Here is my entry for the #monomad contest by 
Anyone who follows my posts—and in particular, the ones I share in this community—has probably already noticed a tendency I have that I’d call almost innate: the search for lost gazes.
Interestingly, every day we cross paths with dozens, if not hundreds, of different people.
But do we see them as other people, just like us?
I know the question is quite provocative. And it’s meant to be. It was with this question that, one day a few months ago, I was confronted on a podcast I listen to regularly. At that very moment, I thought it was a completely inappropriate, out-of-place, provocative question… and, in every way, absolutely ridiculous.
But that internal thought or perception lasted only a few seconds…
I journeyed into the depths of my thoughts. I was confronted with this, and I didn’t simply try to ignore it and follow “the usual path”… Nothing like that.
The question troubled me, because I had just realized one of my worst traits as a human being: INDIFFERENCE and its origin.
By focusing on myself as a unique being, I viewed others merely as what I was not.
In other words, there were two realities: what I was—or to what extent I existed—and everything else.
It wasn’t that I thought I was more important than others, but since I was living within this “shell,” I granted only myself the power to observe and understand myself. Opening my mind to the possibility that others might also look into our inner selves led me to see others as unique beings.
As people with their own struggles, like me, with their own weaknesses or gifts, just like me, and with their own doubts and flaws… just like me. Kindness exists in all of us. Of course, there are those who deny it deep down inside and hide it under an impenetrable cloak, heavy with hatred, anger, and revenge.
Life is more than that. I’m certain of it. We’re here on this earth. We live side by side. We must make our coexistence a positive experience. We must ensure that at least something in this world is improved by our actions. Something we can do—no matter how insignificant it may seem to us—will make a difference.
It was with this idea in mind that, a few months ago, I began to notice the gestures, the glances, the way people walk or sit—even the way others express themselves. And photography—that permanent, unique record of light—has taken on greater and more relevant importance as I’ve matured as a man.
Photographed with Samsung A26 by 
Photographic edition with PhotoScape X
Original text in Portuguese written by
