Hot Chocolate And Two Equals

--by Namaste, posted Jul 3, 2010

Last week, I went to work very early as I had a lot to do, and early mornings, before others get to work are the times I can be most productive. I arrived at the Embarcadero station in San Francisco from the East Bay around 5:30am and as I surfaced from underground, I checked my BlackBerry and noticed the next SF Muni bus was in 10 minutes.

Instead of waiting around for 10 minutes in the cold, I felt inspired to go buy this (possibly homeless?) man in a wheelchair something from the Starbucks. I had seen him before sitting outside in his wheelchair trying to stay warm, and quietly and politely shaking his cup gently (I've never heard him asking for change though) hoping someone will contribute some more coins.

I went up to him and asked "Brother, can I bring you some hot coffee from Starbucks?" He replied with "Hot Chocolate," immediately, without thinking about it. It took me a little bit aback how quickly he replied - he really knew he wanted the Hot Chocolate! I then told him I'd be back in a few minutes.

So I went to Starbucks, ordered the Hot Chocolate, and they asked me whether or not I wanted whipped cream. That also took me aback for a moment, trying to put myself in his shoes and wondering if he would like whipped cream on top. So I told the Starbucks person "a little, please."

I brought him the Hot Chocolate, decided not to "tag" him with a Smilecard as it did not seem appropriate even though I had one on me, and then went on my way.

The very next morning, I found myself at the Embarcadero station at the same time, approximately 5:30, and also had about 10 minutes before my bus was due to arrive. I looked up Market Street and he was there again, so I walked up and asked him if I could buy him another Hot Chocolate (it was also very cold that morning).

He said, "Yes, please," and I asked him if he wanted whipped cream or not, and he said, "No, two Equals." Again, that took me aback how quickly he answered (usually when people are deciding what they want, they pause at least ever so slightly to think about it). I clarifed with him that he meant Equal, the sugar substitute, and he confirmed that is indeed what he wanted.

So I went to Starbucks, and after opening the door I noticed two things:

1) The difference in temperature between the frigid outside and the warm and fragrant-smelling inside of Starbucks

2) The song that was playing on Starbucks' "radio." It was that Christmas/holiday song about the drummer boy who plays for baby Jesus -- "I will play my drum for you, pa-rum-pa-pum-pum."

I had been reading a book the night before describing Jesus' life and service, and hearing that song was so powerful for me that I almost started crying in Starbucks, so for me it was confirmation for me that I was doing "the right thing" and that in his own way, Jesus was supporting me through giving me that beautiful synchronicity.

So, I paid for the Hot Chocolate and then looked through all the packets of sugar (raw sugar, equal, sweet & lo, and a few others) and took two Equals.

Then I walked a block and brought him the Hot Chocolate with two Equals and a napkin. He thanked me, and I went on my way to work.

Both interactions were so sweet for me. I don't know if I'll see him again or not, but I was touched and am a little different because of it. Different may not be the right word, moreso "closer to my authentic self." It felt like a layer of whatever was getting between me (small ego self) and the real me (as spirit) thinned, or the veil was pulled back a bit.

Today as I reflect upon it on this day after Thanksgiving, I'm struck by the metaphor of the 2 Equals. On one hand, he was a homeless man in a wheelchair, and I was an employed person with full use of my limbs, but from another perspective, there is no difference between us. We are brothers, equals, children of God both trying to do our best to navigate what can be a challenging world.

(I also think of the book entitled "Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Soul," which I read several years ago and loved.)

We are all equals in the eyes of God(dess)/Jesus/Buddha/Source, whether or not we recognize it or not. I pray that during this holiday season especially, that the Universal Creator (whatever name we choose to give it), to please help us to remember to try not to take too much stock in what our limited 5 senses report to our brains, and instead trust what we feel in our hearts. Help us to remember to treat our Brothers and Sisters as Equals, despite appearances.

4564 Reads

Posted by Namaste
Jul 3, 2010
Comments (16)

Readers Comments

Zevelina wrote: It felt like a layer of whatever was getting between me (small ego self) and the real me (as spirit) thinned, or the veil was pulled back a bit. = love this!

bookworm58 wrote: Your story is special and i thank you for sharing.

HDCharlie wrote: Sharonmo1320, thank you for your comments. I can see how it may become difficult sometimes to feel the beauty of god's grace in ourselves when we see the recipients of our love squander or even outright dismiss the nature of our efforts to help them. After working with alcoholics for many years i've come to realize that the miracles we receive by helping others isn't about them. Instead, that miracle is the one that god provides to us with peace, serenity,and joy in our own lives. I pray for understanding of his will for me, and when i give to others i have to do so without expectation. Expectations = disappointments. Simply doing what i believe is god's will for me today is the mutual fund that continues to pay dividends back to me day after day, without exception. I help people because i know first hand that it's a moral imperative for me if i want to live a life that is happy, joyous, and free. The man in the wheelchair in this story felt a bit warmer as a result of it. Namaste can feel warm for years. Exponential joy! Couldn't we all use some of that?

Jorge wrote: I truly found this post spritually uplifting. Sharonmo1320 makes a valid point about the many services offered to the homeless population. With that being said i also give whenever i can. It is not up to me to determine how the money will be spent. I am giving someone the opportunity to eat and drink something that most people take for granted. When i see someone in need out in the rain, cold, 100 degree heat, etc. I feel we must help that person that is out there suffering anyway we can. No matter what your religious faith is, isn't this what our spiritual life is all about? I think it is.

flowerpower wrote: We are all equals in the eyes of god. So true:) peace to all!

jenwuzhere wrote: O wow! That's amazing!

shamini wrote: God bless you.

deneen wrote: That is such a powerful metaphor, thanks for sharing your spirituality. I am inspired by you!

JeanieMarie wrote: Namaste, i was so impressed with your response to sharonmo1320's comment, which i agreed with most of what she said. I thought you would be angry but you were so kind & polite in answering her, & very aware of some of those problems, i was so impressed. Your gentleness was like you gave a smile card to me! It was a great lesson for everyone. Wish i could sit & share a hot chocolate with you & learn more from your wonderful attitude on life.

debbie wrote: It does not matter what they do with the money or whatever we give them. That is going to be between them and god. We give from the heart and it feels good. God sees that. I would not worry so much about what they do, or else we would never give. It is the same as giving to charity, we do not know if it goes directly to the charity involved before the big hands get a chunck of it. So i would give giving and dont worry because god sees your intention. I love the metaphor about the 2 equals. It was a very nice story.

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