This is what a Sardinian farmer and his family taught me about authenticity and inner freedom.

Have you noticed how some people, living close to the land and rooted in old ways, seem to possess more wisdom and inner strength than many of the most educated?

The Heat of the Land, the Warmth of a Host

This is the story of Alessandro — the owner of an agriturismo in the valley of Cixerri, in southern Sardinia.
To be fair, it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere.

To give you an idea, the weather in this place is around 8 degrees hotter than along the coast. It's not far from the sea, but it sits on a sun-soaked plain.

The air carries the earthy scent of farming, and there’s simply no escape from the summer heat. Most days it was 38°C. The only way I could survive was by dipping into the small, outdoor swimming pool.

Alessandro didn’t attend fancy schools. He’s a farmer who turned into a successful host. His greatest skill? He’s incredibly good with people.

Like many Sardinians, Alessandro has a big heart. He’s open to life, in touch with his emotions, and beautifully balanced in both his masculine and feminine energies.

He runs an establishment that provides a higher level of service for travelers like me with a van. He built a wooden roof for shade at each parking spot, offers a table and chairs, and even set up a hammock to relax in.

I ended up staying longer than expected — because despite the severe heat, I had everything I needed.

The Power of Presence

You see, something happens with people like Alessandro. They can really see you. Because they are fully at ease with themselves — comfortable in both light and shadow — they are connected to their essence. And from that place, they can meet you at the same depth within yourself.

Conversations with people like Alessandro are impactful.
At first glance, he may seem like a sociable, joyful man who loves his family, his kids, and who is warm-hearted and generous.

But there is more. Much more.

Alessandro is a master of the subconscious — effortlessly. There is no façade. He’s authentic. He wears no masks. He shows up as he is.
There is no people-pleasing. No shame. No guilt. No repressed emotion. Everything is out in the open — fully lived, fully expressed.

And guess what? His kids pick up on this. They’ve developed that same freedom to be — with zero shame. Which means they are forming beautiful subconscious patterns that will serve them throughout life.

How much does shame hold us back in modern society?

Simpler ways of living and some particular social contexts offer one gift: the freedom to be who you truly are. No performance, no social manipulation, no hidden agendas.

A Karaoke Night to Remember

On the first night at the agriturismo, Alessandro turned on the outdoor stereo and let his kids sing karaoke at 10 PM.

It was loud — really loud. I was surprised. Most people in vans go to bed early. He didn’t seem worried about being disrespectful to his guests.
I heard a Spanish guest nearby complaining to his partner.

Then something quite beautiful happened.
We heard Alessandro’s daughter sing — she is talented.
Then it was his son’s turn. Not as talented as his sister, perhaps — but still, he confidently delivered a difficult Eminem track, nailing the rhythm and lyrics with surprising precision. He must’ve practiced many times.

You could see it: an environment where children are allowed to express themselves fully, without shame. Where talent is nurtured, regardless of where it starts.

And guess what? At the end of their songs, the atmosphere had magically turned: guests applauded and shouted “Bravo!” Everyone was in good spirits — because the kids hadn’t hidden who they were. They just played, without shame, and invited us to do the same.

They were being themselves.
You could feel their joy of living, their ease — something we so often miss in more structured societies.

And so, we all played with them.

The Real Game

When people live simple lives and are in touch with their true nature, they see and accept themselves as they are — and with that comes a deep, grounded wisdom. An inner strength.

They have the power to see through others — to sense the love you carry, and also the pain you’ve lived through. And they’re not afraid to witness it.

That’s how, in a ten-minute conversation, Alessandro saw through me — saw my pain — as if he could still see the little girl inside me. And yes, through his presence, I could feel her again — the one who needs my love and tending.

Normally, I’m quite good at hiding her. But I didn’t have to do that with Alessandro — because he was showing up completely exposed, too.

That’s the thing about people with grounded wisdom: they don’t flinch when they see truth. They hold space for it. They reflect it.

And so I left the agriturismo with tears streaming down my face. Because he could see that little girl in me — and there was nothing to do but acknowledge her, allow her, and remember:

Sometimes, it takes a farmer in the middle of nowhere, a hot plain, a hammock, and a karaoke night to hold space for your truth.

And maybe that’s the real game — no shame, just soul.