Musings from a little coffee place

We have a little coffee place in the next village over that we like to go to. It’s small, authentic, has excellent coffee, the best cakes, and started selling fresh bread last year as well.

There’s only one of it. It serves its unique purpose to people in the village and those who like to walk or bike in the forest nearby.

I like to go there for coffee and cake and change my environment a little.

Different places always inspire me.

It’s the one tip I have for you when you’re stuck. Change up your routine. Get out of the house or away from your desk. Sit somewhere and watch the world go by.

I’ve never understood people who keep pushing and pushing, don’t make progress, and never think of changing up their way of working or their routine.

In their lives, or just in any task.

I’m in the little cafe right now as I type this insight. Because I got tired of being at home and just needed to get out for inspiration.

On top, the sun is shining, and spring is in the air. If I wouldn’t know better, it almost feels like everything is alright in the world.

But it’s not.

Starting with the little cafe.

The place is managed by a lovely lady who came from Ukraine many years ago. Her mother is staying with her now, but many family and friends are in Ukraine.

Needless to say that her life is upside down now.

She’s doing her best to help in any way she can. The counter in the cafe has a money pouch with a Ukrainian flag on it where you can donate.

People drop in frequently to ask how things are, and a few refugees frequent the place to talk and find comfort.

Freedom seems far away for the people of Ukraine.

Yes, we can and will help, and yes, we can and will try to put pressure on Mr. Putin. But it’s clear we, the West, don’t want to get the military involved in this conflict, and our politicians and diplomats are walking on eggshells.

I know the people of Ukraine are grateful at the moment for all the support. Still, disappointment is lurking in the future when it takes too long, our lives continue to be disrupted, and the only way to really make a difference is to engage in the conflict.

We won’t.

I know this is not a popular thing to say, but few of us are willing to give up our comfortable lives.

We can’t even apprehend what’s going on at the moment.

This morning I read a story about an eleven-year-old boy who traveled by himself to Slovakia. His mother stayed behind to take care of his elderly grandmother.
Imagine this was your son.

Just imagine you would have to get in your car and leave everything, literally everything behind.

We don’t want to think about this. This is why we’re doing our best to help as much as possible.

Because we know we don’t want this for ourselves and realize this moment might not be that far away.

Gradually, Russia built up its troops around Ukraine. For two months, we watched the plot unfold. Yes, we talked, but we didn’t believe it would happen. And then suddenly it was war.

Don’t let gradually happen to your life. Things can change in a second.

Your turn: What’s your gradually?

Do more of what makes you happy!

Erikjan

PS. The little cafe is called Kavarnicka.