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.

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Posted by Namaste
Jul 3, 2010
Comments (16)

Readers Comments

heartofflesh wrote: God made every single human being in his image and likeness. If we continue to remember that it is easy to understand we're no different.I mean all human beings are connected. No one is superior or inferior. Thanks for your post! God has a plan for your life and as you keep doing God's will you'll understand God's Will

peanut wrote: What a wonderful act of kindness,you probably made his day a whole lot warmer. God Bless You.

sharonmo1320 wrote: I work at San Fran General Hospital in Emergency Psych Services, and I suppose I feel a little differently about the homeless on the street as I spend my time attempting to get the homeless hooked up with all the many services that are available through the generosity of all the working people and their taxes in the City. There are so many public programs to help them get off the streets but they refuse to give up their begging as it has become a way of life. They take money from the tax payers on many levels like SSI, and spend it on drugs, alcohol and who knows what else. Then they make hundereds of dollars a day from people who feel sorry for them. Yes, the people who give feel good but most often they are being dishonest and taking your money and offerings without any concern for the hard work that goes into your sacrifices or the quality of your gift. That is the saddest thing of all. Your gift is a scam for them and they remain spiritually impoverished while you are elevated spiritually. How can we truly help them, is my question, and elevate them with our giving as well as ourselves?

Jacinda wrote: Namaste what a wonderful heart you have! I loved your story so very much! Thank you so very much for sharing :) God bless you. Take care. I really hope you have a wonderful week! Love and smiles, Jacinda :)

Namaste wrote: Thanks everyone for your comments.

I was very touched by your comment luckyman - thank you.

I appreciate sharonmo1320's share and her question of "how can we truly help them (homeless people), and elevate them with our giving?"

That is a great question. I don't have any simple solutions. Would love to hear from others as to their thoughts on this.

However, I don't agree with the comment that "your gift is a scam for them." From my perspective, this man was clearly cold and a hot chocolate helped to warm him from the inside physically, and ideally, also gave him a little hope.

One of the gifts of psychology is Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and in nearly all instances, before people can be elevated spiritually, their basic necessities need to be taken care of, like food, shelter, being warm, etc.

I also hesitate to give homeless people money sometimes just because I'm not sure what they will spend it on, but I do feel more comfortable giving food or a hot beverage like tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

Again, thanks for everyone's comments, and happy holidays!

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

shamini wrote: God bless 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.

iferlamb wrote: Truly wonderful post.

Thank you so very much for sharing it.

Smiles.

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