JuntosxlaTierra | Roberto Manrique | TEDxUEES

A Journey Without Money: Planting Seeds of Change

• On November 7, 2019, at 3 pm, a life-changing journey of 7968 km across Ecuador, Peru, and Chile began, lasting 28 days, completely alone and without money, exchanging accommodations, food, and transportation for the promise of planting trees (26s).
• The decision to embark on this journey was made after realizing that not enough was being done for the planet, and it was necessary to pause an acting career to spread a message of transformation and environmental awareness to as many people as possible (1m8s).
• A phrase from a friend, "If the challenge doesn't make your legs tremble, it's not big enough for you," became a mantra that helped overcome fear and doubts about the journey (1m35s).
• On the third day of the journey, a visit to the Cañaris indigenous community in southern Ecuador led to meeting a leader named Mariana, who showed a community water management project and welcomed the traveler with warmth (2m9s).
• The community gave the traveler the nickname "Inti," which means "sun" in the Quichua language, and it was accepted with gratitude (2m30s).
• A conversation with the community about the Spanish conquest and its impact led to a revelation about resilience and the importance of accepting the past and who we are (2m58s).
• A visit to a nearby waterfall became a symbolic baptism, where the old self was left behind, and a new self, represented by the nickname "Inti," was born, embracing unity, acceptance, and gratitude (3m10s).
• The experience at the waterfall was a transformative moment, marking a change in perspective and the beginning of a new journey of self-discovery and growth (3m29s).

Lost in the Páramo: A Lesson in Unity and Resilience

• A journey began with a return from a páramo, where the rain wouldn't stop, and the cold was setting in, making it difficult to feel the body, and the group realized they were lost with only one flashlight and no cell phone signal (3m45s).
• The group had to resort to a perilous strategy of walking along the edge of the mountain, 20 meters above a frozen and dark lake, where the chances of survival in case of a fall were minimal (4m15s).
• During this challenging journey, the hand of Mariana was entwined with the narrator's, symbolizing that he was not alone, and together they managed to cross the mountain (4m37s).
• Upon arrival, a group of families was waiting to take photos and give a gift, but the narrator was exhausted, cold, and emotionally affected by the experience (5m7s).
• The gift received was a hat and gloves, exactly what was needed to stay warm, and this act made the narrator realize that the solution to his needs was always available, but he had to be open to receiving it (5m43s).
• This experience taught the importance of uniting forces to work towards change, especially in the face of the climate crisis, and that individual efforts can have a real impact when done in community (6m30s).
• The idea of unity is not just a romantic notion, but the only way to give humanity a chance, and it's essential to work together to find solutions to the climate crisis (6m33s).
• A quote from Martin Luther King Junior emphasizes the importance of unity, stating that although people may come from different backgrounds, they are all in the same boat now, and it's time to unite efforts (6m45s).
• The experience also highlighted the importance of seeing humanity as a global family and working together towards a common goal (7m0s).

The Gift of Need: Embracing Vulnerability and Growth

• A chance encounter with two Venezuelan travelers, Eduardo and John, who had been traveling for two months, crossing Colombia and Ecuador, and leaving everything behind, including their children, in hopes of earning money for a better life, revealed a shared experience of traveling without money and relying on others for subsistence, despite vastly different circumstances (7m22s).
• Eduardo and John shared their struggles with being judged and mistreated due to the prejudice that Venezuelan travelers are criminals, and the pain and injustice this caused them (8m1s).
• Eduardo expressed that they had lost their shame and learned to ask for help, a lesson that was also applied to the narrator's life, who realized that their new reality required developing the capacity to ask for help without shame (8m16s).
• This experience led to a significant change in the narrator's life, requiring them to confront their own judgments, limitations, and fears, and to develop a new mindset (8m49s).
• The narrator emphasizes that this change is not easy, but it is necessary for achieving ambitious goals, whether it's changing habits for a more sustainable life, leading teams, or pursuing ambitious projects (9m1s).
• The path to change involves radical self-observation, honesty, and a humble attitude towards growth and change (9m16s).
• According to a study by Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University, there are two types of people: those with a growth mindset, who believe their characteristics can be transformed through new experiences, and those with a fixed mindset, who believe their characteristics are permanent and unchangeable (9m33s).
• People with a growth mindset believe that achievements come from effort, not just inherent talent, and are open to criticism, learning, and correcting their behavior (10m11s).
• The good news is that a growth mindset can be developed through new experiences, attitudes, questions, and strategies, thanks to the brain's plasticity (10m30s).
• The narrator expresses gratitude to Eduardo and John for teaching them that need can also be a catalyst for change (11m0s).

From Fixed to Growth: The Power of Mindset

• A mindset shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset occurred when arriving at a new destination in search of food, shelter, and transportation, allowing for a more confident approach to asking for help from strangers (11m4s).
• This newfound confidence led to entering restaurants and asking for food, with a calm, secure, and grateful demeanor, even when faced with rejection or indifference (11m17s).
• The importance of giving one's best effort for the planet is emphasized, and those who are unsure of their path are encouraged to focus on the urgent need for change and find their way (11m47s).

Milagros: A Story of Resilience and Determination

• On the 15th day of the journey, a visit to a police station in Ancón, near Lima, resulted in an initial rejection, but a second officer, Santiago, offered help after hearing the story (12m12s).
• In the police station, a 15-year-old girl named Milagros was met, who had a remarkable story of resilience and determination, having escaped an abusive home and working to support herself while planning to become a lawyer (12m28s).
• Milagros' plan to achieve her goals involved first completing smaller objectives, such as working as a cashier to save money for law school, demonstrating the importance of breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks (13m3s).
• Despite facing challenges, including a denunciation from her mother that put her friends at risk, Milagros remained focused on her objectives and took action to defend them, including filing a counter-denunciation against her mother (13m42s).
• During an interrogation by a police officer, Milagros showed remarkable patience and composure, even when faced with judgmental and insensitive questioning (13m55s).
• The officer's suggestion that Milagros should go to a shelter for girls whose rights have been violated was met with her refusal, as she preferred to maintain her independence and autonomy (14m23s).
• An offer to plant 100 trees in Milagros' name and that of her friends was made, and her friends, who were waiting outside, encouraged her to accept the offer (15m7s).

The Power of Connection: Choosing Understanding Over Judgment

• A woman's selfless act during a complex situation taught the importance of prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain, and the value of connection and understanding between people (15m27s).
• Abraham Lincoln's quote, "I don't like that man, I must get to know him better," highlights the significance of seeking understanding and connection with others, even those who may seem radically different (15m48s).
• The woman's determination to prioritize the well-being of her friends, her focus on connection over personal gain, and her openness to change taught the importance of having a receptive attitude, even in unexpected situations (16m11s).
• Working in community is not just about working together as a team, but also about being able to unite forces with those who may be difficult to work with, for the greater good (17m1s).

Facing Pessimism: Giving 100% Even When It Seems Too Late

• A chance encounter with a Chilean man named Walter, who offered a ride, led to a conversation about the project, and Walter's pessimistic view that it may be too late for change due to economic and political interests (17m27s).
• This conversation had an impact, but also led to a realization that even if it may be too late, it's more reason to give 100% effort, so that future generations can be looked in the eye and told that everything possible was done (18m22s).
• The journey taught that the formula for working for the planet involves working in community, contributing one's best abilities, and being able to unite forces with others, even those who may be difficult to work with (18m48s).

The Importance of "Juntos": Reflections on Community and Collaboration

• A total of 4 trees were initially given to those who provided house, food, and transportation, and after 4 years, thanks to the effort of a large team and alliances with multiple people, 26,133 trees were planted (19m18s).
• The project made it clear that even when saying "Juntos por la tierra" (Together for the Earth), the "juntos" (together) part is even more important than "por la tierra" (for the Earth), because if people are not capable of being together on the Earth, they will not be able to do anything for it or even survive on it (19m44s).
• It is suggested that people look to their right and left to find what can help them identify and take action towards their 100% commitment to the Earth (20m13s).
• The project expresses gratitude to many people involved (20m27s).