Two brothers owned an old time deli near the University of Pennsylvania. On weekends there was a block long line. People waited an hour to place their order.
Inside, it was a surprisingly small area. No more than 4 people could be at the counter at the same time. There was barely enough space for two people to pass each other.
When you walked in, you thought you were ordering the corned beef special. When you walked out, you knew that you had gotten more than a delicious sandwich. It was because of the Koch brothers, the owners of the place.
They were natural born improvisers.
They were playful, spontaneous, and full of laughter.
They had ongoing conversations with each customer peppered with anecdotes and jokes. First timers initially couldn’t figure out what was going on. Within minutes though, even the ‘non smilers’ were laughing.
The brothers exuded joy and a zest for living.
We loved observing them pile the thinly sliced corn beef on rye bread. It was like watching kids build a sand castle at the beach.
They created a community of laughter and spontaneity. When we were with them, we could let go and ‘live in the moment’. All worries vanished.
They inspired a lot of us. They made the world a better place to live. Some of us knew that their presence in our lives was magical.
The brothers were creative. By being who they were. Quietly.
Fran, thanks for your website. People like the brothers are an inspiration, especially for whom expressions of spontaneity are not the norm. We would all benefit from continuously stirring the spirit within!
Mary Ellen,
I love your phrase ‘stirring the spirit within’ …beautifully put.
I was at the deli on Thursday. While waiting in line, I saw an old black and white photo of the brothers. Next time I visit, I’ll make sure to bring my camera! Fran
I love stories like this. I can feel the good vibes just reading about the brothers. It’s amazing what we can accomplish by being ourselves and being happy in the process. That feel-good feeling is really contagious.
Thanks for sharing this Fran! Now I’m more inspired to follow in the steps of those wonderful brothers.
Paige…
The Koch brothers do embody being creative rather than aspiring to create something. Our culture places such a heavy emphasis on producing that we tend to forget how much positive energy individuals radiate..and how that positive energy significantly effects the world! 🙂 Fran