Thursday, March 8, 2012

COFFEE





I've found that sometimes just when you're settling into life, something comes along to spice things up. I think the World gets a kick out of keeping us on our toes. You settle into a routine, your days become rather predictable, the world looses some of it's magic and enchantment. For me, I look back on old contact sheets and journals and think "I was so inspired! Everything seemed so new! Every strangers face had a story and I wanted to hear about it. Little kids dancing caught my eye. Seeing two people ride the train obviously on their first date tickled my heart". Now I usually walk head down, headphones on, rushing to and from work, paying little attention to anything but the task at hand- commuting. Avoiding eye contact with strangers. Getting home and cooking. Reading blogs and looking at Flickr. Spending time with my family and bunnies. Tackling my to-do list which is getting increasingly long.

Then one day while you're riding the train to work, it jerks a little...squeezing the cup of coffee you're holding in between your knees while you dig around your bag for your headphones into the air. A coffee geyser forms, exploding all over your favorite brown skinny cords. Dripping into your new pink ballet flats. Just like that. Hot. Coffee. Cream and sugar. A L L  O V E R you. On the train. The girl decked out in North Face sitting across from you looks away. The people down the train glance over and get back to their Reader. You're left feeling humiliated. Scorched. Alone. Helpless. Then the old man with the ragged old suitcase stuffed with garbage bags, old newspapers and a random pole digs around and hands you a rag to clean with. He smiles. He says, "It's okay, are you hurt too much?" He digs around in his bag of bags and finds one just the right size for the cup with dripping coffee in your hand and the rag he gave you to clean up with and says "Here put that in here and try to clean your hands, your day can only get better from here, right?". 

The man with nothing gave me what little he had and that was incredibly humbling. His simple act really put my epicly embarrassing coffee spillage into perspective. And he was right, my day only got better from there. I'm so glad something happened, that a stranger showed me such selfless kindness, to snap me out of out of my routine and to force me to see how beautiful life is. 

In case you're looking for a little inspiration take a peek at this video a photographer I really like made. Read the story behind it seeing the (internet) light of day here. The things that made my heart leap were the twirls of hair, the time passing, the literal interpretations of footsteps, the windows (there's a life behind each one. Isn't that crazy? I think that each time I see a window. Someone dwells in that frame!) and of course the fact that it was made entirely of film (I think)!

What's been inspiring you lately?

xo, 
azuree

12 comments:

  1. That is such a beautiful story. Once I was boarding a bus & before I could get on fully it started. I was dragged a teeny bit, which sounds scarier than it was. Very soon I heard people shouting & hands lifting me up, embarrassed, I got on to the bus, brushing off concern, I didn't even look at the people who picked me up, with shame, I do wish I could have thanked them. It does remind you of the beauty of life & goodness in the hearts of people irrespective of their socio economic backgrounds,

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    1. Sometimes those super embarrassing situations just make us want to crawl under a rock! I totally understand that. At least now we can both pay it forward right?!

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  2. I think that sometimes, the people who have nothing are the ones who understand most how much it means to be given something.

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    1. I completely agree. It was such a sweet thing to do for a total stranger. I was so touched.

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  3. I think the most important part is what you wrote about his having nothing and still giving you what you needed. The funny thing about your story is that you'll probably remember his kindness all your life even though it was such a short event.

    A few years ago, I was at the Chicago Midway airport, and one of my suitcase's wheels had just broken. On top of that, I'd just had my heart broken. A man from Tunisia saw me crying, and tried to cheer me up. He asked me where I was from, and when I said France, he started reciting an extract from a French play he'd studied in high school in Tunisia. He was an employee of one of the van companies that operate at the airport and when it was time for me to leave, he told his colleague who was driving the van to O'Hare to take good care of me. That was in 2004 and I still think of him from time to time.

    I love Adam Goldberg's work. I'm glad you posted the link to that video. It was an extraordinary video and I don't understand why she didn't like it.

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    1. You're right, I will always remember it. Isn't it awesome that each of us have the power to make an impact on someones life like that, if we just step outside our comfort zone a little bit?!

      I'm perplexed at what about it she didn't like?! She looked great and it's such a cool idea. Glad he decided to post it though, I loved it!

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  4. What a great story, and isn't it beautiful that someone who seems to have nothing ended up having the most to offer? All perspective Azuree. I've often found it's the most simple gesture that snaps me out of a downward spiral when things aren't going my way. (and that feels more often than not lately.)

    Glad you're still seeing the beauty.

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    1. Aw, Michael! I hope all is well! I was just starting to feel numb and distant and I'm honestly glad that something happened to reassure me that people are awesome and not all creepers.

      Chin up, it feels like Spring out!

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  5. this is such a sweet post. i've been having one of those weeks, so it's nice to read something that's inspirational and that puts things into perspective. i got pulled over after driving an hour home from a one-day job, which i performed completely sick because i really needed the money. the female cop told me i was 6 miles over the speed limit. i promptly started sobbing. i think it was just the last straw. she took my license and registration, walked away, came back and said, "stop crying, okay? i'm letting you go with a warning." sometimes a little act of kindness from a stranger is just what you need.

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    1. I cry every time I get pulled over!! I don't even really know why, but I get so upset! I've been shown mercy from an officer as well! I make all sorts of promises to myself I'll never break the speed limit again because I was given a break! Hah. Sometimes you just need a little kindness and I love it when the world makes that happen!

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  6. That is such a beautiful story Azuree. Life certainly has a strange way of giving us just what we need, and often when we least expect it. :)

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    1. Absolutely Ashley! It's one of the most beautiful parts of living! Not to be incredibly cheesy but it's just so heartwarming to find love when you least expect it.

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