The One Thing That Actually Works

A weekend reflection on fulfillment and meaningful life

Just pause and imagine: with all the books, podcasts, trainings, workshops, and retreats over so many years... the world should be absolutely filled with rich and happy people.

I’d love to tell you I’ve discovered the formula that produces money, wealth, safety, happiness, and fulfillment. But I’d be lying.

I do have something to tell you that is true.

The promises we see everywhere, the opportunities that seem within reach, our own hopes about what’s possible, become the obstacles that derail our efforts. They keep us searching for the next system, the next breakthrough.

What I can honestly say works - and costs nothing - is participating in authentic communities. But our belief in competition, scarcity, and our rush to solve the challenges of everyday life doesn’t let us see that the company of like-minded people is what we’re actually searching for. We would rather make more effort now, make money, ensure safety, and then think about belonging and soft skills.

Everything outside is screaming at us: fighting, pushing for power, getting what the others have, imposing our beliefs, doesn’t work.

We can easily see it, money is great makeup, it helps people hide the sadness and loneliness, it makes us look safe and privileged. We all want that feeling, but what we really want is to be able to smile freely, enjoy the presence of our loved ones spontaneously, and be accepted and heard. And all that is what happens when we participate in communities.

Building a community is not that difficult; we are all familiar with that. It is like planning a dinner with friends, or going with a friend or colleague for a coffee, and having no agenda. It is about finding what we care about and getting together to work on that.

We all can do it, but we think that doing it will decrease our chances of keeping our jobs, making money, and becoming better than the others, so we can finally get recognition and validation.

Love,

Jose