Posted on: July 16th, 2009 Goodbye, Starbucks.

The day before yesterday was my last day as a Starbucks partner (after three and a half years). On so many levels, I will miss it (partner discounts, unlimited espresso shots while working, the regular customers in my store, my many partner friends, etc.).

However, even in my two days of subsequent freedom, I am realizing what is so destructive about the life of a Starbucks partner. The lack of any long-term pattern in one’s day to day, week to week schedule makes it impossible to live by any kind of rhythm or routine or rule. This is just one of many ways in which our capitalistic, publicly traded “free market” lifestyle of unbridled, consumeristic desire destroys true shalom.

Our “standard of living” as (post-)modern Americans is at an all-time high, but our quality of life an all-time low.

I am thankful to be “post-Starbucks” for many reasons, but cheif among them is that I no longer have to open my store at 4:15 AM on this random day, and then close it at 11:00 PM on that random day, with no rhyme or reason or pattern to the scheduling madness.

Which means that I can renew my efforts to read, pray, meditate, and run in disciplined ways, like yesterday and today, when I was able to pray the Daily Office, meditate, and exercise.

For me this kind of rule or rhythm is the foundation of everything else I do.

Share Button

Filed under: Me / Us, the Christian Life / Prayer

4 Responses to “Goodbye, Starbucks.”

  1. Bryan Sakowski Says:
    July 17th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Congratulations on your rediscovered freedom and rhythm! I know how you feel. Also, Doria and I can’t wait to visit your new congregation.

  2. Collins Aki Says:
    July 18th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    It’s interesting you say how a life without rhythm destroys “true shalom”, and this rythmless, frenetic life, is a product of, and perhaps even a function of, the consumeristic rat-race unbridled capitalism commands (I can see your boy D. Brooks feeling betrayed by you :=) ). I agree, less is “more”, the more simple, the more sane, and peace (true shalom) is more valuable than success (as we define it). So, in that case, congrats and now that you have been freed to do more, when I come over to the house, I better not see you walking around in your PJ’s like a zombie again! lol

  3. matt Says:
    July 18th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    As long as you remember that I get up at 5-something-AM, we should be fine.

    (-:

  4. Gordon Davis Says:
    July 26th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Congratulations, Matt!

Leave a Reply