Tea with God in Starbucks

The old days were different. I place myself in both worlds; the one which has fallen away and is remembered only by faded black and white pictures on forgotten shelves; and the world at present. The one with the rushing, pre-occupied crowd pushing past on streets overwhelmed by noise. Empty noise. People perpetuated by gel, mobile phones and shopping bags.

I find myself straggling between the two, trying to reconcile some sense of belonging in the void. Admittedly, I sometimes feel out of place in this postmodern bourgeois society. I am pretty old school, and definitely more drawn to old world charm. Nonetheless, I was not born in the 40's. I am an 80's child and this is my generation, regardless of whether or not I subscribe to it.

I have before me, a cup of tea. A herbal infusion called "Calm". I guess in today's day and age, £1.25 for some calm is a small price to pay. I sip expectantly, almost as if this mouthful or the next would grant me that which it boasts.

My anti-establishment nature has begrudgingly gone into momentary shut-down mode. I would not normally opt to sit in a coffee franchise which is the symbol of globalisation and American capitalism. BUT! Today is far too cold and dreary, and I have succumbed to a tacky yet comfortable corner seat in Starbucks, where I can sit and watch the world go by over the rim of my oversized mug. I am armed with my journal and a fountain pen that has surprisingly not leaked on me yet.

I have seen many people pass this little window. I wonder about their lives and about what they're thinking as they rush past. I wonder how many people are happy, how many are married, how many like blueberry muffins...

I like the world from where I sit, far removed from the hustle and monotony of social humdrum. The protocol, the incessant chatter, the needs, the rat race that forces life into something of a giant timesheet. After a while, everything can start to sound and feel slightly stale and tiresome. After a while, the world can start feeling like one big... spinning... void.

I find my tendencies to want to come away from it all becoming more frequent. Bollywood encapsulates it with dramatic escapism. John Keats did it through alcohol infused poetry. I sit here with a pen in one hand and Calm in the other. In between sips, I am reminded once again of the world in which I live, the God who calls me to greater things and the questions that remain in limbo.

I am breathing slowly, gently, calmly, purposefully. Sitting here with much on my mind but at the same time, feeling refreshed from my time spent with the Big Guy. I realise that stepping away from it all, questioning why and reflecting teaches me much.

You might be an atheist, a theist or simply an "ist", but I'd nonetheless highly recommend tea and conversation with God.