There’s drinking coffee, and there’s drinking coffee at Bob Marley’s house. You may be thinking, did Bob Marley drink coffee?
Or you may be thinking who is Bob Marley?
An Opportunity
Coffee is something many of us drink every day. But it’s not every day we get to drink it where Bob sat, ate, drank and created music that enabled him to become a legend. Arguably, he’s the best reggae artist there has ever been.
Bob Marley wrote a boatload of hit songs at this place including Lively Up Yourself and Revolution. 56 Hope Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica was the place.
Magic Moment
So imagine my joy to be sitting where Bob sat, sipping Marley coffee. The coffee was flavorsome, refreshing, but wait. On this day it wasn’t necessarily about the coffee. It was the ambiance. For me, it was a magic moment – my creativity and imagination got to fire up when I sat there with that cup of coffee.
Just stop for a moment and think about the best coffee experience that you’ve had. Go on; you can even close your eyes and picture it now.
Who were you with?
Where were you?
What sounds can you remember?
How did you feel at that moment?
Just breathe it in
That’s what it was like for me when drinking Marley’s coffee at Bob’s house.
Imagine you were there with me, sitting outside in the sunshine under the shade of the beautiful almond tree and you can hear and feel the rhythm of a smooth reggae beat ‘chipping’ away in the background.
Curiosity
And you know what, if I sat opposite Bob Marley himself and asked him a few questions, here’s how it would have gone…
Donovan: Bob, what is an interesting philosophy that you have learned in life?
Answer: “Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living.” ~ Bob Marley
Donovan: You always seem to have a positive outlook in life, don’t you get weak moments like the rest of us? What’s your secret?
Answer: “You not supposed to feel down over whatever happen to you. I mean, you’re supposed to use whatever happen to you as some type of upper, not a downer.” ~ Bob Marley
Donovan: Bob, people often speak about ‘the measure of a man’ when describing the good we do in life, how would you gauge the value of a man?
Answer: “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” ~ Bob Marley
Donovan: What’s the most important thing you would advise to our young millennial generation who will be the leaders of tomorrow?
Answer: “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver or gold.” ~ Bob Marley
Donovan: A lot of people are facing tough times despite so much wealth in the world,
Answer: “Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live.” ~ Bob Marley
Donovan: If you could wave a magic wand and a miracle would occur, what would you choose to resolve?
Answer: “Me only have one ambition, y’know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together – black, white, Chinese, everyone – that’s all.” ~ Bob Marley
In the mood
You know what I discovered? The best coffee moments are not necessarily about the coffee. These moments are about being in the right mood, in the right place, and with the right people.
When you sit for a coffee, rather than see it as a routine everyday occurrence, why not make it something special.
Should you go to Bob’s House?
You can have a magic coffee moment wherever you are in the world. However, I highly recommend the Bob Marley museum tour if you are visiting Jamaica and like to experience a Marley moment. The tour itself only takes 75 minutes, but the coffee moment will last you a lifetime.
Check out the Bob Marley museum website for prices, schedule, and other interesting info. If you can’t get to Jamaica but would like to have a coffee moment with Marley, get one of these aromatic, rain-forest Alliance certified, ethically farmed and artisan roasted Marley Coffee.
Article and photos by Donovan Grant.
Donovan Grant is an IT Consultant in the Card payments industry turned freelance corporate coach and copywriter. He lives in London, England. His hobbies include public speaking, road cycling, working out, golf, reading, and mentoring young people to achieve their best. He also enjoys having fun with family and friends. Find Donovan at www.donovangrant.com.
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