In a city like any other lived a young woman like any other. She studied in college, and had a part-time job in which she tended the busy coffee shop of her grandmother. Working all day and then studying all night she was constantly under pressure! Needless to say, she felt constantly tired.
One day her grandmother stopped her while she was preparing the first coffee of the morning.
-"My dear, you are exhausted. I believe you should start to have 24 hour days instead of a 100 hours one"-the old owner of the coffee shop suggested to her granddaughter. She looked at her confused.
-"My days have 24 hours grandma. Although I wish they had more sometimes!"-
-"For you they definitely do have way more! Look, if I asked you to serve all the cups of coffee of the day right now. Could you?"-
-"Well...it would take me a long time but I guess I could"-
-"Oh, really?"-the old lady laughed-"Do you know how many will they be? Do you know how our costumer will want it? How would you keep them hot? Would that let you tend to the shop properly?"-
-"Alright! Alright! I understand, I couldn't"-
-"So why do you try to do that in your mind? Instead of focusing on the next task you are living today, tomorrow, next month and maybe even the whole year! You make your mind and body work for all of the years ahead of you"-
-"But I have to think ahead! Be prepared!"-
The grandmother grabbed the jar and slowly poured the steaming coffee into a cup. She observed as the steam swirled and, added the cream while paying attention to how it made a shape within the cup.
-"Pay attention to the first cup of coffee you make every single day, take in all of it's details and then go on about your day"-
The granddaughter started to pay attention to that one first cup of coffee each morning. Slowly, she started to do that with other things and realized it was easier to stay focused. Yes, she still became tired but she had started to enjoy her life actually living it instead of just preparing for it. So, do you pay attention to your first cup of coffee? Do you taste properly each meal?
We are constantly stressed and anxious about what's to come! Why don't we just focus on our next task? Pouring all of our attention there, and then into the next. That way you'll feel way better! Preparing yourself for your life is crucial but, when will you live it?
With much love,
Bel.