Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Starbucks can do it, so can you!

Did you hear how Starbucks closed all of it's stores for three hours yesterday? EVERY store for THREE hours. How much money do you think they lost? Every store in America closed for three hours, that is a lot of money. But the reason behind it, that is where I think we could learn something. Starbucks closed their stores to retrain their staff, to bring their focus back on the coffee. Over the years they have merged into the music industry, the movie industry, the book industry, the hot breakfast industry, and of course... coffee. But what they saw was that will all these things, they forgot to focus on what matters, what started it all, the origins if you may. So by closing their stores for three hours, they basically refocused their life, and put the focus back where it belongs.
To me this is amazing. For a corporation to be able to realize this (and yes money plays a role), but to realize it, see what they need to do, and do it says something to me. I mean how many of us keep adding things to our lives, continually adding things... and then we forget why we are doing any of it. Why do we lay down at night and instead of thinking, "Thank God for this beautiful day, and this beautiful opportunity to be alive"... instead we think "Tomorrow I need to make copies, study for this class, write this paper, go to this class, check my mail, pay my bills, call this person, email this person.... and the list goes on..."
I think we could all learn something from Starbucks... no matter how many things are going in your life... if you don't take that time to refocus your life on what is important, you are at risk of losing it. And even more, eventually you will crash and burn... and then what? It's always good to take that time before you hit that... before you lose. Does this make sense?
I mean, if Starbucks is willing to lose how ever many dollars to refocus their company, why can't we take the time to lose some facebook time, some homework time to refocus on God? I feel like all the time our excuse for not spending time with God is that we are too busy. But there are always 24 hours in a day... so it's not like one day has less hours than the rest. And really, I know for me, when I take the time to refocus... I do better at everything else I need to do. Having your focus straight really helps... and yet we don't want to take the risk.
Sorry I don't have any bible verses for this. It's not what I read on... but man it's so relevant to everyone's life.
Just remember you can make as many excuses as you want to not spend time with God... but sometimes it's worth the "loss" in your day to refocus your attention. If Starbucks can do it... can't you?

1 comments:

Sarah said...

MOMMA!

I love that we have taken our relationship to the next level. I miss you so much too. I really liked what you wrote (even if I can't like Starbucks!) I would love to take some three hour time slots to retrain my mind!

I will see you soon. I have a good feeling about this!