The importance of chocolate
I was sitting around the other day with a good friend eating Endangered Species Chocolate. It’s supposed to be fair-trade, organic and donates 10% of profits to support habitats. I prefer Wolf - dark chocolate with cranberries and almonds. It’s the kind of chocolate that you let melt in your mouth. Not only because it’s so darn expensive but because it has a taste to savor. It’s chocolate with a conscience. I was enjoying it with the friend with whom I have some of the deepest conversations. Kate never fails to help me see things from an interesting perspective.
Ever since they were in Canada, Cathy and I have been having an ongoing discussion about the differences in our two nations. That led to a question on her blog about what we want our epitaphs to read. Both Mom and Kate wanted theirs to read, “She made a difference in the world.”
We try to support companies who embrace that philosophy(hence the choice in chocolate) but honestly if the product isn’t good, we’ll find another philanthropic organization. It’s important to balance quality with endurance and practicality. It’s a bit naive of me to assume big business is overly worried about its epitaph. Maybe it is. I’m not trying to start a political/economic debate.
I’m thinking more on a global scale about how as individuals we do affect one another. We play a part in our jobs that, while they can be filled by others, bring an energy only we have. The group dynamic would continue without us but in a different vein. It may be subtle but our influence can be felt in every area of our life.
Kate’s point in the discussion was the need to focus more on our personal relationships rather than our work. It’s only at home, with friends and family, that we are truly irreplaceable. I’ve certainly seen enough people come and go at work where the turnover seems to happen every three months(I’m an old-timer at six years) We adapt quickly to the new person’s methods and style.
Born a military brat, I moved constantly - nine schools in twelve years. I changed friends a lot. But I remember a fair chunk of them. One even found me recently, thanks to the Internet. We touched each other’s lives in ways that were unforgettable. No one’s ever asked me to go back to a job after twelve years. The company has moved on without me, as I have. It’s the way of things. I miss the people, stay in touch with individuals. Because it’s the personal connection that makes life enjoyable.
Kate’s discussions have a way of sticking with me, rolling around in my brain until it all clicks. This one didn’t take as long as some others (some day I’ll tell you about the time she suggested I change the genders of my main characters, six months later I was ready to discuss it)
Every morning, I wake up and sing the morning prayer from Goodbye Mr. Chips. I’ve been doing it off and on since I was a kid and Mom would play the record (large, black discs for OH’s benefit) while we cleaned the house.
In the morning of my life/I shall look to the sunrise/at the moment in my life when the world is new/and the blessing I will ask is that God will grant me/is to be brave and strong and true/and to fill the world with love/my whole life through
To fill the world with love my whole life through resonates with me. It’s why I keep my friends regardless of dissension, it’s why I bring strays home, why I surround my optimism with bright shiny things. A little love, and some good chocolate, can make a difference in the world.
How do you make a difference(this blog counts, ask Scope)
97 comments August 8th, 2007