This reflection resonates deeply, especially considering Velasco's powerful message about rejecting the "culture of alibis" and taking responsibility for our choices and failures. It’s so true that many of us, foreigners in Cuba or anywhere else, tend to blame external factors for things going wrong when, in reality, we had the free will to make those decisions in the first place. As Velasco said, winners find solutions, while losers look for excuses. Your example about Cuba hits home, too. Whether it’s a relationship, an investment, or a property decision, we often see people who, when things don’t go as planned, immediately point fingers—at the country, the people, or the system. Yet, many others thrive under the same circumstances. It’s a reminder that not everything comes down to luck or environment; sometimes, it’s our own approach and perspective that need to change.