This is a brief post on the art of living. A friend and former co-worker from Calgary recently decided to bid a ‘fare-thee-well’ to his desk job doing receipt processing for a chance at become a professional coffee-man. Timothy has a fine palate for good food, drink, and photographs. He is the kind of person who can act with courage when that is required, will take time to listen, and who understands the value of a long apprenticeship for the things that matter.

He has thrown his lot in with Phil and Sebastian, a Calgary coffee company that specializes in being the best place for great coffee. In addition to their Calgary Farmer’s Market location, they are opening a new cafe in Marda Loop and Timothy gets to be part of this growth.

Working is important, even if we aren’t working at our dream job, but when there’s a chance to align our dreams with our work, some really great things can happen (along with some very long hours and steep learning curves). Timothy has taken a risk and stepped into something he loves. I’m sure he gets his share of people who wonder what kind of career choice “professional barista” might be. For my part, I applaud it and say that it is a very fine move in the art of living.

For a sample of other baristas who take their work very seriously, take a look at this video. It may give you a greater sense of the value of what we have an opportunity to drink.

Here in the Cardus office, we continue to work out our coffee skills using the fine beans of Red Hill Coffee Trade, a local roaster here in Hamilton. Their video shows the process of roasting beans. Time to go brew another pot.