My rehearsal has finished on time. It’s 6:30 and my meeting is at 6:50.  If I get a cab right out my front door, which is likely, I will make it on time.

Rule #1 of the overly committed:  Always be on time. If you are not on time, your over commitments have taken control and you are no longer a superhero – just a bad planner.  Today’s schedule is pretty packed, but I am feeling confident and organized.

7am – 4pm: Work at café
4pm – 5pm: Prepare for rehearsal and change clothes
5pm – 6:30pm: Rehearsal
6:50pm – 7:30pm: Interview a new designer
8pm – 10pm: Opening night at festival

Rule #2: Accept your lot in life. Most situations I find myself in are ones of my own construct. I never “have” to do anything; I choose to do things. Maybe I feel obligated or I know they will “pay off” or it’s fun. Wallowing in the misery of agreeing to do too much isn’t going to get any of it done faster and I said, “yes” so I better get going.

Inside the cab I lean back and rest.  “It’s half over,” I think, “and working at opening night will be more fun than work, so this is the last tough thing.”

Rule # 3: Know the arc of your day. Each task within a day makes up a complete arc – moving from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. Even though working 9 hours at the café has its own beginning, middle and end—it’s not my entire day.  If I thought of 4pm as my day’s “end” the rest of the day I would be tired, unproductive and worst of all, skipping steps toward the next task.

Rule #4: Never skip steps. Growing up my dad always said, “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing right.” It’s easy to skip over the details and it may feel like I am getting the same results with or without them but, if we are talking about something I truly value, then there’s no cutting corners. All that does is cut myself short.

I arrive at the theatre on time. Brian is already here.  A fellow superhero of the overly committed, we chat and wait for the designer. By the end of the meeting, she is excited about the project.  Brian and I walk away 98% sure she is going to say yes. Rock on!

I hop in a cab, feeling pumped and ready to have fun at the festival.  Earlier I received an email about an opportunity to do research for a project. I am co-directing a show at the same time it is scheduled. Rule #5: Know when to say “No.” On paper I could do both projects. Agreeing to do something down the road that might conflict, will make my life difficult and throw the hard work I’m doing right now out the window.  It’s difficult to pass up opportunities, but I have to keep moving forward and know that if I stick to the rules, more good jobs will come.  I mean why wouldn’t they? I’m a superhero.

photo by eneas de troya

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Behind water, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide. Order a cup at just about any café — from a basic black tea with lemon or milk to a fruit-infused tisane — and you’ll find there is a brew to suit just about every taste. In addition to taste, several teas offer medicinal elements which can help soothe physical and mental stress. Some can even counteract the aging process and prevent diseases like cancer.

Here are just a handful of ancient and contemporary teas from the countless variety of tinctures currently available. Some stand alone and can be ordered or bought as described, while others are herbal teas and can be found in loose tea mixtures or added to traditional black or green tea.

Peppermint. Peppermint can be steeped and consumed on its own. The refreshing aroma promotes clear thinking and focus while soothing the digestive system — especially after a meal.

Ginger. Traded for over 4,000 years, this spice is known in many cultures as a preventative medicine against colds, flus and even hangovers.

Pu-erh Tea. This hand harvested tea is from the wild antique tree — some of which are hundreds of years old. It cleans the body of fat and toxins from meat and oily foods while promoting weight loss. It is often blended with ginger or peppermint to enhance the flavor.

Organic Dragonwell Tea. The most famous green tea in China is prized for its cooling and detoxifying powers.

Throat Tamer Tea. Found in many cafes under various names, this is a concoction of black tea combined with rich, sweet licorice root, slippery elm and wild cherry to calm inflammation in the throat and soothe soreness.

Keemun Mao Feng. Known as English Breakfast, this tea was one of the first to arise from the province Anhui in China after the process for making black tea was invented in the 19th century. Prior to that, Anhui only produced green tea. Like most black teas, it is believed to assist in lowering cholesterol and is good for the heart and arteries.

Chamomile. This flowery flavored tea has gained popularity for its potential to relax jittery nerves and help insomnia.

Rooibos. Pronounced “roy-boss” and originating from the mountains of South Africa, this all-natural tea has been recently touted as the next great natural health wonder. It is said to be anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging. Rooibos also is believed to contain the minerals copper and potassium as well as aid in the absorption of iron. Because it is 100% natural, some researchers insist it is safe for children to soothe colic and can even be added to breast milk.

The health benefits of all different tea types and their herbal counterparts are considered endless. So make time for tea each day and sip your way to a better body.

photo by kevin jaako

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Nestled in a residential neighborhood of Sherman Oaks, CA is the newest community gem. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, M Street Coffee is already teeming with a devoted clientele. Even in a reclining economy, business owner Andrea McClain confides that the New Year is already off to a great start.

So what’s the secret? How did a 31-year-old harp player from Indiana manage to get it so right? First and foremost, she’ll admit it’s a commitment to a quality product. Offering organic fare, they also feature an exclusive custom roast of organic Indonesian and South American Beans, roasted in the nearby North Hollywood neighborhood. Dedicated to making incredible coffee it’s not unusual to catch even a Starbucks employee grabbing a cup before they head off to work.

But it’s something almost intangible that permeates from this tiny corner location. There’s a real community blossoming in this sunny café as the manager behind the counter chats with every customer and McClain interrupts our interview to greet a regular.

It probably has to do with McClain spending her childhood in a small town of less than 20,000 people. Realizing that community and business are inseparable, she has defined her space as being more than just a profit-turner. Like your favorite transformer that you secretly stole from your brother, this café morphs into many identities. Part art gallery, concert venue, and town hall, there’s a little something for everyone. Plus McClain isn’t afraid to give back either, offering her space for fundraisers such as children’s organizations, animal shelters, and a Save Darfur Charity art sale.

And don’t be worried; she doesn’t leave out Mother Earth. Doing her best to keep the shop eco-friendly, McClain has a strong recycling program, not to mention biodegradable cups and recycled paper sleeves.

Despite being the sole owner of M Street Coffee and performing every duty personally, including website design, book keeping, coffee brewing, and coordinating all the community events, Andrea is quick to admit, “It really takes a good team.” It takes all her employees to truly embrace what could be overlooked as a ‘simple’ vision of “Be[ing] a bright spot in someone’s day and to serve a great cup of coffee.”

Andrea McClain offers hope that small businesses can survive even as mega-corporations come crashing down all around us. It takes more than fancy business degrees and stock portfolios. By remaining true to herself and focusing her energies on promoting the things she loves instead of just the bottom line, Andrea has created an atmosphere that is both welcoming and familiar. As I look around and every table is occupied, including the patio tables outside, I guess she’s proof that “If you build it, they will come.”

Check her out at www.mstreetcoffee.com

photos courtesy of andrea mcclain

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