I get that things are grim out there.

But I know people who want to talk about nothing else. And when you come up with an idea, they can't wait to shoot it down and insist that everything is hopeless.

Well, I don't do that.

I'd rather report what's happening, which I do on my libertarian email list, and then spend the rest of my time working -- to create the kind of society I want, and to create the kind of life I myself want for my family and me.

(Pet peeve, by the way: in that case it is NOT "my family and I.")

So for those of us who enjoy the occasional good news, I have a very specific example today, in the form of Mike, a School of Life member.

School of Life small-group facilitator Barbara Williams explains:

"Mike has been with me since I started facilitating in August 2022. An electrician who also designs complex systems (BIM), he was unhappy with his job (long commute, stressful, not quite what he wanted to do). It took him almost a year, but after grappling with whether to start a business as a consultant, he found a better job instead. Shorter commute, promises of more autonomy, etc.

"Unfortunately, after a few months, he quickly realized this job was more of the same and in order to be happy, he needed to strike out on his own.

"Finally, this past month, he did! He put in his notice when a project manager friend brought Mike a big construction project. He took it, quit the 9-to-5, and now enjoys finally having the freedom to take his girls to school, to play with the dog at lunch, and to spend more quality time with his wife - all because he now works for himself and can set his own schedule."

I find stories like that thrilling, and I'm glad my community was able to help make that happen for him.

Now that's not all we do, not by a long shot. But our small groups are a major part of what we do.

They help people achieve all kinds of things, by giving them specific guidance, making connections for them, and keeping them on track (everyone works toward a simple, finite goal every week and then reports back).

It's even for people who have no particular goal in mind but feel like they should probably get their act together and develop the kinds of personal habits that make success possible.

In light of what it can do, it is the biggest bargain on earth, by far (and just like my supporting listeners, members receive a 16-page print newsletter every month, completely different from the supporter one):

https://www.TomSchoolOfLife.com

Tom Woods