"The oldest continuously operating club in the world south of the Tropic of Cancer"
Volunteers, you are all invited to help prepare for and serve the children of the Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico in our 37th annual Thanksgiving Day Lunch. We will serve over 300 children from all over Puerto Rico. Even if you can’t stay, pass by and observe firsthand what a joyous event this it. Takes place this Wednesday November 27th between 9am and 1pm, at the La Concha Resort in Condado.
On a November 19, afternoon, Sylvia Fernández Colorado, known to many as Dr. Soul, stood before the Condado Rotary Club, poised to deliver a message that many might consider refreshingly simple, yet deeply profound. “What joyful thing did you do for yourself today?” she asked the room of accomplished individuals, many of whom had spent decades in their professional careers, yet found themselves momentarily stumped by the question.
One by one, Dr. Soul listened intently as the answers varied. Some people shared stories of small acts of self-care, like savoring a cup of coffee or taking a walk. Others admitted with a touch of vulnerability that they struggled to prioritize joy amidst the demands of their busy lives. For many, it was a stark reminder that despite all their achievements, they hadn’t made time for themselves to simply *be* happy.For Sylvia, this wasn’t just a conversation—it was her life's mission. Though she holds two doctoral degrees in clinical and organizational psychology, she doesn't like to call what she does "work." For Dr. Soul, what she does is play—a joyful pursuit of helping others find happiness, meaning, and fulfillment.
Sylvia’s journey to this point wasn’t linear. After years of practicing as a clinical psychologist and later as an organizational psychologist, she transitioned into life and business coaching, where her unique approach quickly gained a following. Her clients often remark that Sylvia has an uncanny ability to inspire them to lead more joyful, purposeful lives. It’s a skill that doesn’t come from textbooks, but from her own unwavering belief that happiness is not a destination—it’s a practice.
“I learned a lot from my mother,” Sylvia says, a smile tugging at her lips as she reflects on the woman who helped shape her. Isabel Colorado, her mother, was a force of nature in her own right. As a secretary to a cardiologist, Isabel played an instrumental role in healing hearts, not just through medicine, but through compassion and understanding. Sylvia’s mother, who was seated in the audience, is a living testament to the impact of living life with kindness and joy, no matter the circumstances.
Now, Sylvia is ready to extend her influence even further, as she plans to join the Rotary Club, an organization that shares her commitment to service and improving the community. Yet, even as she embarks on this new chapter, her central message remains unchanged: happiness is an art, and we must all find ways to practice it every day.
To Sylvia, this isn’t a corny message; it’s a revolutionary one. In a world that often equates success with material achievement, Dr. Soul encourages those around her to redefine what it means to live a rich life—not by what we accomplish, but by the joy we choose to cultivate. And perhaps that’s the secret: when we prioritize happiness, everything else has a way of falling into place.
As she wrapped up her talk, Sylvia smiled and asked once more, “What joyful thing did you do for yourself today?” It was a question that lingered, a reminder to us all that happiness is not just an aspiration—it’s a choice, one we can make every day.
Jorge
Photos & Videos by: FR José M. (Pepito) Rivero PDG
Please share some Pictures and Videos from "COMPARTE TU COMPRA" & 37th Thanksgiving Lunch for the Boys and Girls…
Please click the LINKS to see the Photo's & Video's
Photos "Comparte Tu Compra"- photoalbums/comparte-tu-compra-2024
Photos 37th Thanksgiving Lunch for the Boys and Girls… -11-27-2024 - photoalbums/37th-thanksgiving-lunch-for-the-boys-and-girls…-11-27-2024 Photos
VIDEOS 37th Thanksgiving Lunch for the Boys and Girls… - stories/videos-of-thanksging-lunch-del-club-de-san-juan-with-the-boy’s-girl’s-club-11-27-2024
Photos By: FR Robert Bolt & PDG Juanita Valentin Morris
Tentative Schedule for SJ Rotary Service-Related Projects 2024-25 (JRG Draft 7-4-24) Coordinated by Felix Rivera, Head of Service Committee
July-August: Organize and promote a student writing/video contest related to the Proyecto Rotary PRoPaz theme, in coordination with the District. Prizes to be awarded on February 23, 2025, with Sal Nolfo in charge.
September 21 (Saturday): Observe UN International Peace Day by dressing in white and reflecting at noon on our role in reducing violence in Puerto Rico, as part of Proyecto Rotario PRoPaz.
November 23 (Saturday): Collaborate with the Santurce Club for the 'Comparte tu Compra' event at SuperMax Condado.
November 28 (Thursday): Host a Thanksgiving dinner for the Boys and Girls Club.
February 22-28: Welcome senior and junior Interact Club members with supervisors from Keene, NH for community volunteer work.
February 23 (Sunday): Celebrate Rotary International World Understanding and Peace Day. Award student contest winners and recognize a Rotarian and a non-Rotarian who have exemplified non-violence, in coordination with the District.
April/May: Present the Outstanding Citizen of the Year award.
May 30: Conduct an activity at San Patricio Plaza to honor and assist veterans, led by José Irizarry.
Service Projects in the Pipeline:
- Support for juvenile and adult prisoners as part of Proyecto Rotario PRoPaz.
- Installation of the Pablo Casals Peace Monument (proposed sculpture by Nilda Comas) and Peace Poles at the reconstructed Luis Muñoz Rivera Park.
- Assistance for the Fisher Home Organization VA project in front of the San Francisco Shopping Center.
- Emergency Preparedness Project.
Service Projects in the Pipeline:
- Support for juvenile and adult prisoners as part of Proyecto Rotario PRoPaz.
- Installation of the Pablo Casals Peace Monument (proposed sculpture by Nilda Comas) and Peace Poles at the reconstructed Luis Muñoz Rivera Park.
- Assistance for the Fisher Home Organization VA project in front of the San Francisco Shopping Center.
- Emergency Preparedness Project.
Last Friday July 20, the Santurce and San Juan Rotary Clubs visited Colegio San Juan Bosco to hand them two checks for $2,800 each, to cover the cost of a whole year for two students. Mrs. Sandra Martinez, the administrator of the school, has invited us to visit them after classes start to see them in operation and meet the recipients of the two scholarships. John Shapiro, President, Rosanna Roig and David Klau from the Santurce Club, Delia Colorado, Past President, and Tito Colorado from our Club, were the bearer of the donations.
CONGRATULATIONS to JOSE "PEPITO" RIVERO OLMEDO, who was honored by District 7000 for his outstanding efforts as Editor of San Juan Rotary's e-Garita. The weekly newsletter delivers the Rotary message and our Club activities to members and island fellow Rotarians.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR Juanita Valentin Morris presented Rotary International's 100 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP certificate to Club President Pepito. in recognition of San Juan Rotary's century of the Object of Rotary, Service Above Self.
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Celebrating 106 Anniversary
San Juan, PR 00902
United States of America