The Freethinker 1-1-1: Who Are You When No One Needs You?

There is freedom hiding beneath obligation.

Happy New Year!!!! May 2026 be your very best year yet.

Special Announcement — Our January Reset Room is happening inside The Self-Hospitality Collective on Wednesday, January 7th. It’s called “Begin Anew: Welcome to the Year of Self-Hospitality” — RSVP inside our free community for hospitality leaders: theselfhospitalitycollective.com

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Take a deep breath.

Here is 1 creation, 1 quote, and 1 question to consider this week.

1 Creation From Me

“A Question From a 9-Year-Old That Stopped Time” - A short story

We were talking about where my mom should live.

“I like Long Island,” she said. “I have friends there. And the beaches are beautiful in the summer.”

“Yeah,” my niece Lucy said, “but the beaches are beautiful all year here, Grandma.”

Mom smiled. “And I’d be close to you in Florida.”

I asked, “But Mom—where do you want to live?”

“Wherever I can be close to family or friends,” she said without hesitation.

Then Lucy asked,
“Where would you live if you had no family or friends?”

Silence filled the room.

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1 Quote From Another

American mythologist, lecturer, and storyteller Joseph Campbell on authentic living:

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are — Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

Source: From The Power of Myth

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1 Question For You

It’s simple this week — or maybe not. As you begin the year anew, answer Lucy’s question:
“Where would you live if you had no family or friends?”

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If this resonated, pass it along to someone who might need it today. Let’s grow this circle!

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Until next time, freethinkers…stay present, be pleasant, and have an amazing day!

Mike Messeroff
Founder of The Carpe Diem Company + Personal Freedom Coach
Creator of Self-Hospitality
Author of Dogs Get It: Advice I learned from my best friend