While walking down a street you have not yet explored, you notice a shop with tall, glass windows. On one window reads “Athena’s Coffee Shop” in traditional lettering. The kind of lettering you may associate with an old-timey store. But the interior is everything but dated. Through the clear glass, you see the vibrant, beaming sun illuminating luscious plants. The plants are taken care of well; the owner waters them diligently, and placed each plant in exactly the spot where they would get the sun they need to thrive.
You look further and see a menu of coffee and a showing of cakes. Excited to start your day with a coffee, you walk in. As you push the door, a chime goes off. Good morning!, a barista says, warmly, as you walk in. The sun shines through the windows and soaks your skin as you wait in line. With the warm day outside, you plan in your head that you are going to order an iced coffee. You look around at all of the sweet treats: muffins, cinnamon swirls, croissants. You decide to have the oats — the hearty breakfast you have been seeking.
I’ll have the overnight oats and an iced latte, you say after you are greeted to the counter with another Good morning!. It’s a lovely day outside!, you say, to which the barista responds enthusiastically. It is beautiful!, she says. The barista notes down your coffee order and hands it over to the person operating the coffee machine, then hands over your oats. You sit in a corner, waiting for your name to be called and eat the cold oats. On a warm day, fruity oats and coffee on ice is exactly what you wanted.
Time passes as you eat your breakfast. There is nothing particular on your mind; this is your time to relax before the bustle of day begins. Here, in this new place — a lovely coffee shop in which you can bask in the sun — you notice the fruit in the oats. The fresh raspberries. The tart sensation that accompanies the sweetness of the fruit compote. You look out the window to watch the world go by. Businesspeople walk to offices, parents walk with strollers, construction workers fix a lamp post.
You take a deep breath. This is a beautiful morning, you say softly to yourself.
One iced latte! says the barista as your coffee is placed on the countertop with your name on it. The chill of the cup is refreshing. You say thank you. The barista smiles. You walk out with a spring in your step, energised by the oats and the sun. Here, a new day.
