“While the news often features the worst of humanity, there are a billion acts of human kindness every hour of every day! Take another breath and sense this truth.” ~ Jack Kornfield Hello, beauties!
When we travel places in search of a new Farm Partner, the OBIIS team asks a LOT of questions. We walk the fields. We check out the supply sheds. We talk to the workers. We typically stay on the farm and share meals with one another. We ask questions about farming techniques, agricultural practices, finances, values, and community involvement. We spend time getting to know the entire family, and we are open to any and all questions. Why such intensity during our first get together? Because we have a lot to figure out! By the end of our shared time, we need to know if we’ll be coming back for a second visit. Think of it like this. Our first visit is the equivalent of a “first date” . . . and by the end of this date? We need to know if there will be a second. On a second date, we’ll really be getting into all of the details of what a committed partnership would like. In other words, are we getting engaged? 😄 By our third date? We’re all lined up and ready to say, “I DO!” Finding these amazing humans to partner with takes time and effort. We are looking for extraordinary people who are already doing amazing things for people, planet, and their communities. It seems fair that our Farm Partners get to come into “our house” and see everything we are up to. And that’s what this past week has been about. BIGGBY Coffee holds an annual meeting called BIGGBY NATION SUMMIT. As part of the OBIIS program called Full Circle, we bring in some of our producers and partners to the annual meeting. Most coffee farmers have NO IDEA what happens to their crop once it leaves their farm. Remember, a coffee plant is only harvested once per year. So, people work LONG hours, every day, all year round, to get paid once for their crop . . . and then that’s it. They don’t know where it goes or what it becomes. Full Circle changes that, and it’s beautiful to witness all that unfolds. For example. Take a look at the photo at the top. Please meet Rodin and Denis Villatoro from Hoja Blanca, Guatemala. I’ve been to their farms. I’ve stayed in their home, eaten their delicious food, met their families, and asked so many questions. Now, it was their turn. The photo features Rodin and Denis serving some Farm-Direct coffee out the drive through window at a BIGGBY Coffee in Michigan. They got to see the joy on the customer’s faces as people enjoyed specialty coffee direct from our Farm Partners. In the second photo, meet Rodin’s dad, Aurelio Villatoro. This photo captures a super surreal Full Circle moment for me, personally. 😍 The first work I ever did for OBIIS was to design a calendar featuring photos and stories of the producers we partner with. The calendar is now in its third edition, and it was so exciting to ask Aurelio for his autograph! There’s so much more to share about the connections formed throughout our week in Detroit. Bringing everyone in the Coffee Supply Chain to the same table is really unique and very special! And while it’s not always perfect, it is a better way to buy coffee. We CAN make a difference one cup of coffee at a time. Farm-Direct IS a better way. Thank you for being here and being on this path. Full of heart light and love, ~m
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“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” ~ Etty Hillesum Hello friends!
Today, a note about courage. Specifically, the courage to try something new. It’s one thing to try a new restaurant, or listen to some new music, or anything else that is super low risk. But what about trying something that you’re afraid of? For me, being in water feels uplifting . . . a type of refuge. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable. Its buoyancy brings out a childlike playfulness in me. Time in water leaves me feeling renewed and revitalized. My friend Wana does not know how to swim. In fact, until this week, he had never been IN a pool. During his travels, Wana sometimes has to take a ferry boat, or cross a river in a small row boat. For him? Not knowing how to swim makes these experiences pretty terrifying. So, when we learned that Wana would be in town for a few days before the BIGG Annual Meeting, we asked if he’d be interested in giving swimming a try. Wana bought a bathing suit and arrived super open to the experience. I have to tell you, as soon as we walked into the pool, and I got that first whiff of chlorine? My stomach did its own little flip! Yep, after all these years, that smell brings back memories of the diving competition days. 🤪 Wana did an amazing job. He learned to put his head under water and blow bubbles. He extended his body and allowed himself to be in a supported float. He learned the motions of treading water, and he used a kick board so he could flutter his legs and propel himself forward. He was full of determination and effort! After a while, we were both feeling chilly and a little worn out, so we decided it was time for the hot tub! I have to tell you, the current Holland Aquatic Center is NOT my Holland Community Pool of decades gone by. 😉 Not only did Wana enjoy the hot tub, we also checked out the Steam Room and the Sauna . . . so many firsts for my friend! It may take a few more lessons before Wana is gliding along in those swim lanes, but I was super impressed by his courage. It’s not that easy to put yourself into a vulnerable situation . . . when you’re unsure of how things will go. I’m super thankful for his trust, and I’m inspired by his willingness to try something he’s frightened by. In fact, later that night I lead a sound bath for a big group. Inspired by Wana’s willingness to try, I sang some mantra during the sound bath. Do I love singing in a car or in the shower? You bet! But, in front of people gathered around me on a deck in the woods? YIKES! My throat bunched up, and my voice got wobbly, and you know what? It’s okay. I’ll try again next time, and eventually I’ll build a bit more confidence. So friends, here’s to getting out there and having new experiences. To trying something we’re a bit afraid of. 🤩 Reminders: NO Yacht Club yoga this Saturday, September 13. I’ll see you again at SYC on Saturday, September 20 | 8:30 A Sunday, September 21 | Fall Equinox @ Oval Beach | 4-5:30 P Full of heart light and love, ~m 
“We don’t have to pretend to be fine when we are not. We don’t need to push through and be strong, Gratitude is a soft landing place that requires us to be honest, open, and willing to look at everything we're facing and not turn away.” ~ Alex Elle Hello!
How is your week going? If you’ve been reading these letters lately, you may notice my curiosity around, and my exploration into, softening. Softening into the space within. Quieting all things from the external in order to listen and to observe. Because, each moment, each breath, is the practice. The day to day rituals, tasks, responsibilities, of life are indeed what it is all about. That’s why I love today’s quotation. I can tell I need more time with it. “Gratitude is a soft landing place.” I like the sound of that. Can I enhance that in my moment to moment movement through life? That said, it’s the next part that really intrigues me: “Gratitude is a soft landing place that requires us to be honest, open, and willing to look at everything we’re facing and not look away.” I’ve never thought of gratitude requiring anything from us, and I’m super curious about this concept. The requirements identified here have some intensity . . . “to be honest, open, and willing to look at everything we are facing and not look away.” And then I am reminded that gratitude is a “soft landing place.” So maybe this honesty, this openness, this willingness to look at everything? Is not something that’s hard if we come at it from a place of gratitude. I’m going to pause here. And breathe this in some more. I’m curious to see where it takes me. Softening deeper into gratitude sounds really good about now. Care to join me? With light & love, m P.S. Speaking of joining me . . . Fall Equinox will be here before we know it! Please join me and Teresa Van Eyk to celebrate this change of seasons. Sunday, September 21 | 4:00 - 5:30 @ Oval Beach |
AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
October 2025
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