Tag: takeaway

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#46 Coffee with John

Each of the past 46 encounters have been magical. I have met some incredible people, sharing their time and stories with me. I have also gotten to know people better.

I so look forward to continuing on this journey.

My last meet up left me with an even greater appreciation of people’s willingness to spend an hour or two of their time with me.

Waking up to meet someone at 7AM you have only met once for a day is not an agreement most people will undertake…

My takeaway: the most generous and wonderful gift you can give someone is your time and a piece of your vulnerability, honesty, and heart. You never know the imprint you will make in their lives, even if temporary.

Here is a poem my new found friend shared with me on this 7AM meet up:

The Big Heart – Poem by Anne Sexton
Too many things are occurring for even a big heart to hold.’ – From an essay by W. B. Yeats

Big heart,
wide as a watermelon,
but wise as birth,
there is so much abundance
in the people I have:
Max, Lois, Joe, Louise,
Joan, Marie, Dawn,
Arlene, Father Dunne,
and all in their short lives
give to me repeatedly,
in the way the sea
places its many fingers on the shore,
again and again
and they know me,
they help me unravel,
they listen with ears made of conch shells,
they speak back with the wine of the best region.
They are my staff.
They comfort me.

They hear how
the artery of my soul has been severed
and soul is spurting out upon them,
bleeding on them,
messing up their clothes,
dirtying their shoes.
And God is filling me,
though there are times of doubt
as hollow as the Grand Canyon,
still God is filling me.
He is giving me the thoughts of dogs,
the spider in its intricate web,
the sun
in all its amazement,
and a slain ram
that is the glory,
the mystery of great cost,
and my heart,
which is very big,
I promise it is very large,
a monster of sorts,
takes it all in—
all in comes the fury of love.

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#45 Coffee with John

Running behind these posts: Coffee with John #45

I had a few takeaways from this encounter. Now I am just trying to remember them.

First, a takeaway for me: I need to expand my definition of spiritual. Or better yet, I need to define it for myself. The spectra of meanings are vast out there; the more I meet people, the range widens.

Second: sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. We give or want to attach meaning to certain events/circumstances/coincidences when maybe what we need to do is be in that moment and let the mysteries of the universe work themselves out.

Last takeaway: grateful for people willing to meet up with me over coffee, tea or whatever they prefer. I truly appreciate each encounter.

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#43 Coffee with John

Today marked Coffee with John#43.

This was my first time meeting someone since before I left for Colombia. Aside from being busy, I just hadn’t really pursued meeting up with anyone.

Today’s meet up just kind of happened – met a new friend from a networking event I attended last week.

I have to say that I really enjoy talking to people and letting the conversation go where it wants to go.

The takeaway: get comfortable in your own skin. Accept your quirkiness and your whole being.

Sure, there is always areas of our lives that we can improve but you have do that without compromising the essence of what makes you, you.

Love yourself and embrace your “weirdness.”

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#41 Coffee with John

Takeaway: Life is unpredictable, throwing you curves at random times.

Sometimes you will be prepared. You will dust yourself off and carry forward.

Other times, life will blow all the air out of you, knocking you down and leaving you wondering what just hit you. At that time, all you can do is recover, readjust and keep carrying forward.

No matter how prepared or unprepared you are, forward is the only choice.