#149: Showing Up

When I lived in Costa Rica I never missed the farmers market. As you might imagine, Costa Rica is lush with just about a million different varieties of fruits and vegetables. I made a point to buy something every week that I’d never eaten or cooked with before. This totally changed the conversations I’d have with the farmers, sellers and fellow shoppers. It changed how I related to my food and how I felt cooking and eating it and in turn, how I felt about my body, my self and my day. There’s such power in setting an intention for your day and in making a point to see how we connect with people, places and the things around us. Amanda’s piece was just the reminder I needed today to look up and around and outside of my “do” list! 

- Jaime

Showing Up

I’ve had some rough days the last month - where I get home from my internship and unlock my door and just lay flat in bed, being weighed down by heavy thoughts and feelings that float around in my head as it rests on the pillow.  

The last month was my first month of graduate school. “It’s just the work load,” I’d repeat to myself each day after taking off my backpack and intern clothes. “I just have a lot on my plate so I’m stressed. Tomorrow will be better.”

But last Wednesday, after I got home, I got a text from a friend reminding me that we had plans to go to the farmer’s market downtown. I go to this market pretty much every week. But my friend, Alba, is an exchange student from Spain, and this would be her first farmer’s market excursion. 

I was tired, but I pulled myself out of bed and we hopped on a bus to go. When we got there, I watched her eyes light up at all the merchant’s tents, the diversity of foods and people and clothing and jewelry. I let any stressful thoughts I had drift away. And instead let the live band’s music fill my mind. 

Because it was Alba’s first time, it became like my first time too. I was so excited to introduce her to all the local vendors I buy from. I showed her my favorite herbs and spices and vegan muffins. We indulged in empanadas together. We tried just about every sample of nut butter from one guy. Who knew jalapeño nut butter would be good… 

I bent down to pet a stranger’s dog. And the stranger told me how he saved this once-malnourished, scraggly mutt from a dirty cat litter box and put meat on his bones the last three weeks. I remember this man had long hair, and layers and layers of dark jewelry draped over his neck. His clothes were baggy and he wore a huge smile as he patted his furry companion. I felt like I knew him. Or had known him. Like we could talk for hours. But I think it was our first-time meeting. 

I went to show my friend where I buy my fresh pasta. And though I hadn’t bought from her in awhile, the woman remembered exactly what I order and the herbs I like that go with it. 

I showed Alba where I get tempeh, and the vendor took the time to explain to us the unique process it takes to cultivate it. 

I walked her over to where I buy my fruits and vegetables, and the familiar woman gave us a discount on her warm, freshly baked apple cinnamon bun.

I noticed a new vendor selling Indian foods (my favorite). And we approached him. It was his first day at the market. We asked him about pretty much every item he was selling, and after enjoying each sample, he kept trying to hand us the full meal and would say, “Just take it.” His generosity and his mannerisms weirdly reminded me of my deceased father. We bought Indian samosas from him, and enjoyed them on the unkempt lawn next to a group of people doing yoga and meditation.  

I never realized it till I took my friend here for the first time, but the farmer’s market and all the diverse people that come with it had become like family to me - a family of familiar-faced strangers that bond over a love for music and food and animals and diversity, and conversations that shed light on the transparent sharing of our values about the world and society..

But despite all this, the best thing happened at the bus stop as Alba and I were about to head back home. A homeless man approached us, and after a short friendly conversation, he asked us for a dollar so he could go into the ice-cream shop next door to buy himself a popsicle. Neither of us had any cash, and I felt sorry that we had to hop on the bus in about two minutes. As we began to apologize, another college student came out of no where and shouted, “Wait! Dude I got you! I don’t break a promise!” And he handed the homeless man a red popsicle.  

“It’s watermelon. Your favorite.” 

Both their grins stretched bigger than their faces as they high-fived and the man thanked him. The college student winked at us as he turned to leave and head on his way. 

I don’t know, but I think that college kid left to go about his day with a brighter outlook on the world. And so did the homeless man. And so did the people from the farmer’s market. And so did I.

Looking back on this day, I had so many realizations in regards to human-to-human connection. But I was still trying to figure out what was underneath it all. So I gave Pip a call. And after our conversation, I became more aware of the fact that I can decide myself what I want the world to look like. I even saw more clearly how I intend to have joy in my days, and how that joy comes from connecting with others and sharing life together through all these micro-moments that serve as common ground.

 I'm glad I didn't let the heavy thoughts weigh me down that evening. Because sometimes, maybe all it takes is just showing up and being kind, acknowledging others for who and all they are. And this is perhaps just one way to fuel the world and actively make it a better place.