Monday's Warm Cocoa, 14 October 2024, "Free Lunch"

“Someone anonymously paid our son’s tuition for the full year!” – Jeremiah Johnson

Free Lunch

“Anonymous.” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He was telling me a story. It was a story of giving.

Nature was giving us the perfect evening. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a slight breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s answer to a question.

“How is your son doing in his new school,” I asked.

“He’s doing well,” Jeremiah responded. “Have I told you what happened?”

“No,” I said. “Please tell me.”

“Our friend suggested we apply to a small private school near our new home,” He started.

Jeremiah, his wife and their son moved to a different state two or three months ago. He was back in town for a Friday and Saturday business visit. It was the perfect opportunity to spend Friday evening together; to hear how anonymous generosity turned into free lunch for kids needing help.

“After our son was accepted into his new school he and I went in to complete his registration,” he continued. “As soon as we finished all of the paperwork. I pulled out my checkbook and asked what amount I should fill in for tuition. You can imagine my surprise to hear, ‘there is no need for you to pay anything. An anonymous donor has paid his tuition for the entire year.’”

“You have no idea who it is?” I asked, because of curiosity.

“No,” he answered, with a peaceful look of gratitude glowing from his face, through the dimming dusk.

That could have been Jeremiah’s final answer to my question. But, he didn’t end the story there!

“When my son and I got home we shared our tale of anonymous generosity with my wife,” he continued.

His wife was stunned and they all shed tears together before they received and inspiring idea.

“We had the money to pay our son’s tuition,” Jeremiah continued. “So, when inspiration hit us, we set our ‘Free Lunch’ plan into motion.”

As a result, another anonymous donor now provides a generous monthly deposit into their son’s school’s nourishment department, to provide free lunch for students needing a little extra help.

“Anonymous!” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He had just told me a story. A story of inspired giving.

Nature gifted us the perfect evening for such a story to be told. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a light breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s explanation of how a “Free Lunch,” has become a reality, no matter what his son learns in his coming economics class.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"Sharing Breakfast," Monday's Warm Cocoa - 7 October 2024

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

Sharing Breakfast

“Hey, I want to get together for breakfast,” Anu said, as we greeted each other during a 1 Million Cups gathering.

Because we’re friends and I always feel broadened after our conversations together, I quickly responded with, “Sure.” 

I feel broadened partly because of Anu’s wide, welcoming smile, but there’s more to him than his big, infectious grin. This was confirmed again on Friday morning, as the aroma of freshly made breakfast filled our nostrils. Good food seems to be a familiar scent that has become a constant companion whenever Anu and I get together to talk. It isn't the food itself that I most look forward to, but the stories he tells between each bite, stories that fluidly reveal his own, personal, evolving path.

Five years ago, Anu, a geneticist with a promising career, found himself at a conference, a world away from his lab. It was there he met Scott Ford, a man whose passion for transforming the lives of Rwandan coffee farmers ignited a spark within him. Scott's vision, to double the income of these farmers, resonated deeply with Anu, stirring a quiescent desire to make a real difference in the world.

Scott's story, which is itself a testament to the power of purpose, resonated with Anu's own yearning for a life beyond the confines of his scientific pursuits. He saw an opportunity to use his skills and knowledge to empower others, to create a ripple effect of positive change.

So, Anu made the decision to leave his secure job, as a geneticist, to be part of Westrock Coffee's mission. His was a leap of faith, a testament to the transformative power of singular belief. It was a journey that led him to dive deep inside, to discover who he is and what he wants to do with his life.

His time at Westrock opened his eyes to more than the vast potential within the coffee supply chain. He saw an opportunity to reimagine himself, to unlock latent potential, to use his natural and developing talents to assist African farmers.

Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

Anu's life, is evidence to the power of inspiration, purpose, and friendship, as well as a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness, a conversation over a cup of coffee or breakfast, can have a profound impact on each one of us, as well as on the world. He’s still a geneticist, splicing his unique skills with others to create a future where African farmers are not just producers, but partners in a shared vision of prosperity.

Who will you share breakfast with?

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing