e-Garita-November 26, 2024 (Nov. 26, 2024)

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.