profile

Hi! I'm a Bryan.

This blew my mind moving to Portugal

Published 5 months ago • 1 min read

Hi, my friend-

Eight months ago, Courtney and I moved to the city center of Lisbon, Portugal, a city rich in culture, food, and history. It's a very walkable, meandering city—small but expansive—and I have fallen in love with every inch of it. While I'll frequently return to the US, noticed one glaring thing...

Everyone I have met here stays above the line. Within one block from our flat is Pedro, our grocer; Jaoio, my barber; Maria, our banker; Tiago, who owns a tiny coffee shop; Ana, who presses and mends clothes; and Rui, our private Portuguese tutor.

Since arriving here, I have not encountered anyone living below the line. It's worth noting that Portugal, having celebrated its freedom from dictatorship just 50 years ago, remains a low economic country. Yet, despite these challenges, everyone I meet consistently rises above the line.

What do I mean by above the line?

Think of life as a road trip with your friends. Living above the line is like being the driver with a playlist and a sense of adventure.

When you live above the line, you’re the driver who plans the route, monitors the fuel gauge, and picks the best music. You’re proactive, making decisions that keep the trip exciting and fun. You’re the one who suggests detours to scenic spots and stops for ice cream, making the journey memorable.

Living below the line is different. It’s like sitting in the backseat, head down, missing the scenery because you’re not engaged. You’re not helping navigate, not suggesting stops, just letting things happen.

It’s a passive way to travel, and it feels less fulfilling. In short, you miss out.

Positive Ripple Effect:
Your behavior isn't just a personal choice; it's a powerful standard others will follow.

When people witness the tangible benefits of living above the line, they can't help but emulate these behaviors, sharing a wave of positivity and responsibility that can transform entire communities. So, ask yourself – what kind of ripple are you creating?

Oh, and if you made it this far (thank you) and are planning on visiting, Courtney did a really cool write-up on how to spend 4 days in Portugal. It has all our favorite common and not-so-common things to see, eat, and do.

Obrigado
Bryan

P.S. If you're interested in joining us on this journey of lessons and adventures in Europe, I'm sharing the highlights on Instagram. Dive in with us and see what life in Lisbon is all about. :-)

​

​

Bryan Kramer is the author of Human-to-Human and Shareology -> books​

If this was forwarded to you, subscribe here! 🎉

​

​

​

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Hi! I'm a Bryan.

Read more from Hi! I'm a Bryan.
A stack of rocks sitting on top of a beach

Hi friend Have you ever considered what would happen if you hit “pause” on everything—work, family, friends, your phone, even your voice? For 10 days, I did just that. I recently finished a Vipassana meditation course in Macedonia, a journey into silence and self-awareness, and what I experienced was nothing short of transformative. Don’t get me wrong—it was Mt. Everest-level hard to live like a monk for ten days. Before the retreat, my life was like a browser with too many tabs open—every...

1 day ago • 2 min read

Hi, my friend- If there’s one thing I’ve discovered while living in Europe, it’s that coffee is art and science. They take their coffee very seriously here in Portugal. Back in the States, I used to order my coffee tall, black, and with a splash of cream. Here in Europe, most people prefer a ‘café,’ a simple yet profound shot of espresso. I would gulp it down when I first arrived in Portugal, but now I savor every sip. Just a few doors down, I sat on one of the three stools at Tiago's café....

4 months ago • 1 min read

Hi, my friend- Last night, I hired someone to help me put a bed together that would have taken me hours but took him half the time. When I paid him, he left with a smile and a handshake. Two minutes later he showed back up and said I had overpaid him, handed me back the extra money and smiled saying it was too much. What a wonderful human moment on so many levels. As a fellow human, I'm always looking for ways to be more efficient, productive, and successful. AI might be the answer. However,...

9 months ago • 2 min read