She did it again.
Our barista, Diana, and I trade notes. Lists of songs.
The youngest barista at our corner coffee shop is the oldest soul. We trade lists of songs and talk about the music they choose to play in the shop. I mean, Bobby Vinton and Jimmy Clanton made her list. And she has a collection of vintage vinyl records.
She seems to like Ella Fitzgerald and Neil Young. I gave her a list with Lightfoot, Urban and Church. And Collin Raye.
This young woman (not much older than my granddaughter) should be able to somehow educate this vintage coffee shop patron.
Today she told me she’s been thinking deeper about each song she listens to. And also deeper about herself.
Interesting she should say that. I’d just spent a 16-hour car drive doing much the same thing. Spurred on by a podcast featuring a reporter who covers artists and musicians.
And from that podcast came this quote from singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams:
“It’s not about the kite, it’s about the wind.”
Which was really appropriate, given where Diana works. Stay with me here—we shall come back to Mr Willams’ quote in a moment.
Well-Grounded Coffee (WGC), where my young playlist trader works, is our regular haunt. But it is a coffee shop with a cause. A 501c3, WGC is part of The Dignity Project, an organization that hires, trains and journeys with young women emerging from prison, addiction, abuse and other trauma.
So my young coffee server is coming from a space and place I can barely imagine. And part of her journey is expressing herself musically and creatively.
Wow. I am so blessed to be on one side of these conversations. Just about the time I think I’m imparting some knowledge, she comes back with some wisdom that defies her youth.
So back to that quote: while the kite is important, it can’t get aloft without the wind. We need to remember that our kite can’t get off the ground without the help of our community of “wind.” At the same time, being the wind for another is an opportunity not to be missed.
While Ms Diana and her sister baristas might be the kites we are launching, she has no idea how much wind she has provided this creative’s kite lately.
Relentless
