Community

Its such a beautiful day outside today. And I am feeling a little well-rested and not like a walking zombie.
So, what is happening in this part of the world today? What is new in my community today?

Starting tomorrow the craft council is locking 14 artists in their tiny studio creating some form of group art and I am baking some of my delectable muffins for them and stocking them with caffine all day long, for the entire weekend.
There is a outdoor lawn sale at CamH and my neighbor where I park my car is still painting on the wall. Adding nice spring flowers to beautify the area. Everyone is painting. The storage company is painting as well.

As for myself, we are making a heck lot of mess outside the cafe. Peter is installing the chimney and being a Greek, you can't work without screaming at each other, father to son and vice versa. I have to go out and tell them to give each other a hug or they can't continue to work.

And Peter wanting to take sweet revenge on me; decided to change the location of my chimney, from the side to the center of my entrance which also happen to be in the middle of my new sign.
"Peter!!!! No more hugs for you"!
Quickly, Hugh came over and took a look. We have to discard what was already made and have to decide the new placement and design. Thanks Peter! For giving me the heads-up. Not!.

The city also came and work on the street this morning and covering up the new gas pipe they will be putting underground. Thankfully, its such a beautiful hot day and everyone is in a good mood. So, with the mess, noise and craziness, I am making batches of muffins and sipping the delicious berry ice-tea Chris made.

Dear Paul is on his 3rd espresso -making up for the lack of espresso during the weekend since he doesn't live down-town.

This is my community at downtown West Queen West. The hardware store Glen, kung-fu master Michael, Purple thumb Jamie, Social worker Paul, Spanish Claudia with her super cute daughter, Gorgeous Val and humble Hector, spiritual Benjamin, charismatic Greg, Artistic Ken, Vegan Chris, girl pow Maya and many more!

I am really enjoying each and everyone of them. I have been really bless and despite the craziness of the city, I find a close knitted group of people I can call community.

And some of us are heading to the park for some frisbee time. Summer Rocks!

Be Authentic

Trevor came in again the other day and I think he feels too comfortable with me. He tried getting a tab for his coffee. I tried to get him do odd jobs in exchange for free coffee but he refuses to work. Oh well!

This is when I realized I need to have boundary. As much as I wish to help someone, they themselves first must see the need and willingness to change. I cannot change anyone's life, even if I am God. Even God gives free will to us all homo- sapien.
Later, Trevor came and tried selling me women's clothing for coffee. I have to laugh at his creativity.

If anything needed change - it is myself. I am beginning to understand sometimes we can't have everything we want. And what we want may not be good for us - I can't see it at this moment. "I WANT IT"! is all I can think.

The more I isolate (myself), the more I get to see myself. Recently, I am beginning to become comfortable with self. Seeing all my quirks and weaknesses; willing my insecurities to come to the surface and deal with it slowly. To get clarity. I learned I must be authentic ; to self and to others. No assumption (according to Michael, a customer). Patiently waiting for myself to be ready to accept the revelations I see in my own heart.

So, when Ken Tolmie (need to brag a little since I do not have the chance to meet so many creative people all in the same day) and another famous writer came to my cafe two days in a row, I gave him my best service. And when I pointed out he has the same style as Alex Colville,
he went on to tell me Alex was his teacher. We talked, we laughed and he would point out to me the many famous people that walked into my cafe - namely Alice Munro.
There are a few more famous people that graced my cafe. All unknown to me. Yikes!
There is authentic communication and a mutual liking of the other. There is no pride, no arrogance and no pretention.

There is laughter and genuine authenticity. And I see that a lot with people in my cafe.