The Coffee Crew

by Mike | Jan 26, 2020 | Connection, Gratitude, Inspiration

I’m sitting here at a local coffee shop – early on a Saturday morning just considering what to write for my next blog post.  I have always read that there are things to be grateful for everywhere…at all times.  So, I thought I’d just sit back and find things in my current environment for which I could be grateful.

My Chai Latte – yes…super grateful for my Chai Latte.  I’m not a coffee drinker, so, this is the next best thing – actually, in my mind, it’s better than coffee, but, I say that at the risk of all you coffee lovers coming after me with rage in your eyes.  The “busyness” of the coffee shop – yup, I love the fact that the employees seem to be having fun interacting with each other, with the customers – helping to ensure that we all have a really great experience.  But what sticks out for me here is the group of men sitting over by the fireplace.  I have been at this coffee shop on a Saturday morning before and every time I’m here, so are they.  I suspect it’s a group who meets once a week just to catch up over a cup of coffee.  I can overhear a bit of their conversation – it’s just about the little things – what happened yesterday, upcoming sporting events, local news.

Today, a few things stand out for me – 1) Their laughter – there honestly might not be much better than a really good belly laugh.  I’m hearing those now from this group of guys.  2) What appears to be a genuine connection with one another.  There are times when you can tell that people just genuinely enjoy being with each other.  I’m witnessing that now. 3) A son.  One of the men brought his son today.  The best part, the son was welcomed just like an old friend and is taking part in the conversations just as the other long-timers. 

It might be the little things that they are talking about every Saturday morning, but, it’s no secret that those little things become the big things. This regular meeting of friends is probably a small part of their weekly routine, but, I have no doubt it will be something for which they are truly grateful.  In fact, I am thankful for just having the opportunity to witness their connection.

I think that’s something that we all could stand to do a little more often – seek out connections.  Sometimes all it takes is a quick phone call to a friend that you haven’t spoken to for awhile.  Maybe it’s  a pit stop on your next neighborhood walk to chat with a neighbor with whom you haven’t had a chance to speak to recently because of your busy schedules.  Perhaps it’s a conversation you strike up with a stranger – who knows, that introduction might turn into a recurring opportunity to build that connection at your local coffee shop every Saturday morning. Whatever it is – the friend, the neighbor, the stranger – just connect –  I suspect you will look back at that connection with a true sense of gratitude in the not-too-distant future.

p.s., On my way out, one of the guys got up to shake my hand and invited me to next Saturday’s catch-up session with The Coffee Crew.

Boom! Connection!!!

The Beauty of Change

by Evan | Apr 8, 2019 | Connection, Gratitude, Inspiration

Life is a beautiful thing – full of excitement, love, pain, and constant change. Change often brings about new opportunities for us to express ourselves, assist others, and find new avenues for us to influence the world around us for the better. Recently, my family has undergone considerable change. From my departure to college three years ago, and my sister following my lead just last year, to the unfortunate passing of loved ones, we have undergone changes that will impact us for the rest of our lives. This is not unusual for families, but it always comes with a certain amount of uncertainty, that can often be scary. However, change can be beautiful, and it is something that I am grateful for.

Throughout this time of change, I have been able to step back and look at the world around me, and more specifically, the people around me. My grandmother has moved from her home of 40+ years and is meeting new people everyday in a new town. My mother has become much more involved in family life, and plays a huge role in the lives of my sister and I, maybe even more so than when we lived together, from 300-some miles away. It has been especially fun to watch my dad change throughout these past couple of years. Recently, he has started to focus on gratitude, using it as a lens through which to examine the world around him and his experiences everyday.  Countless times, he has mentioned to me the things he is grateful for – my mother, his family, sunrises and sunsets, a good book and a cup of chai tea on a cold morning. After focusing on gratitude for some time, he had the idea to start a community centered around gratitude – a place for people to share what they are grateful for, and use it as a means for people to take a step back from our busy lives, and notice the things in life that are beautiful. Hence, begins The Gratitude Spark.

My dad started The Gratitude Spark as a way for people to connect and share things that they are grateful for. He hopes that through this focus on gratitude, people will change the way they look at the world.  To find the beauty in everyday life, rather than to focus on the pain and negative experiences many of us have. This shift in focus can be incredibly powerful. It is so exciting to see people’s perspectives change after developing a focus on gratitude.

This community is in its infant stages and it is so exciting to see how this group will progress and change as it grows. And I hope that this mindset change can change our communities for the better. If we work together, we can make our families stronger, our workplaces happier, and the lives of others better by focusing on this little thing called gratitude. So, invite your friends, family members and acquaintances to embark on this mindset change with you. Tell them about the impact of focusing on one beautiful thing everyday can have. Let’s see where this takes us!