This past weekend, I made a new local friend.

We met at the gym and the very next day, we saw each other on the jetbridge of a flight heading to Westchester, NY. It felt like kismet.

For weeks, I checked in on him. I invited him to different events or to hang out, but things just didn’t line up.

Finally, about two weeks ago, I got an invitation to a farm-to-table dinner at a favorite local spot. I sent him the invite—and he said yes.

The day-of, though, he almost canceled. He was nervous. Didn’t know what to wear. Didn’t know anyone who would be there other than me and Dan.

I chatted him down, though, and he agreed to let us pick him up.

When he got in the car, the conversation instantly became fluid. We were each other's “type of people,” and I thought that he would fit right in with our friends.

And he did!

The next day, though, he came to our home to spend the day with other friends.
It came to light that he’d been alone in town taking care of his parents for the last five years.

Five. Years.

He knew no one else in our little town.
And until my message to him, he was on his own.

No matter how many times he said he wasn’t available, I was persistent. ​
No matter how many times he had something going on, I still kept asking.

It wasn’t until we heard his life story, the horrific experiences he’d survived, and the resilience he had built completely on his own that we knew he had shown up in our lives for a reason.

He was willing to open up to strangers in order to let himself be a part of something he had been missing for years.

This was my reminder of why “not now” is not a no. ​
This was my reminder of why my persistence is so important.

THIS is why we need Community.
This is how we find our Soul Family.
​Because none of us should do this life alone.

I’m going to be persistent with you, too.

​The Brilliant Rebellion is here for you. And all of our Rebels are magic-makers building a better world through their work, their connections, and their gifts. If you are looking for Community (yes, with a capital C), it’s right here for you. (You can even try it for a month and see if it’s for you!)

NEXT CALL: Our next Soul Mixer is on Monday, February 10 at 12noon ET / 9am PT – and we’re bringing Tracey Ivanyshyn & her project, Tell Love Stories, so you can share your own story of love. Whether it’s a story about your parents, your children, your friends, your life, or your lover, as Tracey says, every story is a love story.

UPCOMING EVENT: We’re also hosting an in-person event to get this Community together outside of Austin at a glamping resort April 27-30. We’ll explore the idea of LIMITLESS WONDER in work and life together. Because most of us are spending WAY too much time adulting. Check it out​

None of us should do this life alone.
None of us need to do this life alone.

Wanna do it together? Reply & let's see if we're a fit for where you wanna be, who you wanna be, and where you wanna go

Walking alongside you, picking up soul friends for all of us,

xoxo
Melanie