Wisdom of the Coffee Shop Sage

It doesn't matter what coffee shop I'm in: Starbucks or the local shop down the road.  It doesn't matter if I have headphones in or a journal and pen poised mid-sentence. It doesn't matter if I have my laptop open and a stack of books I'm perusing in preparation for teaching. The Coffee Shop Sage still manages to catch my eye, greet me warmly and proceed to share his wisdom of the day.

They are all men 80+, with a light in their eyes and a genuine smile on their lips. I don't have any elderly sage type men in my life, so it seems God thinks it's a good idea to drop a few in occasionally.  I enjoy it every time.  The conversations only last a few minutes, but the depth and straight to the heart communication leaves me changed.

Meryl, with the brightest light in a pair of eyes I have ever seen, interrupted my journaling time to ask me what I'm writing and when my book is coming out.  He was joking and breaking the ice, but in two more sentences, I had tears streaming down my face as he poured life into a dream I've felt was unattainable. He spoke directly to the reasons I have felt my writing dream an impossibility. He didn't know.  But he knew. I began blogging more consistently with my authentic voice. Because the wisdom of the sage encouraged me to "write even if people are offended.  There will always be people who are offended.  But someone needs to hear your words."

Just two days ago, Tom (with a very thick Irish accent) introduced himself with a smile and the vibrant admonition to "Follow your dreams, because you can in this country. You have to do what you love. And don't let the jealous people stop you!  People will always be jealous as you follow your dreams and reach your goals, but don't let 'em stop ya'.  Just keep moving forward!"

And so, dear sages of the coffee shops, I will keep moving forward.  Thank you for sharing your warmth, wisdom, and light with me. I am forever grateful.