november 23 an 65 degrees. F.

Today I was heading to a little chocolate shop for some hot chocolate. I passed a different chocolate shop that I have always wanted to go. I almost passed it, but figured I would just pop my head in and see what goodies were around. Maybe bring home some souvenirs. Peroooo, bueno. I walked in and started to chat with the woman who works there. She asked me if I wanted a bon bon. She took me to the side room and gave me a choice: con café or mango. "But don't tell anyone because then I will be in trouble!" So she gave me a little free treat. She told me: eat it whole. let it sit, and enjoy it.

So we started chatting. She has someone who lives in N.C. Speaks a little English. Asked me about the significance of my wish bone necklace. And then I started to look around. Like a good american, I figured I'd give back by buying something. And she was like (in spanish) "You know, you don't have to buy anything just because I gave you something for free." I feel like that was so typical of me. Let me earn what you get and just not accept anything for free. so many times I feel like I need to make up for things given to me. While I preach about God's grace, it's so hard for me to actually live like that.  Well, I ended up buying something: hot chocolate. but honestly, not because i felt obligated. honestly. i felt called out by her. but i figured since i was heading to get hot coco anyways.  it was so rich. so delicious. and then she even gave me more free chocolate!  she told me to sit down and enjoy my hot chocolate there.  we chatted more about i don't know what. how long she had worked there. if she likes chocolate. (she loves it!) but it was really nice.  and then, she gave me a besito and i left.

it was such a little nugget of sunshine on this already sunny day. and a reminder that it's the journey not the destination. that it's about where god takes us, not what i check off my list. He always succeeds my expectations. mmm. expectations. i often have unrealistic ones. often let my imagination run. and rarely do things turn out how i suspect. yet God's grace and mercy continue to overflow. even when things are hard.

a friend reminded me today (btw i would be so lost without the wisdom of my fam and friends!): am i willing to let go of what i want?  it's a constant battle between good and better. there's a saying that says mediocrity is the enemy of...? bascially people get comfortable with things just being fine. ok. good. when really, we could choose what is better. as i prepare to go back home, i meditate on this thought. am i prepared for what God has for me versus what I want? Because sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. Thank you, The Fray.

"Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the reasons that we have so little that becomes great.  We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, precisely because it is easy to settle for a good life."

thanks to google, i found this excerpt from Working Smart by T. Lemanski. A paraphrase of a quotation by Voltaire.  Whatever the case, I think it shows the generalization of this sentiment that I share. We often just want to settle with what we have because it is comfortable. But, maybe life isn't about being comfortable.