Courage

So this guy comes over to serve me a coffee in a small coffee shop in Malaysia. We got to talking and he started telling me his life story. This guy was a young man that was from Myanmar. He was in Malaysia living and working illegally after running away from Myanmar in the middle of the night with a group of 18 people. They swam in the sea to small boats which brought them to Thailand where they walked through the jungles in the dark for days and then crossed into Malaysia. At the time that I met him he was struggling to get refugee status in the US or Canada. I was amazed at his story and was thinking what courage he must have had to make it through that journey.

Courage is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I've been thinking that it's something we need when we face difficult decisions or are facing changes in our lives. Sometimes I am more courageous than others. The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz was in search of his courage only to find out that he already was courageous. Sometimes I forget that I am courageous. I've been asking myself when have I been courageous and what has that allowed me to overcome?Also, in what situations in my current life do I need to muster up some courage? I've also been thinking that it's really important to exercise my courage, as the more acts of courage that I engage myself in, the more courageous I will become.

Some quotes on courage...

Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.
- Raymond Lindquist

With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.
- Keshavan Nair

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day, saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
-Walt Disney

It Takes Courage...
It takes courage to be yourself.
It takes courage to overcome your fears.
It takes courage to do what seems impossible.
It takes courage to take steps on a journey.
It takes courage to follow your dreams.
It takes courage to make decisions.
It takes courage to believe.
It takes courage to get up after you've fallen.
It takes courage to succeed.
It takes courage to be integral.
It takes courage to love.
It takes courage to experience adventure.
It takes courage to look within yourself.
It takes courage to communicate and negotiate.
It takes courage to make a change.

When have you been courageous?

What's your preference?

What's your preference?...coffee, tea or me?...lol
No seriously! Do you like coffee, tea or coco? There are so many choices these days! Do you like a latte, cappuccino, espresso, regular coffee, ice coffee, coffee shakes, mint tea, green tea, herbal teas, Earl grey, chamomile or a rich cup of cocoa? Do you like to add raw sugar, brown sugar, regular sugar, sugar cubes or sweetener? Do you like milk or cream or do you like it black? Do you like whip cream, caramel, mocha, flavour shots or marshmallows?....yummy!...so many options!

I like a tall mild coffee with cream and brown sugar. Sometimes I take it with a shot of hazelnut and occasionally I treat myself with whip cream and caramel. In the Summer I love coffee shakes.

I am Canadian and I live in Toronto. There's coffee shops on every other corner. We have a number of chains here...Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Second Cup,...just to name a few. Seems as though people have their favourites. My favourite is Tim Hortons but I prefer the atmosphere in Starbucks. Tim Hortons does not provide a comfortable place to sit down while Starbucks does. I've had coffee in many countries and each place I've had coffee has been a new experience. In Indonesia my coffee came in a pot and there was mud at the bottom. The coffee was excellent! In Thailand the coffee is served strong and in a small glass. I use to burn my fingers on the glass and if I hadn't had anything to eat, the coffee would upset my stomach. I remember having coffee on a trek into the jungle in Thailand. The guides cooked up some coffee on an open fire and it tasted burnt.

Where have you had coffee?

Current Art on Display

Featured artist...Leah Jacobs

I love dragons! I've been collecting them most of my life. I love to draw them too. These works of art are currently on display here in the Virtual Art cafe. They start out as pen and ink drawings and then take on a personality of their own once the Watercolours hit the paper. These little gems are approx. 8" x 10". They are also available as prints.

Welcome

Welcome...Please come on in.

You've just entered the Virtual Art Cafe. We are creating an environment where good people can share good conversation. So get yourself a good cup of coffee, tea or coco...mix it your favourite way and top it off with your favourite flavour shot and toppings. If you've got a sweet tooth then get yourself a little something to nibble on. Then come on in and find a good place to sit down. Have a look around. This place is full of art and people are inspired to share and create good ideas here. You'll also find good books on the book shelf. Pick anyone of them up, pick any page and you're sure to find something of interest and inspiration.

How did this place begin? I am currently a server at a 24 hour restaurant. I've always dreamed of opening a coffee shop. I was searching on the Internet for new opportunities when I decided that if I can't open up a real cafe then I can at least start a virtual one....who knows how things will turn out!

So I'd like to say again...welcome...I'm glad you came! I hope to see you again soon.