The flow at the coffee shop

I stopped at the coffee shop at the Central Library to have lunch between appointments today.  I hadn't been to the shop since they remodeled it about a year ago.  I like to give the place some business since it is run as a project for a nonprofit organization. 

 

I was surprised to find they either didn't have sandwiches any more or they only had some in the refrigerator case.  I wasn't sure which because the person behind the counter didn't make it too clear.  I figure if the shop is a project one of the lessons to learn is clear communication leads to more sales than mumbling.  I ended up having a cup of coffee and reading for a while.  As I was sitting there I heard people ordering soup.  I thought it odd the person didn't mention the soup as an option. 

 

After sitting a while I decided I'd have the soup.  I ended up waiting to order because one of the regulars was chatting with the counter person.  The soup was week and expensive. 

 

The shop is more of a fixture than a business.  The rhythm of the shop includes regulars who know the menu and occasional stragglers.  It fulfilled its mission of being a nonprofit project.  As a producer of good, fast, food it was marginal.  next time I'll stick to the coffee and find another place for lunch.

 

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

Today's reading - John 8:1-11

The bible reading today was the Gospel of John chapter 8 verses 1 through 11.  It's the story of the Pharisees bringing a woman who had been accused of committing adultery to Jesus.  I find the passage very interesting because of its simplicity and complexity.

 

The accepted take-away from the reading is:  let he who is without sin cast the first stone.  A great message but it doesn't do the reading justice if that is all that is seen in it.  If we took the accepted message     literally we'd never have a firm stance on anything.  The inference to not get too self-righteous is clear and worth taking to heart.  But what was Jesus writing on the ground?  The reading provides no answer.  A blog entry?  Probably not. 

 

My wife has studied the Bible and often gives me the contextual background of Bible passages.  Sometimes she is very helpful.  Sometimes I just like to sit with the reading and be satisfied with the ambiguity of the message.

 

 

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

The challenge of a clean slate

It is the start of a new day at the start of a new week.  There is a fresh snow to make everything appear bright and clean.

 

As I look out on the freshness of it all the opportunities are overwhelming.  Of all the things I could do with all of this freshness...  Where should I start?  How do I prioritize?  My mind races from the moment to the day to the week and beyond.  Read a book?  Shovel the snow?  Plan my week? 

 

As I fixate on the options and possibilities I realize I want to pace myself and be thoughtful in my actions:  some good music, a cup of coffee, a conversation with my daughter.  Al good and important things.  Am I pacing myself or just getting distracted?

 

A bit less analysis and a bit more savoring the time I have will put things into perspective.

 

 

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>