This blog series, #30DaysofGratitude, hopes to share bits of gratitude and create an awareness of how gratitude can change our mindset.
Every day this month, I, along with other writers, teachers and friends, will post about all things gratitude. Come along for the ride and let me know what you are most grateful for every day – I know we can inspire one another.
Written by: Ann Barbour
I’ve been a barista since December of 2013. The circumstances at the time were less than desirable and I found myself indulging in my daily Starbucks fix or as my husband called it – my four bucks. My husband just lost his corporate job, starting his own business and we were paying our own health insurance. I was shocked at the cost after having enjoyed corporate health insurance for years.
One day I was going through the drive thru and Mike, the “mayor” of our Starbucks said, “Hey, you should come work here, you’d be great.” I drove away tempted. I chose to stay at home years ago, had not worked in years and Starbucks looked like fun. However, the voice in my head said “You have a computer science degree isn’t that embarrassing? Shouldn’t you do more? There are better more qualified jobs, don’t settle.”
Thank goodness I didn’t listen to that voice because these are some of the many gifts I have received as a result of accepting a job at Starbucks.
I work an average of 20 hours a week and I get full medical, dental and vision benefits for my family of five. I accrue vacation time.
I receive an annual stock distribution that vests over 2 years.
I have the most amazing boss who lets me give her a calendar up to 3 months in advance requesting time off and she is so great is helping me make that work.
A huge surprise gift is I work with a team that’s diverse in age and backgrounds. We constantly tease each other based on those diverse backgrounds (not always politically correct) but we really laugh and connect and have fun most of the time.
Lastly, we have the gift of a great location – so many times we see amazing sun rises as they rise over Lake Michigan. I often post them to share my gratefulness in the gift of a day. It’s amazing how often I have someone in the community come up to me and tell me how much they enjoy seeing my sunrise pictures, I am so grateful they are enjoyed.
My life is richer and filled with more laughter as a result of being a barista, I truly am grateful.
Ann Barbour is a grateful barista living in the suburbs with her husband, her three boys and dog. She loves the practice of gratitude, mindfulness and living life to the fullest every day.
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