I recently watched a commercial that talked about ethically sourced coffee. I am watching way too much TV if I’m actually paying attention to the commercials! Those who know me realize that I have a slightly different perspective on the rest of the world than most people. You might say I’m driving down the road only slightly off the curb. Of course, I looked up what ‘ethically sourced’ meant. It simply means: “ . . sourcing ingredients and materials in a responsible and sustainable manner that considers the people and environment throughout the process.” But what about the bean?
My brain took little detour and I had visions of potential Coffee Gatherers approaching a bush/tree and politely asking permission to gather those live beans, submit them to long and laborious treatments and then crushing them to a powder so that millions of people could partake of their lifeblood with the comment “aaahhh! Damn good cup of coffee Ethel!”
I know, I know, I am being silly. But I think we all need a little silly in our lives. And I don’t drink coffee. I drink tea. I hope it too is ethically sourced or at least asked politely. And then I started to think a little more.
I am ethically sourced. My parents met, dated, married and the rest I will leave to your imagination. They were polite in all the years I knew them so I assume they were in the beginning as well. They’re Canadian of course they were polite! Ha ha ha ha!
And then there’s the question of ethics. How do we determine what is ethical? Moral, virtuous, righteous, noble. These are all attributes that we aspire to but that not everyone can claim to be. There are far too many examples of those who are not being ethical. And some days it only seems to be getting worse. I was raised by good people. I know the difference between right and wrong. I understand that there are others out there with the same background as mine and others a different one but we all want the same thing. We want to feel joy, safety, love. It should be a standard for everyone but unfortunately it is not.
We do love to use big words, important words, meaningful words. But they are words. As powerful as they may be, they pale before actions. We need to see ethical actions for everyone. Well, yes, the bean too.
If my parents could even have a peak at my future they would have given up sex on the spot Pam 😂 🤣
But God in His wisdom knew that I had to annoy a lot of people yet so He didn’t allow this so that my parents just had to at least think twice about my two younger brothers 😂 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
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I’m glad you got sourced!
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My dad always told me it was coming home late from a drive in theater one night (too much information) 😂 🤣
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Now you have me looking at the teabag steeping in my clear glass mug and wondering if all those tea leaves suffered just so I could enjoy a good cup of tea! 🤗
I do agree with you. We need some silly in our daily lives, especially now.
When it comes to ‘ethical’, that seems to go out the window in times of a crisis. “Me, Myself and I” takes over, and folks pay no attention to doing what’s right. Our governments, from Federal down to local, aren’t always ethical, are they? Officials spout a lot of those big words you speak of, but that’s where it ends. Maybe this pandemic will take a lot of this attitude with it when it dies. One can only hope.
Wishing you good health my friend and the ability to continue to stay safe. We will get through this and come out on the other side.
🐾Ginger 🐾
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I agree with you Ginger but I think we are also seeing just how inventive and compassionate some people can be. That is the part I hope is retained.
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My family history can be summed up in the term “Ethical Sorcery”. But we became responsible, compassionate adults so there is that. 🙂
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You did make it! That’s a great thing.
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🙂
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I think I put my philosophy pills down right before I put my marbles down. Of course the marbles covered the philosophy pills. Now I can’t find either. Which reminds me of Young Frankenstein and ‘there wolf’.
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hahahah. Life is a challenge!
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Three cheers for silly.
Of course, the cynic in me wonders, “are they saying it was ethically sourced because that was the last point in the elaborate process of bringing coffee to my cup where ethics were involved”
You were not only ethically sourced, Pam, it appears you were ethically raised and delivered into the world.
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I thank you kind sir. hiccup! oops!
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🙂
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For the most part we are the growers, but some days I sure feel like the bean at the mercy of the ethics of those whose job it is to help me to live.
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Frightening isn’t it?
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Terrific essay, Pam. Now about those tea leaves. Deprived of moisture then packed together in pouches only to be dropped into boiling water. I can hear the screams from here.
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I just put on noise cancelling head phones and enjoy my cuppa! I’m evil!
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Hahahaha. Good one.
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Happy to say my coffee is ethically sourced!
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me too!
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