Tag Archives: average

The Soul of a Coffee Shop

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Tuesday's CoffeeWhile visiting a well-known-chain coffee shop during the Christmas holiday, I decided to sit for a while and enjoy my drink rather than scoot out the door to my next destination.
The cacophony of sounds which embellished this locale reminded me of an orchestra tuning their instruments prior to a performance. At first the sounds seemed like unorganized noise – and could even be considered annoying if in a grumpy mood. But since I slowed down that morning, I heard instead, a strange harmony.

As I listened, I heard eclectic Christmas music playing through the overhead speakers; steamers making hot milk and froth for lattes and cappuccinos; employees taking and repeating orders; a middle-aged man talking with a younger man about weekly events and faith (a Bible lay on the table); two men sharing stories at a perimeter table; the gentle clicking of a young woman typing away on her laptop; the shuffling of the morning newspaper; and the constant stream of people coming and going while exchanging pleasantries and orders with the staff. And, of course, continuous texting.

Most of the customers were in a hurry, but a few not so much. They seemed to be the frequent visitors known by manager and employees alike. There were somber-looking people and joy-filled souls, and preoccupied folk from all walks of life. Some ordered regular coffee, but most selected specialty drinks, custom-made to their particular tastes. Many of these specialty drinks are rather expensive, too, but this is an affluent community and the average customer wants for little materially. Nevertheless, there are needs…there always are.

As I sat listening and watching the steady flow of consumers and busy staff, I realized that this coffee shop (like most) represents a cross-section of our current culture. Some of the people I witnessed could be on the verge of a collapse: emotional, relational, career-wise, health related or possibly financial. Most, I suspect, struggle with something. I certainly do. This much I know…everyone has a story. Some are tragic while some are remarkable and inspiring. Most fall somewhere in between. Perhaps this is why we are drawn to the exceptional, the heroic, and the inspirational. Average can seem so boring.

If we are honest, the majority of us see ourselves as average – and we probably are. There is nothing wrong with that, for without average, we wouldn’t have exceptional. Those who are exceptional-who excel above most-are flaunted and often placed on precarious pedestals of admiration. To be considered the best or most popular at something is alluring. Haven’t we all thought what it would be like to be the best athlete, musician, surgeon, writer, race car driver, entertainer, etc.? And yet, if we actually achieved this vaulted status, we would become susceptible to a host of potential problems, such as loss of privacy, inflated egos, self-absorption, detachment from average people and average lives, forgetting those in poverty, and the list goes on. We’ve all read stories of celebrities and athletes who still struggle to find love and acceptance, despite having achieved fame and worldly success. So many dream of achieving some sort of remarkable status or gaining peace of mind, but, instead, find ourselves miserable, especially during the holidays.

I think most of us try too hard in just about everything we do. Whether at work, at home or at play, we push-push-push until we have nothing left to give. Life becomes a balancing act, and peace and contentment are forced out of the daily equation. We miss out on the simple act of living-of being alive. There is this constant striving for that piece of golden fruit which is just out of our reach. When we fail to secure it, we panic inwardly and ask ourselves, ” Why not me?”. When some of us do grab onto it, it soon loses its luster and we become dissatisfied again. We humans are masters at repeating this cycle.

With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we become even more anxious. This tension leads to lives devoid of hope, and ultimately, joy. I know about anxiety and striving and even self-pity. I don’t come to you as one who possesses exceptional anything or as living a care-free life. On the contrary, 2015 has been a very difficult year for many reasons. Yet, I awakened today. No chalk lines outlining my body. Inward wounds perhaps, but I am still alive and have eternal promises spoken to me by the only One who can legitimately offer and secure them. Yes, this source is Christ. His love is extravagant, and far better than any of the gifts we may receive or give.

My Christmas wish for all is to find Him who seeks us. By doing so, all of our problems won’t vanish immediately, but our souls will be renewed, and a sense of peace and joy will eventually take residence. This world has nothing close to compete with this gift of love filled with grace. His fruit will never tarnish nor fade. Merry Christmas !

Samsung 1-1-14 391

 

Coffee Shop Observations

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Tuesday's CoffeeWhile visiting a well-known-chain coffee shop during the Christmas holiday, I decided to sit for awhile and enjoy my drink rather than scoot out the door to my next destination.
The cacophony of sounds which embellished this locale reminded me of an orchestra tuning their instruments prior to a performance. At first the sounds seemed like unorganized noise – and could even be considered annoying if in a grumpy mood. But since I slowed down that morning, I heard instead, a strange harmony.

As I listened, I heard eclectic Christmas music playing through the overhead speakers; steamers making hot milk and froth for lattes and cappuccinos; employees taking and repeating orders; a middle-aged man talking with a younger man about weekly events and faith (there was a Bible on the table); two men sharing stories at a perimeter table; the gentle clicking of a young woman typing away on her laptop; the shuffling of the morning newspaper; and the constant stream of people coming and going while exchanging pleasantries with the staff. Did I mention texting? A lot of that.

Most of the customers were in a hurry, but a few not so much. They seemed to be the frequent visitors known by manager and employees alike. There were somber-looking people and joy-filled souls. Some ordered regular coffee, but most selected specialty drinks, custom made to their particular tastes. Many of these specialty drinks are rather expensive, too, but this is an affluent community and the average customer wants for little materially. Nevertheless, there are needs.

To be sure, many a fine author has studied and written about the topic of human needs. There is little, if anything, I could add that would cause you to take notice. Suffice it to say that there are a variety of needs among these coffee lovers that long to be met. Some are on the verge of a collapse – emotionally, relationally, career-wise, health related or possibly financial. Most struggle with something. This much I know…everyone has a story. Some are tragic while some are remarkable and inspiring. Most fall somewhere in between. Perhaps this is why we are drawn to the exceptional, the heroic, and the inspirational.

If we are honest, the majority of us see ourselves as average – and we probably are. There is nothing wrong with that, for without average, we wouldn’t have exceptional! Those who are exceptional – who excel above most -are flaunted and often placed on precarious pedestals of admiration. To be considered the best at something is alluring. Haven’t we all thought what it would be like to be the best athlete, musician, surgeon, writer, race car driver, entertainer, etc.?

And yet, if we actually achieved this vaulted status, we would become susceptible to a host of potential problems, such as loss of privacy, inflated ego, self-absorption, detachment from average people and average lives, and the list goes on. We’ve all read stories of celebrities who still struggle to find love and acceptance, despite having achieved fame and worldly success.

I can’t speak for you, but I want my life to count for something more than a weekly paycheck, a vacation now and then, acquiring things, offering a helping hand on occasion, or enjoying the fellowship of family and friends. These are important, no doubt, but there must be more. Why is it that we feel so empty at times? Why do we dream of fame and success?

I think most of us try too hard in just about everything we do. Whether at work, at home or at play, we push-push-push until we have nothing left to give. Life becomes a balancing act, and peace and contentment seem like foreign concepts. We miss out on the single most important aspect of our earthly existence: God’s unconditional love for His children. Oh, sure, we sense it and pledge it, but do we absorb it? Or do we instead allow obsession with worldly success to take the place of our soul’s deepest longing?

When was the last time you invited the Lord to wrap His holy arms of love around your soul and let Him embrace you? Please be honest with yourself. I hope you can say, “Today I sat next to my Savior, and we enjoyed each other’s company”. But if you haven’t been embraced for awhile, let me refresh your memory as to how wonderful that reality can be.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 (KJV).

As you rest in the loving arms of an Almighty God, I pray as did Paul, that you will “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18 & 19 (NIV).

Why I Really Like Robins !

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 Robins are, to the human eye, a simple yet wonderful bird. I assume the ornithologist would consider this common species rather pedestrian. To be sure, there are plainer looking birds, as well as spectacularly beautiful birds such as the Indigo Bunting, the Cardinal, the Bald Eagle and an entire group of tropical birds with tremendous colors and plumage.

There are species of aves with songs so pleasing to the ear that their ‘voices’ are recorded and played on nature CDs, songbird clocks and animated Disney films. Among the most pleasant sounding are the Orioles, Warblers, Tanagers and Finches.

Although the Robin is categorized as a songbird, it doesn’t make the top ten list of most beautiful singers.

Even the daily life and habits of the Robin don’t create any particular awe. They show up in spring, build nests, lay and hatch eggs, raise their young, forage all summer and fall, and then leave our area for a warmer climate during the winter months. This is relatively common behavior for a pretty common bird.

So, why do I like Robins so much?

For a point of reference, I am a middle aged guy who lives in the suburbs of Kansas City. I have always lived in the suburbs. I have always been near Robins. They are a part of my collective life experience. In a sense, I have a bond with this creature. Something would be missing without this feathered friend showing up year after year- without fail. The same holds true of grey squirrels, rabbits, grass hoppers and butterflies; all which inhabit this part of the country.

Although I am not a bird expert, my appreciation for this orange-breasted, grey-feathered friend is based on a lifetime of observation and familiarity. As I have aged I have become increasingly aware of my natural surroundings, especially the living things. I have regained the childlike fascination of nature, and have become more cognizant of the precarious balance of life all around me. The qualities which endure me to these wonderful birds are as follows.

At the top of my list of reasons for Robin appreciation lies in  their commonness; their average appearance, song and behavior. Odd, but they don’t seem to do anything extraordinary! They exist and repeat the programmed patterns of their lives year after year. Of course, all of nature does this so there is a sense of assurance in watching the same behavior over and over again. And, Robins are plentiful in this section of the U.S. so there is never an absence of seeing them on a daily basis. Funny, but I don’t tire of them. I awaken to their song, and hear them tweet their last sounds each night as the sun sets.

Robins are hardy. They are among the last birds to leave the area before winter’s cold engulfs our region. They are usually the first to arrive in early spring when the temperatures fall below freezing. Due to an unusually warm winter this year, I witnessed the first group of Robins in my yard in mid-February; a month earlier than usual. There is certain toughness about this bird. She doesn’t fly off to warmer destinations at the first blast of arctic air, neither does she return when the temperature has been steadily warm. Show up early and leave late; that’s the Robin’s M.O..

Robins are happy birds! They are the first to greet each morning with chirps of joy while hunting for worms and grubs. In fact, they will awaken you before the crack of dawn if windows are open. Their voice creates a happy noise, full of optimism and contentment. As spring melds into summer, the Robins greeting remains steady and certain. They are a delight to watch as they hop and scurry about before taking to the trees.

As with most birds, spring is an especially active season as they mate and then go about the task of building their nests. Although I wouldn’t consider the Robin’s nest to be an engineering marvel, I do view their homes as strong and dependable structures, built in all manner of locations, and with a tenacity that equals that of a combat marine or fighter in the ring. They will not be deterred even if their nest is blown out of a tree. They quickly and efficiently build a second nest just in time for egg laying.

From the day the eggs are laid until the chicks emerge from their shells is typically fourteen days. I, along with my family, have had the privilege of watching the parents build the nest on a light fixture two feet from our glass door to our deck. We witnessed the three blue eggs appear, and then evolve until the day each chick hatched and began the ritual of groping for food. Mom and dad participate in the nest building process, warming of the eggs, feeding the babies, and the eventual coaxing of the healthy chicks from the nest. Proud parents they are, and very protective of their helpless fledglings. Our dogs enjoyed these special moments, but from inside the house-much to their chagrin! Another plus is the fact that Robins clean-up after themselves. Most birds leave their droppings all over the place, but adults during the nesting period actually clean the nest and surrounding area everyday.

Robins are a communal bird. They flock together to eat and rest in pairs, as well as in groups. They are generally non-aggressive, unless protecting their young or community. During times of testing they hold their ground against more aggressive species such as Blue Jays and Mockingbirds. Robins have adapted quite comfortably to people and pets, and will stay on the ground until a person approaches within a few feet…with pets they bolt a bit sooner! Fearless may not be the correct adjective, but Robins are not timid birds.

Hardy, cheerful, industrious, brave, cooperative, and charismatic is my friend, the Robin. A world without them would be like a bit of sunshine disappearing. I can’t imagine that. How wonderful it would be if we all would emulate this simple, yet astounding creature. I believe our world would be a much better place.