wheels are turning. inspiration from other places.

I flew form Austin to Atlanta, where I meet the rest of the crew, which gave me some time to really be in thought and mentally prepare for my trip.  In Atlanta, I would meet up with Sarah, Stephan, Adam and Paul. Here they are from Left to right: Stephan, Sarah, Adam - Paul not pictured.

Sarah, whom I would be meeting for the first time, is the Downtown Credo Coffee shop manager.  Right of the bat, I knew we were going to get along. She was upbeat and silly.  Since coming on board, she has played a pivotal role in the coffee shop in orlando. She has a wonderful sense of detail and organization, something that is crucial when getting behind something like Downtown Credo, especially with our goals to grow. 

Stephan, whom worked closly with Bed when the Downtown Credo was first paving the way, was also with us.  Stephan is charismatic and fun. He is also very in tune with his surrounds, you can tell he experiences things with all of him. He was also our voice; Stephan was our translator. Because of his presence we were able to understand what all our fellow coffee growers were sharing.

Paul, who is Ben’s dad ( Ben is the founder of Downtown credo in Orlando).  Paul was scheduled to be in another area of Central America the week after our trip, so he decided to tack on an extra week to join us.  It didn’t take me long to apprecaite that Paul was with us.  He is one of the best problem solvers I have ever meet. He is truly jack of all trades and I can confidently say saved our live’s on multiple occasions during the trip.

Finally, there was Adam.  He was there purely for entertainment value. (Just kidding Adam). He was fortunate enough to go on the trip last year.  He really helped me understand how are the partnerships were intermixed and truly how much The Credo actually does revolove around creating community. He is open and honest and I respect and admire this about him. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without him there.

We flew from Atlanta to Guatemala City and this is where the story begins…

From Left: Adam, Me, Paul

My time in Guatemala ignited a fire within me. I don’t know if it was the company, being so close to the heart of it all, or the accumulation of both, but I realized that Downtown Credo is so much more then just a good cup of coffee.  It is families, friends and above all else community.

My plan over the next week is to recreate my trip for you, through pictures and video on my blog so you to can experience Downtown Credo. Your mind will be blown by how much goes into getting you your morning cup of Joe. Be Warned, you will never look at another cup of coffee the same, or at least that is the hope ;-)

For now, Reject apathy, create community and give away free hugs!

come create an edible container garden at the new image youth center this saturday! we will plant veggies and herbs to welcome in the spring season. experienced local gardener, wendy smith facilitates the community garden at new image and will host the workshop - you’re sure to learn a lot from some hands-on experience! $10 fee for supplies or come hang out and learn for free!

212 south parramore avenue. orlando 32805. 11a. really great.

valentine’s day will prompt reams of gushy, heartfelt doggerel but the love poem is timeless… and it’s damn hard to do without coming off as lovesick teenagers fumbling with scansion and sentiment. we realize you are risking being vulnerable and making a fool of yourself to someone you trust. but this is not such an awful risk, and certainly one worth taking. let’s fumble through it together. be sure to bring along one of your favorite poems or the lyrics to your favorite love song.

j. bradley freely shares lessons learned from his own experiences - there’s no better way to learn! he is the author of dodging traffic (ampersand books, 2009) and the upcoming collection we will live like our ghosts will live (yesyes books, 2013). his poems have been published in numerous magazines including PANK magazine, decomP, NAP, vinyl poetry and smalldoggies magazine. he lives at iheartfailure.net, you’d be doing yourself a favor to check it out!

this saturday. 11a. free. 706 w. smith street. everyone welcome. taken OR single!

I will be documenting this trip via journal, video and blog, so you can be part of the process too. I go with an open heart and mind. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, as I could not have gotten to this place alone.

P.S. I included this picture of my luggage because I wanted to document this rare occasion of how little I packed. I am a classic over packer. This is me with a luggage weight limit of 30lbs. I came in at 28.9, room to spare!

P.P.S .I have included a link to the downtown Credo’s web site where you can buy coffee from our family of growers in La Perla, if you aren’t already. If you drink coffee and you don’t know how it is getting to you and who it is effecting along the way…start asking questions… you don’t have to buy our coffee, but be a conscious consumer. Reject apathy and live a life of meaning, impact and community.

http://www.downtowncredo.com/products-page/

See you soon.

excited to announce our next series of workshops!

I was sitting with a friend last night discussing this very thing.  She shared that is isn’t the fear of success that holds us back, but instead the fear of people not liking our ideas.  The fear that people won’t believe in what we are doing. They may even call it stupid!  She also reminded me that people don’t buy into ideas, they buy into the people behind the ideas.    

This made we think about how many times in life I haven’t done something because of what other’s may think.  So in this year of 2012, I am committed to not letting anything hold me back.  And I know better then anyone, the evil “you can’t do it monster” that lives on my right shoulder will rear his ugly head. But, I will come back to this beautiful reminder.  Remembering, that most people who have made a difference in this world, weren’t always the most popular. I mean think about it, not everyone liked Martin Luther King Jr., but he sure made a difference in this world.  

May your 2012 be filled with wild ideas, unwavering passion, bold action and downtown credo coffee :)