Many years ago, when I was younger, I spent some time in Israel working at a hostel in Haifa, Israel. My friends, who ran the hostel, loved coffee as much as I did. In my first week at the hostel, the conversation fell on the subject of coffee. Upon hearing about my love for coffee, my friend suggested we get up early next Friday and go to a coffee shop in downtown Haifa for the best coffee in Israel. I agreed.
Friday came, and I rose early in order to arrive at the coffee shop as it opened. To my surprise, there were two coffee shops opening at the same time. Now, I had only been in the country for days so I did not understand the Hebrew language, even a little bit. My friend gladly agreed to provide commentary. As the two men opened their shops (their shops were side by side and the size of a closet), they began to get into a heated discussion. Each opened his awning and set up his side walk yelling at the other. The discussion started with a moderate tone, gradually building up steam and ending with screams and yells of what, I imagined, where not compliments. Then, when all was complete, both men went into their shops and opened for business.
We followed one of owners in and purchased two small cups of coffee. It was and still is the finest coffee I have ever had. That became my Friday routine while I was in Israel. As we were leaving that morning, I commented about how good the coffee was. My friend asked me if I knew the ingredient that made it so good. I thought for a moment and then, acknowledged that I did not. He said, with a smile, that it was the hate that made the coffee great. I think that was a humorous way to say that it was the competition that made it great.
I think we all need a little competition to motivate us to be great and to stay great. I believe it was one of the reasons this country has produced so many great inventions and ideas. Happy Thanksgiving Day + One!
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