Blog A Day at the Coffee Farm: When Time Becomes a Gift
A Day at the Coffee Farm: When Time Becomes a Gift
Sometimes the best lessons come from simply showing up. A personal story about visiting a friend's coffee farm and discovering that making time for what matters isn't about having time—it's about choosing to create it.
A Day at the Coffee Farm: When Time Becomes a Gift
Today, I visited my friend and partner Mike's coffee farm in Finland. Why did I want to see his farm? The first reason was simple—I'm genuinely interested in understanding my friends better. The second reason emerged later: it became an opportunity to spend quality time with my elder daughter, who's already in Form 2 (Grade 8). Chances to do activities together are becoming fewer, especially one-on-one time without her younger sister.
The Old Me vs. The New Me
In the past, even when I was deeply interested in what my friends were doing, I never had time to really understand or see them. Why? Family responsibilities. Career demands. All of the above.
So do I have time now? The idea that we don't have enough time is an illusion.
I want people to treat me the way I treat them—I need to go first. These words sound familiar, like something I've heard before, but I never truly understood or practiced them. After reading Conversations with God, I deeply resonate with the insights from that book. It reminded me of these truths and helped me understand why they matter. So I made this trip happen.
The Unexpected Harvest
The rewards I received exceeded my expectations. Honestly, I didn't originally expect any immediate gains from this visit. But to cut to the chase, here's what I gained:
First, I created a joyful memory with my elder daughter and continued strengthening our communication channel.
Second, I gained deeper insight into my friend's thinking and vision.
Third, unexpectedly, I met a new friend who sparked some fresh ideas in me.
Fourth, I gained a clearer understanding of our role in this world—to harmonize with nature and combine it with our intentions. Human power lies in working with nature, not against it. I learned this truth about all of us and everything around us by observing the farmer at work.
There's More to Come
I'm certain there's even more—things I'm aware of now and things I haven't yet noticed. We need to trust in the collaboration between humans and this universe. We always receive what we want, just not necessarily in the way we imagined it would appear.
I'm deeply grateful to the Source of All That Is for this inspiration.
I'm grateful to my friend and partner Mike.
I'm grateful to my elder daughter.
You all gave me the opportunity to experience who I am!
I'm Alvin Cheung, an IT pro with 15+ years helping businesses level up their tech. I love finding everyday wisdom and exploring how tech and spirituality can enhance our lives. When I'm not geeking out on IT solutions, I'm sharing stories about personal growth and life lessons.
Email: alvin.cheung@nstrlabs.com
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