Most of us have routines and I am no exception. Usually, my early mornings are filled with reading, reflection and a light breakfast before heading to the local Starbucks and the gym. On Saturdays I prefer to get up before the crack of dawn and head for the beach for a long run between the first and last lifeguard towers, but today I slept in late; 07:00 is a lazy morning. I gathered my gym clothes and shot out the door, fired up the truck and headed for my early morning mistress, Starbucks. When I arrived, there was the regulars, the line was moderate, and yet it was not moving. When I looked to see what the delay was, I discovered there was a man at the counter counting pennies, 501, 502, 503... you get the idea. I was saying to my self, "Hey Wing Nutt, get a clue!" The guy just kept on counting, 575, 576, 577...I was contemplating saying something, but the man had his son with him. It was amazing how many different thoughts I had while trying patiently to stand in line, and all the while this guy was oblivious to the other customers who were waiting. The two things that kept me from saying anything was first; I would under most circumstances not what to embarrass, belittle, or disrespect this man in front of others and especially his son. Second, was something that has helped me tremendously, and that is, we are all broken. Me, you, no one is excluded; all the money, education, notoriety, position, status, you fill in the blank, we are all broken.
So I walked up to the barista, explained what was happening at the register and asked for my usual Americano as I continued to hear the man in the background counting, 713, 714, 715...and I was out of there in 90 seconds. This experience might seem to be insignificant, but seeing people as souls, not just a physical material stuff, and seeing them as broken has helped me to be kinder, helpful, and titch more patient; maybe its because I'm broken too.
