After umpteen visits to Cuba, the country and its people continue to amaze me. Many will argue that Cuban perseverance, sense of community, and ingenuity are its biggest strengths, but I think Cuba’s approach to happiness is paramount and my greatest takeaway from Cuba. That is why I wanted to share this unforgettable conversation about a rooster.
On July 26, 2013, I had the opportunity to speak to Jose Fuster, a world-renowned Cuban artist at his home outside of Havana. Sitting beside him at the pool, I asked, “What’s the rooster all about? It appears in all of your work as if it’s your signature.”
As he dangled his feet in the water and enjoyed a Crystal beer, Fuster explained to me that he cherishes the sound of the gallo. When he hears the morning crowing of a rooster, he is blessed with yet another day.
When I heard his spin on what most would call a loud, shrilling cry of a rooster, I reflected on how truly right he is. Celebrating life each and every day and taking the time to #LookUp is something extremely crucial to a happy life that often times falls by the wayside in the time-pressed, daily grind.
This unforgettable conversation I had before I moved to Kauai, which you may know has an overpopulation of roosters. AND, I’m serious when I tell you, there are roosters everywhere on the Garden Isle: at Wal-mart, the beach, and even outside the RMV. So, when the neighborhood roosters (a.k.a. island alarm clocks) crow at 3 am, I remember to enjoy each cock-a-doodle-doo.
Have you had a serendipitous and unforgettable conversation on your adventures?
Share yours by commenting below!
Here’s to looking up and never hearing a cock-a-doodle-doo the same again!
