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[dropcap2 variation=”coffee”]I[/dropcap2]t was early and frigid. I was tucked away at a corner table in a quaint café in the downtown historic district – the perfect place for a morning write.
Sam was there too. He’s homeless, and comes in every morning. The staff hand him a cup and he helps himself to coffee. He rarely finishes the first cup.
That morning Sam sat down at the table next to mine. He methodically sipped his coffee and tapped his newspaper with his right index finger. He turned the paper over periodically, but never got off the first page.
Sam wore a hooded crimson and silver sweatshirt, covered by a padded black and gray jacket. A plaid scarf was wrapped around his neck, and his head was topped with an old beige fishing cap. He had on brown trousers and some high mileage sneakers. His face was worn and wrinkled, but kind. His copper-brown eyes seemed tinged with sadness.
Later in the morning, a lady came in and made her way to Sam’s table. She too was dressed in layers to keep out the cold. Sam got up and grabbed another cup.
As Sam set the cup in front of her, she stared down at the smoking liquid. Together they sat in silence, her gazing into her cup and him tapping the front page of his newspaper. The restaurant was quiet and peaceful, marred only by the occasional clanking of pots and pans in the kitchen.
After several minutes, Sam’s friend rises. They exchange a few words, and she heads out into the cold again. Sam looked up at me and smiled. It was a nice smile. A warm smile. An I’ve-seen-some-stuff-but-I’m-still-here smile. Then he bowed his head, and started tapping the front page again.
There are moments in life that bring perspective. Most of us live in a bubble – the bubble of our own lives, with our own troubles and concerns. We spin, fret, and obsess about whatever needs solving at the moment – our job, a relationship, finances, our weight.
Then the world comes and sits down next to us.
Sometimes it comes like a heat-seeking missile, blowing our plans to bits. Other times, like Sam, it comes quietly. We could miss it if we’re not paying attention.
What if we paid attention?
What if we put down our phones and tablets and took the time to look around us? What if we freed our minds from the mental spin cycle and focused more on what’s in our immediate vicinity?
We would see others.
As I paid attention that morning, I found myself experiencing a variety of emotions. I no longer saw the homeless guy sitting in front of me tapping the paper. I saw Sam.
We would be more real, more alive.
I didn’t particularly like what I felt. The mask-wearing part of me wanted to disengage before I got in any deeper. After all, I had my to-do list.
But I felt more alive inside. Some deeply buried song lyrics came to mind:
“I want to live in the world, not behind some wall. I want to live in the world, where I can hear if another voice should call” (Alive in the World, Jackson Browne).
I was more alive and my heart was more engaged. All because I took a moment and paid attention.
We would live with more passion and have greater impact.
Having a beating heart and a functioning brain doesn’t mean we’re living life. Yes, being alive in the world will be uncomfortable at times, but so what?
Life is messy and getting dirty is a necessary requirement for living with impact.
As lunchtime approached, Sam got up, waved to the staff, threw away his trash, and wiped the table. He probably does this every time. I just never paid attention before.
He adjusted his hat and hood, tightened his scarf, and zipped up his jacket. As he folded his newspaper, he glanced at me and nodded. I smiled and nodded back.
It’s time to pay attention.
Question: Have you paid attention and felt alive in the world lately? What was that like?
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A couple comes to mind. One was a chance encounter with a stranger over bananas three days before Thanksgiving. The banana’s were green and she was wondering if they would ripen by Thanksgiving. I said I had gotten some a few days earlier and they were fairly ripe by the next day so I thought they would be okay. However, I said don’t take my name just in case. She was a lovely woman with white hair and the warmest smile that made my day. It reminded me of the unexpected joy we experience, in the moments, if we pay attention, as you share above. ‘Thank you for helping others like myself to pay attention, to ask questions etc. It helps me to be in gratitude.
Hi Tammy. Thanks for sharing. Unexpected joy – yes, indeed. I’m glad we have a lot of that, if we pay attention. Thanks. Reading your comment reminds me to pay attention again today. Blessings to you…
A couple comes to mind. One was a chance encounter with a stranger over bananas three days before Thanksgiving. The banana’s were green and she was wondering if they would ripen by Thanksgiving. I said I had gotten some a few days earlier and they were fairly ripe by the next day so I thought they would be okay. However, I said don’t take my name just in case. She was a lovely woman with white hair and the warmest smile that made my day. It reminded me of the unexpected joy we experience, in the moments, if we pay attention, as you share above. ‘Thank you for helping others like myself to pay attention, to ask questions etc. It helps me to be in gratitude.
Hi Tammy. Thanks for sharing. Unexpected joy – yes, indeed. I’m glad we have a lot of that, if we pay attention. Thanks. Reading your comment reminds me to pay attention again today. Blessings to you…
I dont often sit out in public places just watching, but I am a people watcher when I moving through..I didn’t used to be that way but after taking a bible study called Experiecing God I learned that God is working around you everyday. It is not up to us to go find a place to serve him it is our job to be aware of his invitation to join him. It truly changed my life..I’ve been on both ends the one invited to join God and the one God was inviting people to help. I hate to say that many Christians walked right past his invitation to help because helping us would mean stepping out of their comfort zone but God is faithful and crossed our paths with some who were willing to take that step and accepting his invitation. Thank you for the post it was a great reminder!
HI Michelle. Thank you for commenting. So true. I wonder how many times I’ve walked right past God’s blessings and opportunities. Thankfully, He keeps presenting me with wonderful opportunities. Being able to join Him in what He is doing is such an honor and privilege. Blessings to you, Michelle – and a blessed New Year!
I dont often sit out in public places just watching, but I am a people watcher when I moving through..I didn’t used to be that way but after taking a bible study called Experiecing God I learned that God is working around you everyday. It is not up to us to go find a place to serve him it is our job to be aware of his invitation to join him. It truly changed my life..I’ve been on both ends the one invited to join God and the one God was inviting people to help. I hate to say that many Christians walked right past his invitation to help because helping us would mean stepping out of their comfort zone but God is faithful and crossed our paths with some who were willing to take that step and accepting his invitation. Thank you for the post it was a great reminder!
HI Michelle. Thank you for commenting. So true. I wonder how many times I’ve walked right past God’s blessings and opportunities. Thankfully, He keeps presenting me with wonderful opportunities. Being able to join Him in what He is doing is such an honor and privilege. Blessings to you, Michelle – and a blessed New Year!
Thanks for the reminder. Even though we are grieving the world is still moving around us
Hi Sylvia. Well said. Yes, the world is moving. And we are still part of it. It’s tough stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the reminder. Even though we are grieving the world is still moving around us
Hi Sylvia. Well said. Yes, the world is moving. And we are still part of it. It’s tough stuff. Thanks for sharing!
I know it’s outdated but I find people much more interesting than electronic devices. Occasionally I find other unplugged souls out there. It’s always refreshing to get a “good morning ” or “how’s it going”. Thanks for quoting Jackson Browne, what a wonderful poet.
HI Nita. I’m with you there. Technology can be greatly beneficial, and it can also steal out lives and hearts if we’re not careful! Blessings to you!
I know it’s outdated but I find people much more interesting than electronic devices. Occasionally I find other unplugged souls out there. It’s always refreshing to get a “good morning ” or “how’s it going”. Thanks for quoting Jackson Browne, what a wonderful poet.
HI Nita. I’m with you there. Technology can be greatly beneficial, and it can also steal out lives and hearts if we’re not careful! Blessings to you!
Yes. Recently at a basketball game for my daughter I people watched. The kids hanging with other kids. The adults rushing in to be sure to sit with their friends. Me…..I wasn’t wanted by my family to be there. But I had a lot of friend support. The light in their eyes to see me there and offer a warm hug was amazing. And seeing the world from the outside looking in to my family who doesn’t want me it’s not so bad. They are unfriendly and loners. I love them and miss my children but I have reached out to family called friends and it’s a joy to see them and welcome their warming comfort during this time healing and time will bring us back to one another. But until then my substitute family is God sent and I’m a lucky and blessed woman!
Hi Kathy. One of my favorite verses is in Psalm 68, where it says that God is the Father to the fatherless and places the lonely in families. He did that for me, and it sounds like he’s done it for you. Thank you for sharing.
Yes. Recently at a basketball game for my daughter I people watched. The kids hanging with other kids. The adults rushing in to be sure to sit with their friends. Me…..I wasn’t wanted by my family to be there. But I had a lot of friend support. The light in their eyes to see me there and offer a warm hug was amazing. And seeing the world from the outside looking in to my family who doesn’t want me it’s not so bad. They are unfriendly and loners. I love them and miss my children but I have reached out to family called friends and it’s a joy to see them and welcome their warming comfort during this time healing and time will bring us back to one another. But until then my substitute family is God sent and I’m a lucky and blessed woman!
Hi Kathy. One of my favorite verses is in Psalm 68, where it says that God is the Father to the fatherless and places the lonely in families. He did that for me, and it sounds like he’s done it for you. Thank you for sharing.