I love it when people surprise you—when they step outside themselves, tap into something bigger—unselfishly, effortlessly.

When they choose to see beyond their world and reach out.

It’s pure magic. And it’s rare.

As you know, lately, I’ve been coming to the same coffee shop every morning.

It’s my little power hour, where I carve out to sit, think, sharpen my sword, and plan the day.

I’m practically part of the wallpaper now.

The owner? He hasn’t said a word to me.

This morning, I sit outside. The owner is inside.

A gust of wind knocks over the café’s signpost. I get up, walk over, and pick it up.

He notices—but says nothing.

And for some reason, that moment gets under my skin.

The Small Things Are the Big Things

I thought, “What an opportunity.”

He could have used this moment to introduce himself, acknowledge, and connect.

A simple:

"Hey, thanks—you didn’t have to do that." "I see you here all the time. Can I get you another coffee? Some water?"

But he didn’t.

And that’s the thing.

Life is full of these moments—these quiet, invisible splits in the road where we can choose to engage or ignore. To act or stay passive. To see or not to see.

The universe sends little nudges, and it’s up to us to listen.

Expectation vs. Flow

Maybe it’s the caffeine kicking in. Maybe I’m overthinking this minor event, being overdramatic.

I’ve always had high expectations—of myself, of others. Sometimes that has served me well. Other times, it has not.

There's no room for flow when you demand so much of yourself.

I sit there, lost in thought - when a young barista walks past. She’s new here.

"Hey, how’s it going?"

She smiles. "Good!"

I’ve seen her work for a while, but our conversations have never gone beyond pleasantries.

I push past small talk today.

"Beautiful day, right?"

A moment of hesitation. Will this go anywhere?

I try again. "How many days a week do you work here?"

"Two."

"And what do you do with the other five?"

She lights up. "Oh, I make blankets."

BINGO.

"That’s incredible! Tell me more. Do you have pictures?"

She pulls out her phone, scrolling through images of stunning, one-of-a-kind quilts.

She finds vintage fabrics in charity shops—old dresses, tablecloths—and repurposes them into works of art.

A thought pops into my head.

"Have you ever heard of weighted blankets?" I ask.

"No."

"They’re amazing. They help with sleep, anxiety, and just feeling snug."

She tilts her head, intrigued. "That sounds cool."

And suddenly, the moment from this morning circles back.

Acting on the Clues

The universe gives us clues. We just have to notice them.

I think about the weighted blanket sitting in my cupboard.

It was expensive. High-quality. But I never use it—because I hate the fabric.

And now, right in front of me, is someone who could breathe new life into it. Who could take something stagnant and make it beautiful?

Do I offer it to her? Do I go beyond just noticing and actually act?

For a moment, I hesitate. The old script kicks in—but it costs a lot. What if you need it later?

Then another voice: Act as if. Act on what you preach, Christopher!
Hell, yes - that feels better.

"When are you next working?"

"Monday and Tuesday."

"Perfect. I’m bringing in my weighted blanket for you—maybe it’ll spark a new idea for your business."

Her eyes widen, filling with light and joy.

And just like that, something shifts.

The Universe Is Always Speaking

I’ll keep you posted on what happens next.

But this much I know: the universe is always giving us clues.

Small moments. Quiet nudges. Tiny invitations to step outside ourselves, to notice, to engage, to give.

And if you start paying attention, you realise something profound:
The small things? They were never small at all.

Actionable Takeaway for the Week: Practice Going First

There’s a simple but powerful idea: going first.

It’s the habit of taking the first step—offering a smile, making eye contact, or starting a conversation.

It’s easy to wait for the world to come to us—to wait for someone else to say hello first, to acknowledge us, to open the door.

But the truth is, people are far kinder than they look—you just have to go first.

So here’s the challenge: Today, tomorrow—this week—whenever you are ready, practice going first.

Smile at a stranger.

Say hello before they do.

Be the one who reaches out, who notices, who acknowledges.
Have fun!

Kia Kaha & Love,
Chris