Pasilda

[DISCLAIMER]

The above photo was taken during one of my last trips to Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. After having been assigned to the Marine Security Guard (MSG) detachment (det) in Rio for 13 months (1999-2000), I was transferred to the MSG det in Lima, Peru (2000-2001).

While on leave from Lima, I went to Rio for a final opportunity to enjoy the Cidade Maravilhosa (marvelous city; Rio). When looking at the above photo, I’m reminded of an electronic dance music (EDM) track I recently heard when listening to the DJ set of Shadu.

That song was “Ethnica (Pasilda)” by Nico de Andrea and Vanetty, which is a remix to British EDM group Afro Medusa’s 1999 popular track “Pasilda” that was released during the time I was in Rio. Describing the meaning of this track, one source states:

The song ‘Pasilda’ by Afro Medusa conveys a message of hope and positivity, symbolized by the sun’s warmth and the idea of flying with love. The lyrics depict a carefree spirit that finds joy in simple pleasures like dancing and the wind, emphasizing the idea that brighter days will come.

When reading that description, I think of a valid criticism I once received in regard to my blog. When offering psychoeducational lessons on my approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I often discuss the neutral and negative elements of life.

However, I don’t make a habit of addressing positivity. For instance, as it relates to what the aforementioned source states “Pasilda” represents (i.e., “emphasizing the idea that brighter days will come”), I expressed in a blogpost entitled All Right:

When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) I remain hesitant to tell clients everything will be all right. While reassurance may help someone feel better, I’m not convinced it contributes to a person getting better.

Nonetheless, I’m aware of the widely accepted practice of prophetic guarantees geared towards improving other people’s moods. Even if I think, “Well, how do you know everything will be all right?” others simply accept the encouragement.

Given this outlook, based on my values, I understand how one may conclude that content within my blog will largely relate to unpleasant matters – because it mostly does! Therefore, I offer the current post as a relatively rare occasion during which I’ll address positivity.

Some of my most cherished memories stem from my time in Rio. Hearing “Pasilda” reminds me of those times, as does the photo for this post. When looking at the picture, I invite you to consider that not everything in life is terrible, horrible, or awful.

Although many elements of existence are unpleasant, not everything is. Personally, most reminders of my experience in Rio – minus matters associated with some MSG det Rio members – counterbalance the neutral and negative aspects of life.

Even if brighter days never again come, I had some amazing moments in the Cidade Maravilhosa. For that, I remain grateful. How about you? About what are you grateful?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters. 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Armada Music TV. (2024, February 12). Afro Medusa - Pasilda (classic music video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/0SeVZycyd2g?si=DduBrGtA_C4zRzIK

Hollings, D. (2024, July 21). A spring of hope. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-spring-of-hope

Hollings, D. (2022, December 15). All right. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/all-right

Hollings, D. (2024, August 7). Awfulizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/awfulizing

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, April 5). For what it’s worth, I’m grateful. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/for-what-it-s-worth-im-grateful

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2024, November 18). Is it infatuation or love? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/is-it-infatuation-or-love

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2025, March 2). Power of positive thinking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/power-of-positive-thinking

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, January 15). Satisfaction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/satisfaction

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2024, November 24). Values. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/values

Hollings, D. (2025, April 12). What’s the big idea? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/what-s-the-big-idea

Musixmatch. (n.d.). Pasilda. Retrieved from https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Afro-Medusa/Pasilda/translation/english

Nico de Andrea. (2024, July 18). Ethnica (Pasilda) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/XH5rPdWHDak?si=khTOUrwRP2gluyGW

Shadu. (2024, August 19). Shadu - The flow vol. 05 / 4k afro house DJ mix [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/pudCt9QLlPk?si=aUPiqNhJFFhuL3Fu

Spotify. (n.d.). Nico de Andrea. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/artist/3h1aCZ3gZ4zIWxnsxcBrPD

Spotify. (n.d.). Shadu. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/artist/6H8SLujG7SG0QxrMoi9V7C

Spotify. (n.d.). Vanetty. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nXSvgTKd12l7zQrjCqhf4

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Afro Medusa. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_Medusa

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copacabana,_Rio_de_Janeiro