Although I don’t like to think of time as speeding by quite so quickly to be bringing us to the ending days of August already, the fact that it IS the last Friday of the month is something to celebrate. It’s time for promoting positive news via We Are the World Blogfest. It delights me to think of us as ambassadors highlighting little pockets of love and light for others to celebrate as well.
The special lead co-hosts for this month are: Simon Falk, Roshan Radhakrishnan, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, and Mary J Giese . You can participate by signing up here, and I encourage you to check out all the other bloggers participating as well.
Given the intense energies of August we’ve all been navigating collectively, I decided I wanted to bring you a gentle feel-good story. It might be just the opportunity to pour yourself a cup of tea, and settle in for a short celebration of Giuseppe Spadafora.
Giuseppi travels in his bus Edna Lu serving free tea, inviting people into conversation and community. This isn’t a brand-new news story. The fact is Giuseppi has been serving free tea for eight years now in an act of service and community building.
Here’s a short video highlighting his story.
He also blogs so you can read up about his various adventures here.
This story appeals to me in so many ways. We often doubt the impact we can have as individuals creating a kinder world, and one that fosters genuine connection in a time when we’ve connected ourselves digitally into ever-increasing physical isolation. We’re often so mired in a world that tries to frame everything as transactional – this for that – that it’s really lovely to see examples where that isn’t a motivating factor. Additionally, I especially like the simplicity of it all – a cup of tea offered, a conversation undertaken, in a bus that has solar-powered components and runs on used vegetable oil. Clearly more than just some of the tea is green. One of Giuseppi’s guiding principles is his wish “to live in a world less selfish and more sharing.” I can drink to that. What about you?
If we were sharing tea and conversing, what would you want to talk about? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hi Deborah – love this Tea Bus idea by tea-man … I feel it should be an Englishman – but of course we don’t have the reliability of the weather! Amazing idea – and so fascinating … loved it !!!! Great idea … cheers HIlary
Tea certainly seems to be an international language. I’ve been thinking about that both literally and figuratively, and now I’m curious about what various traditions are around tea worldwide. Sounds like a fun global exploration.
I love Guiseppi! He’s a wonderful soul with free tea for everyone. It’s love in a cup and a way for people to have a positive conversation with each other. It’s interesting how he started this out of loneliness, but now must see hundreds of people, from all walks of life, every week. This is an awesome story, thank you for sharing and for participating in this month’s #WATWB.
Love in a cup – yes! I’ve been thinking what you said Mary – he started this out of loneliness and look what’s unfolded. I think there is an important lesson there, not just about the importance of connecting to our fellow human beings, but also that when we’re honest about what we need and want, we can begin to find ways to make it happen. That seems so empowering to me.
Thanks for stopping by, and for co-hosting this month. #WATWB is always a delight.
What a great story! Just a heads up that both the links lead to his video, I didn’t see the blog anywhere, but maybe I missed something. He’s very resourceful.
He is indeed resourceful isn’t he? I admire that. And thanks for the heads up about the link – I’ve fixed it now.
I love Giuseppe too Deborah – and tea. Nothing like a good cuppa as I had just now after getting back from work. But it’s especially pleasing to have someone share in it and have a conversation. Tea invites this. I’ll check the links a little later. Thank you!
I’m just steeping a cup of Vanilla Orchid tea and sitting down to check out this month’s uplifting news. A lovely way to spend the afternoon.
What a guy! Sharing a tea or coffee is always a wonderful way to start or maintain friendships and goodwill. I was in Turkey a few years back, and a friend and I went into a jewelry store. The shop owner brought us apple tea while we shopped, and we sat on a couch in his store to share the tea and good conversation. That was one of the highlights of my visit.
Oh that sounds like such a lovely experience Lynda. The more I hear about different cultures’ ways of connecting, the more I wish we simply made more room in ours for actual conversations. I think it would be so helpful if we could shift just a little from the cult of busyness to the practice of slower time.
What a great idea ~, my Mom always believed a cup of tea was a cure all, and everyone had to stop what they were doing to share it with her. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us and for participating in #WATWB
No doubt your mother was on to something Sylvia. I can’t think of any situation that isn’t helped by taking a moment to breathe and center, and tea is the perfect ritual to do that with.
“The fact is Giuseppi has been serving free tea for eight years now in an act of service and community building.”
What an amazing man! I didn’t know about him, but am off to check out the links now. So many scattered acts of kindness in our world– we still have hope, don’t we?
Thanks for participating in the WATWB, Deborah– appreciate your support.
Hope is clearly burning brightly in our many hearts Damyanti. And I thnak you for all your inspired and hard work on #WATWB. It truly is a joy to bask in the monthly collection of feel-good posts.
What an amazing individual!
Imagine how rich his life is, having interacted with countless numbers of people over countless cups of tea? A priceless experience!
Thank you for sharing this, Deborah!
There is another delightful #WATWB post based on tea which you MUST read when you get the opportunity. Here is the link:
D.Katie Powell Art
I agree Michelle – a very rich experience indeed!
I have made it over to Kate’s post on Candace Rardon’s work – it’s a lovely read. And perfect to pore over with a cup of tea.
I love this story Deborah – isn’t he brilliant. It’s a great goal to just earn enough to be happy and continue with what you love doing. Tea is a huge part of life in Ireland too, especially with the older generations.
Fil x
Doing life his way and inspiring others along the way – how perfect is that?
I have such fond memories of the summer I spent in Ireland and all the tea I drank. Such a delight!
What a touching story, i love the young man and his tea wagon banishing loneliness and building community. He inspires me. Thanks for sharing.
It inspires me as well Lizbeth. It’s always such a joy to discover people who are navigating through this world in ways that conscious and kind and uniquely them.
What a great way for him to address his loneliness! Good for him to have figured out how to do this with his life. How funny that his website URL may cause confusion with the tea party movement but in a round about way, it might bring him more publicity if any stories are written about the confusion. Thanks for sharing this, Deborah!
I love it too Emily that he was able to find an inspired way to connect with others, and then have it turn into such a big part of his life. Life is full of magic isn’t it?! He does talk about how disconcerting it was when the political party began gathering notice long after he had already established his identity as the tea party. I suspect there have been many discussions over tea on that particular cosmic joke.
Hi Deborah!
It’s been ages. How are you?
It was fun to read your post. This Tea Man reminded me of this guy that I met yesterday in Red Wing, MN. A friend and I went camping this rainy weekend. To get out of the rain, we decided to go into the little town of Red Wing to see what it was about. There was a book store there called Fair Trade Books. My friend started chatting with a guy sitting outside while I wandered in and started looking at the books. Turns out, he has a special thing he does for first time visitors. He asks them about their interests and then HE CHOOSES a gift book for them! He was incredibly accurate! After talking with him a bit, he mentioned that he has done this practice for years and he said that it is amazing how accurate you can be after just a bit of information about people. He said that you “start to develop a sixth sense about it.” I so enjoyed him and his little shop. And, of course, I bought several more books! The book he chose for me was Gaia & God. A perfect choice, and one I think that you would really enjoy also if you haven’t read it already!
Enjoy the rest of your summer, Deborah! (And Fall too!)
It HAS been ages Amy – how fun to have you visit.
Your bookstore experience sounds fabulous. What a rich talent to be able to see someone so clearly so quickly, and then gift them so marvelously. A perfect bit of magic for a rainy day! And I love the town’s name – Red Wing. I’m already imagining flocks of magical birds. 🙂
I did read that book many years ago as part of a year-long eco-psychology study I was doing. I hadn’t thought about it in years but it was such a wonderful project, so I thank you for heading me back to my memories.
Happy reading and happy final days of summer!
Hi Deborah.
One thing I’m certain of when I click on your blog link is that it will hold an oasis of calm (no matter the topic of your choice).
I find it in today’s post too: a sea of calm in a teacup. I will be clicking the links above in a bit to find out more about this wonderful man.
Cheers to making real connections “in a time when we’ve connected ourselves digitally into ever-increasing physical isolation.”
Thank you for the warmth you spread inside of me:)
What kind words Arti – thank you.
I find it fascinating and delightful how widespread the ritual of sharing a cup of tea is, and how it presents a simple opportunity to center, if just for a moment. It’s such an ordinary simple act and yet capable of giving us an extraordinary experience if we all it. I love thinking about these kinds of moments and these kinds of acts, and imagine what it would be like if we string them all together like the beautiful gems they are. How different our lives would be! Here’s to gentle moments of calm, connection, and sharing Arti – may your days be filled with them.
Love this! My grandmother lived with us growing up and her solution to every problem was a good ol’ cup of tea (and slapping on lipstick lol). Thanks so much for sharing this and for being part of #WATWB 🙂
LOL – it sounds like your grandmother was a very wise woman indeed Belinda.
“Serving tea can cure loneliness.” I love this so much. Thank you for bringing it to light. I’m feeling the warmth of a virtual cup of tea from this story.
And, thanks for visiting my blog during this blogfest!
Sipping that virtual cup of tea along with you Mary. Thanks for stopping by, and wishing you a happy news month.
I had tried to leave a message last night but something went screwy – probably didn’t hold my tongue right – anyway, I am trying again.
This story seems to go well with the one shared by Katie P. about a woman who lived in various places around the world. She learned a lot about tea and relationships in that time.
In case you have not come across it in your travels via the world wide web here’s the link:
https://dkatiepowellart.me/2017/08/24/watwb-longreads-candace-rardon/
Many thanks for sharing about this gentlemen. I may have to keep an eye out for Edna Lu in case she makes it to my “neck of the woods”. I love flavored tea and maybe I can add some to his collection. Thank you also for being a part of #WATWB
LOL- comment technology operates on its own whim I think. I’m glad you tried again.
I have in fact read the story Katie promoted – so charming! I hope you get a chance to “meet” Edna Lu some day – how fun would that be?
Thanks for stopping by Lynn, and thanks for co-hosting #WATWB.
Inspiring and beautiful story indeed. Thank you for sharing this with us.
It’s amazing how many Beautiful Souls around the blogging-world are trying to lift everyone’s spirit and/or help the world get peaceful again.
Sending you a big hug, XxX
Thanks for the hug Patty – and I’m sending one back to you as well. It’s so encouraging and uplifting when we really look and listen for all the good in the world isn’t it? It’s fun to have our dial tuned to WATWB every month for the latest “news” – always a good thing!
Deborah, I’d just finished a cup of tea before opening your post. How apt! What a delightful person Edna Lu is. This hospitality is, as you noted, ‘green’ and sustainable in so many ways. May more Ednas bring tea! Thanks for sharing Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
I meant Giuseppe.
I love the idea of a little “love train” of buses making their way around the world serving up tea and friendship. Thanks for stopping by Simon, and for your work co-hosting WATWB – it’s much appreciated.