Friday, May 19, 2006

Unexpected

It is with mixed emotions that I move offices today. I'm ready for the change, but sad to be leaving the neighbourhood. It's funny how quickly you get into a routine, a pattern of behaviour. This might seem strange, but I'm most upset about leaving the local Starbucks behind. Those of you who know me, know that I'm a complete Starbucks addict...it probably verges on the unhealthy. I even search them out in foreign countries like Japan and Vienna!! I know, I'm an idiot.

The thing with my particular Starbucks, (and that's how I've come to think of it...as MY Starbucks), is that I've been going every morning for 2.5 years. Most days, I don't even have to open my mouth. This is a good thing, especially before you've had your morning coffee. They call my drink the second they see me. Some days, it's on the bar before I've walked over there. Once they called it wrong by accident, so they gave it to me for free.

Of course I was very sad when I went in this morning, as it was my last Grande Americano with them for awhile. And they were all so sweet. They gave me my coffee for free, told me to come back later for another free drink, and gave me 4 free Starbucks coupons!! It felt like Christmas!! You can see why I love it there.

It was so unexpected, and put a smile on my face for the rest of the day! Have a great weekend everybody!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Homily today was on LOVE. Father Pat said it is a behavior and not just a feeling. We need love. We love love. Starbucks is a "love your neighbor" kinda place. Your story and FP's talk inspire me to love more, love my clients, the toll booth worker, the grocery cashier. Get out of my own head and be more present to bring joy and care to others.

Hope you like your new office!

Anonymous said...

hmmm, i left a post, did it disappear?

Anonymous said...

"I have to do gratitude" - so says a friend of mine with many more years in this world than I. "Don't just be grateful - do gratitude".

Your Starbucks friends did gratitude to you and look how you felt. Just think how they felt seeing you happy at their gratitude?

Hmm - wish I was more inclined to naturally do gratitude to those around me.

Hope the new office is nice - funny when you move to a new place how quickly it becomes the norm and the old place is just the old place.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I'm so freakin' jealous that you got FIVE free Starbucks! It's like a miracle for the modern age! But you totally do deserve it. It's sad, when you have to leave a family of great people, but I'm sure, soon enough, you'll find another Starbucks family who loves you just as much and will also give you free drinks...just dont forget to spread the love over here, if you know what I'm sayin...

Anonymous said...

It's a good thing you get so many free Starbucks. It's like a blood infusion for you.

Anonymous said...

Just think of how boring it would be if you stayed in one place......


Contrary to socialist belief......Starbucks is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Hattigrace: It's true, love is a behaviour as much as its a feeling. And you're right, I think the first step is to be as present to every moment as we can. Which is, of course, much harder than it sounds, but we can still try, right?!

Furtheron: I agree! I think that cultivating a sense of gratitude might be the single most beneficial thing we can do for ourselves. It's been the lesson I've been struggling with over the last couple of years! This is a quote that I love by Timothy Miller, which pretty well sums it up: Gratitude is the intention to count-your-blessings every day, every minute, while avoiding, whenever possible, the belief that you need or deserve different circumstances.

David: I've gotten plenty of free Starbucks from calling head office and complaining about bad service (legitimately), but lemme tell ya, getting free coffee from my "Starbucks family" just cuz, was a way better feeling!

May: Yes, it's true. I might die without my Starbucks.

Buffy: True...I think we should be constantly moving too...if not geographically, than at least travelling in the mind and spirit. And Starbucks IS wonderful...they actually give a lot back...