubts of a large scale and dimension. It is Consciousness that provides the path to prudence, which is contrary to the dazzle of the imagination.

As a human quality, Consciousness enables humanity to live based on anticipation as a safe method of action. Though without the illusion of unbridled imagination, but rather based on the solid foundation of understanding.

Consciousness is the key to prevention because it allows Human Beings to develop a coherent commitment to caution. Which is responsible for orchestrating both human actions and human consequences, or results. This leads them to even greater achievements. These achievements are due to caution, anticipation, and prevention, which makes it difficult for Human Beings to be caught by surprise.

Still, with Consciousness, there may be moments when new challenges may take place. In these moments, the Human Being can even, in order not to get frustrated, declare to themselves or others something such as “If it’s God’s desire, may it be”. However, everything that can be controlled, better known, or even understood, must be. Being ready for this is also a matter of caution, anticipation, prevention, prudence, that is, Consciousness.

From the moment Human Being understands Consciousness as a condition sine qua non-making prevention, not an illusion, they start not only to value their experiences but also to pay more and more attention to their daily lives. This way, learning improves more and more from everything that surrounds them. This is the construction of a repertoire essential to their voluntary and conscious evolution.

What if along the way this Human Being sporadically finds oneself inattentive, insecure, lost in their imagination or so? Once you have made use of Consciousness, It is always there, available for you to use it!

Although Consciousness is fundamental as well as indispensable to the Human Being, it is not held responsible for the choices they make throughout their lives. It functions as a friend, advisor, guide, and cartographer of life, whose function does not cease, even if the Human Being tries to ignore it, forget it and/or not observe it.

Once Human Consciousness is awakened, built, and developed, there will always be the possibility of resorting to this Consciousness infinitely. Because once we open the room to Consciousness, it naturally guides us. 

Therefore, it is up to the Human Being to strive for the development of their Consciousness now and forever. Thus, no need to suffer in anticipation, or better yet, due to imagination, but rather solve it all by the practice of caution and prudence and, consequently, prevention.

Not that this is the function of Consciousness. Far from it. The function of Consciousness is comprehending. Prevention is a gift provided by Consciousness.

Conscientiologist, Educator with experience at all levels of Basic Education in Brazil, and Specialist in Teaching and Self-knowledge, Consciousness and Education, Neuropsychology, and Psychopedagogy. Master’s student in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a focus on Job Satisfaction, Decent Work, Big Five Personality Factors (Big Five), and Mental Health. Teacher of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in face-to-face and distance learning modes. Coordinator of the Support, Accessibility, and Inclusion Center at a Brazilian College. Speaker with international experience in Denmark, Australia, the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and Brazil. Writer of several articles and book chapters, as well as the series “Approaches to Consciousness in its Pragmatism”. Consultant in Education Sciences in several public and private companies.

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The term “occupation” refers to meaningful engagement in activities that bring satisfaction and purpose to life. Finding an occupation that resonates with our interests, talents, and values can bring a deep sense of accomplishment and contentment. Whether in work, the arts, volunteering, or personal hobbies, dedicating ourselves to something we love and that positively challenges us can be a powerful source of happiness and meaning.

A profession or job can be essential for personal satisfaction and to fill the void many people feel. However, it’s important to note that this fulfillment doesn’t always come solely from paid work. Often, it can be found in parenthood, household chores, caring for others, volunteer work, and many other activities that are important to society but are not yet valued as they should be. Certainly, most of us need to work to pay bills and meet other needs such as recreation, education, and self-care.

A career can be enriching, providing personal fulfillment and helping to achieve other life goals. We know that not everyone is satisfied with their current jobs, but it’s never too late to change or start anew. There is no age limit, despite ageism being a reality. For those who pursue with determination, nothing is impossible. While the long-awaited moment of total professional fulfillment may not arrive, it’s important to enjoy the journey. In everything we do, there are moments of satisfaction and learning, and even upon reaching the desired ideal, there will be inherent challenges in the new career.

Beyond career or profession, occupation can occur through activities or hobbies such as sports, reading, or any other activity that identifies with us.

Thais Conte is a Brazilian who has lived in five countries and ten cities and had to learn at a very young age the meaning of the word resilience. Recently, she was one of the idealizers of the Women Talk Network event and one of the creators of the Brazilian Expo in Atlanta. Thais is a mom, an author, a proud Rotarian, and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

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The other day I heard from a mental health professional that we shouldn’t encourage our children and students by congratulating them on their intelligence. That made me confused. How can we not encourage a person to increasingly develop their intelligence, especially in a moment when they are at their greatest productivity? 

When reflecting upon this, I found myself faced with another great question: is it possible that when mentioning intelligence the professional meant to refer to intellect? I think in this case his statement would make much more sense.

This would not be the first time that intelligence has been confused with intellect. This still occurs very frequently, as in the case of the IQ Test, whose acronym refers to the “Intelligence Quotient”, when in fact its purpose is to measure intellect.

It is not that intelligence and intellect are not related. Both are essential for human development and in a certain way we can even consider them interdependent, but one thing is one thing and another thing is another thing. 

Intellect is raw, it refers to the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, and look at each part of the whole. It reaches the tangible, the known, therefore, it imitates, copies, and interprets, but that’s it. The more intellect the Human Being has, the more full of knowledge, information, and, often, ego they are. After all, there is a tendency for the intellectual to believe in the illusion that there is only the tangible, and nothing else, even if they technically believe in science. Thus ignoring the fact that science is not and should not be taken as conclusive, definitive, or even demonstrative, as it is always subject to discoveries. It is interesting to point out that these discoveries might not even ever be reached. 

Intelligence, on the other hand, is creative, used to solve problems, understands what is intangible, and reaches the truth. It is intelligence, for example, that tends towards infinity, because, when making use of it, the Human Being is in direct contact with the unknown, through a source that never ends. It is, even in its smallest particle, a source of wisdom, of novelty, it is a path for the Human Being to encounter himself. For this reason, too, the vision of the whole, beyond the vision of the parts, is part of intelligence.

Intelligence is very much related to the possibilities of learning, that is, of acquiring intellect. According to Howard Gardner, for example, American psychologist and educator, creator of the “Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, the Human Being, regardless of age, can learn certain knowledge in nine different ways, namely logical-mathematical, linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, bodily, spatial, musical, naturalistic and existential. This theory argues that, in the formal education process, emphasis is placed on presenting knowledge to students in each of these ways, thus making teaching as democratic as learning.

Do you see in this the relationship between intellect and intelligence? They are like different sides of the same coin, so, just as it makes no sense to feed the intellect without knowing how to make good use of it, as a result of the development of intelligence, there is no point in trying to develop intelligence without having the repertoire to do so – things of the intellect.

And where does Consciousness fit into this story? Well, neither one thing nor another, and both at the same time.

The relationship between intellect and Consciousness is the result of the possibility of developing reason, which, despite being opposed to Consciousness, allows those who use it to walk increasingly straighter.

Intelligence, on the other hand, relates to Consciousness through its link with Truth. After all, it is up to intelligence to seek and find the truth as it is, without reservations, and it is up to Consciousness to practice it.

In this context, the more reason one has, as a result of intellect, and the better perception of truth one develops, as a result of intelligence, the greater the capacity of the Human Being to awaken, develop, and build their Consciousness.

Knowing all this, I go back to our first question: should we not praise our children and students for their intelligence?

Conscientiologist, Educator with experience at all levels of Basic Education in Brazil, and Specialist in Teaching and Self-knowledge, Consciousness and Education, Neuropsychology, and Psychopedagogy. Master’s student in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a focus on Job Satisfaction, Decent Work, Big Five Personality Factors (Big Five), and Mental Health. Teacher of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in face-to-face and distance learning modes. Coordinator of the Support, Accessibility, and Inclusion Center at a Brazilian College. Speaker with international experience in Denmark, Australia, the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and Brazil. Writer of several articles and book chapters, as well as the series “Approaches to Consciousness in its Pragmatism”. Consultant in Education Sciences in several public and private companies.

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Lightness is an essential dimension of happiness, characterized by fluidity, freedom, and ease. Cultivating lightness means letting go of the weight of worries and finding joy in the simple moments of life. It involves learning to appreciate the beauty around us, laughing easily, and embracing inner serenity. In pursuing happiness, discovering this lightness can be just as important as achieving tangible goals.

Fight for your rights and ideals, and never stop dreaming, but don’t take everything too seriously because not everything is personal. Sometimes, it’s more about circumstances or the other person than you. Learn to laugh at yourself, and at situations, and take life more lightly.

Remember that taking care of yourself, or self-care, is directly linked to your self-esteem. Good self-esteem means more self-confidence and less self-criticism because our greatest ‘enemies’ are ourselves. When discussing self-care, I refer to caring for the body, soul, and spirit. A person who takes care of themselves and has values understands what truly matters in life. They take time to breathe, contemplate nature, and naturally develop more empathy for others and themselves.

A light-hearted person is happier for several reasons:

1. Less Stressed: When we adopt a lighter attitude, we stop worrying excessively about problems and challenges. This reduces stress and anxiety, allowing us to live more calmly and balanced.
2. Appreciation of the Present: Lightness teaches us to value the small moments and the beauty around us. By focusing on the present, we experience greater satisfaction and gratitude for life.
3. Emotional Resilience: A light approach helps us face adversity more resiliently. By not taking everything too seriously, we can overcome obstacles with less emotional suffering and more creativity.
4. Better Relationships: When we are light-hearted, we become more pleasant and approachable to others. This improves our interactions and interpersonal relationships, contributing to a stronger and more harmonious support network.
5. Greater Joy and Humor: Laughing at ourselves and difficult situations creates a sense of joy and well-being. Humor and fun are essential components of a happy and fulfilled life.
6. Better Self-Knowledge: Lightness allows us to see things more clearly and with perspective. This fosters self-knowledge and understanding of our true desires and needs, aligning our actions with our deepest values.
7. Better Mental and Physical Health: Reducing stress and promoting a positive mindset benefit mental and physical health. People who cultivate lightness tend to have fewer health problems related to stress and anxiety.

In summary, lightness contributes to a more balanced, joyful, and meaningful life, helping us to face challenges with a more optimistic and resilient spirit.

And you, have you stopped to think about how you are living your life?

Thais Conte is a Brazilian who has lived in five countries and ten cities and had to learn at a very young age the meaning of the word resilience. Recently, she was one of the idealizers of the Women Talk Network event and one of the creators of the Brazilian Expo in Atlanta. Thais is a mom, an author, a proud Rotarian, and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

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What exactly is responsibility? What will the relationship between this and Consciousness be? Does Consciousness produce responsibility or does responsibility produce Consciousness?

It doesn’t seem very difficult. After a long reflection upon the subject, to understand that there is a Human being’s responsibility towards everything they are directly related to even before they are aware of it. After all, their actions tend to generate commitments that, in turn, generate their responsibilities.

The question that arises from this is: what to do from here?

Once again I find myself in the famous and ever-present answer to the broad and varied list of questions linked to everything in Life: Consciousness!

This is because, when Human Beings awaken their Consciousness, it seems that a new world appears, full of new possibilities, notions, and more reflections. It turns out that the world as it is now is not new nor did it emerge since when consciousness awakens. However, the new possibility of recognizing it as it is may cause that impression.

Among these new notions that become accessible when Human Beings awaken their Consciousness, is the notion of responsibility. This, like the notions of commitment, reality, and freedom, needs to be constructed and developed for its own and proper purposes.

This notion concerning responsibility, when well developed, makes it possible for Human Beings to respond to their commitments. These commitments that arise from their relationships with everything that surrounds them, can be configured as great and good opportunities for even greater achievements.

But what happens when Human Beings have no sense of responsibility?

When Human Beings have not yet developed the notion of responsibility, it is soon noticed, as they tend to act in an omissive, lazy, and irresponsible way.

This happens because a weakened or extinguished sense of responsibility does not weaken or extinguish the fact of responsibility and its importance. Importance, not burden, because responsibility is, for Human Beings, like a springboard, which can be used to help them achieve everything that may seem distant.

As Human Beings, we must always do the best we can. This is our sacred responsibility, as is presented in a sentence attributed to Albert Einstein. But it isn’t possible to do the best without having the notion that the best exists and only depends on ourselves, although it will only be available when our Consciousness awakens.

Without Consciousness, it isn’t possible to have a notion of responsibility, which means that Human Being continues to tend to live always justifying everything inaccurate that occurs in their life and pointing out others as guilty of their failures. Without Consciousness Human Beings stay revolted by everything and everyone around them, waiting for a miracle or something else to achieve the resolution of all their problems.

Is it good for any Human Being to continue living like this? Maybe not.

Especially because, even when Consciousness is not awakened, built, and developed to its maximum power, it exists and is always available to Human Beings, requiring them always to do their best, and costing a lot for any inconsequential action that they can still practice.

After all, Consciousness exists and deserves to be, by Human Beings, used as it should, not by privilege, but by innate condition. Because Human Beings can and must bear the responsibility equivalent to the capacity that they have to develop Consciousness, in much greater proportions than any other animal, for example.

From this perspective, if a butterfly can be responsible for causing a typhoon in some distant place due to the flapping of its wings, Human Beings can be responsible for causing damage of even greater proportions through their inconsequential actions.

On the other hand, with awakened Consciousness Human Beings will tend to have the notion of responsibility; this way, they will have the possibility of living and doing even more and better than today; and thus, they will have even more chances to think and act in a good way and be responsible for even greater resolutions and achievements, which can even benefit all of humanity.

All of this is a matter of responsibility.

Mini-Biography Juliana Costa

Conscientiologist, Educator with experience at all levels of Basic Education in Brazil, and Specialist in Teaching and Self-knowledge, Consciousness and Education, Neuropsychology, and Psychopedagogy. Master’s student in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a focus on Job Satisfaction, Decent Work, Big Five Personality Factors (Big Five), and Mental Health. Teacher of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in face-to-face and distance learning modes. Coordinator of the Support, Accessibility, and Inclusion Center at a Brazilian College. Speaker with international experience in Denmark, Australia, the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and Brazil. Writer of several articles and book chapters, as well as the series “Approaches to Consciousness in its Pragmatism”. Consultant in Education Sciences in several public and private companies.

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Life often throws us unexpected challenges and hurdles, testing our determination and pushing us beyond our comfort zones. In the face of adversity, resilience emerges as a beacon of hope, guiding us through the darkest of times and empowering us to emerge stronger on the other side. When we step out of our comfort zone, we evolve as individuals, and we develop skills that were previously unknown to us. Who would have thought that I, a shy girl who was terrified of public speaking, would no longer hold back even in front of the great ones, for they are no longer great to her, as she knows her worth and faces them as equals?

Resilience is more than simply overcoming setbacks; it’s about harnessing inner strength and adaptability to thrive in the face of adversity. It’s the ability to bend without breaking, to weather life’s storms with grace and courage. Ah, courage! Courage is not the absence of fear but facing those fears head-on. We don’t conquer our fears overnight; it takes time, training, and the will to overcome them.

At its core, resilience is rooted in mindset – the belief that challenges are not insurmountable obstacles but opportunities for growth and transformation. It’s about cultivating a resilient mindset that sees setbacks as temporary hurdles rather than permanent defeats, and failure as a stepping stone to success. If we knew the power our minds have over us and how to work on it from a young age, many obstacles would be overcome sooner and with less suffering than they usually entail.

Resilient individuals possess a set of key characteristics that enable them to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. They exhibit unwavering determination, refusing to be defeated by setbacks or obstacles. They are adaptable and able to adjust their approach in response to changing circumstances. They possess a sense of optimism, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers. And, perhaps most importantly, they have a strong support network – friends, family, and community – that provides encouragement and guidance during difficult times, but we don’t always have the luxury of having this support network, depending on ourselves, on a higher power that I call faith. When I think of optimism, I don’t see myself as a Pollyanna, but rather as a person who has the choice to surrender to what makes me sad or fight to change my perception of what it taught me and how I am better and happier today, and that what happened was just part of my learning process. I learned to be grateful even for that, because the person I am today is the sum of all the things I have experienced, and many of them were not so good.

But resilience is not just an individual characteristic; it is also a collective strength that binds communities together in times of crisis. Faced with adversity, communities come together to support each other, sharing resources and knowledge to overcome common challenges. It is this collective resilience that allows communities not only to survive but to thrive in the face of adversity.

In the end, resilience is a skill that can be cultivated and developed over time. By embracing life’s challenges with courage and perseverance, by reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth, and by building a strong support network, we can cultivate resilience and emerge from life’s challenges stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever.

And I leave you with the “grace” of how to deal with life’s challenges, a word that evokes the light and seemingly simple way of movement of the ballerinas, remembering that we will leave the aspect of lightness for our next article.

Thais Conte is a Brazilian who has lived in five countries and ten cities and had to learn at a very young age the meaning of the word resilience. Recently, she was one of the idealizers of the Women Talk Network event and one of the creators of the Brazilian Expo in Atlanta. Thais is a mom, an author, a proud Rotarian, and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Get to know more about Thais Conte.