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adopted country, American flag, Brazil, Brazilian flag, country of birth, dual citizenship, love, patriotism, US, World Cup
“It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love, it matters only that you love”― John Lennon
This is what everyone sees as they enter my office:
My beautiful Brazilian flag! I put it up during the World Cup in June and never took it down. I think I will just leave it there until the next World Cup in 2018.
This morning, for some reason, a thought came to mind: What does that flag really mean? It means I love my birth country and I am proud to be a Brazilian – that simple!
But what about the very country I am in right now? What about the good old USA?
Having my Brazilian flag in a way makes me feel close to my Brazilian roots, but in no way means that I love the US any less.
I happen to love both countries equally and would hate if I had to choose one. It would be like asking a mother which one of her children she wants to keep. I could never choose. Thanks heaven I don’t have to.
I am blessed to be a citizen of two countries. For now I choose to live in the US – a country that welcomed me with open arms and has given me opportunities I would never have in Brazil. I don’t feel I am half Brazilian half American, I feel I am full Brazilian and full American!
It doesn’t seem right to be displaying only the Brazilian flag. I think it is sending the wrong message (no one here in my office has ever said anything about my keeping the flag up, so this unfairness is all in my mind and heart). Right at this moment I am online shopping for an American flag. I will be hanging it up there with my Brazilian one. It think it will be perfect!
I see many issues with both countries. There is a lot that needs changing here and there. But I see both of my countries like the people that I love: I don’t always condone their actions and I don’t look only to their flaws. I choose to love and be grateful for all the beauty and goodness in them. No matter what, I will continue to do my best to improve my surroundings in whenever country I happen to be in.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Blessed with a Star on the Forehead 
It’s one of the more beautiful flags of any nation. If I were you, I’d continue to display your Brazilian flag proudly!
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Thank you so much! I happen to agree! 🙂
I will continue to display it and once the American one arrives they will both be proudly displayed. Have a blessed week! 🙂
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Wonderful thoughts! I think this is what every American hopes each immigrant will feel when they are here. We all come from immigrants – mine were Irish, Polish, and French many generations ago, and I hope they felt like this!
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Hi Noelle
Thank you so much! Have a blessed week! 🙂
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Good thinking, having both up!
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Hi Ute
Thank you! Blessings! 🙂
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Love it! there is a Brazilian Association who had a gathering today down the street from me today…hahaa.. everyday I walk by it, I shall think of you as they have their website and flag clearly displayed in their home window on our major street! 😀
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How interesting! I hope they are well behaved and not causing trouble – we Brazilians can be loud and boisterous! lol
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Sensitive, proud article. Keep both flags waving! During the Cup, I always root for the Brazilian team. A friend gave me the Brazilian team shirt, and I wear it during the games. This year, a Brazilian friend watched one of the games with me. Brazil lost, unfortunately, but I learned a lot about soccer from her comments. My daughter visited Brazil a few years ago and fell in love with the country. You have a wonderful heritage, and now you can claim another land as well.
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Thank you! I love when people like my country! I also like to give my friends the Brazilian jersey.
I feel blessed for being able to be a part of two amazing countries!
Many blessings! 🙂
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