…compliments of Starbucks, that is.

Not once, but twice this month I’ve run across people sharing words of wisdom found on Starbucks paper cups. Blogger Jeff Hester passed on a quote about innovation and collaboration. And a few weeks ago, our Club’s Toastmasters President brought in a paper cup to read from for some inspiration.

This is a long cry from the days of drinking coffee out of white Styrofoam cups–back in the days when a cup was merely a container. Who would’ve thought that simple shape would evolve into an instrument of change? Because really, that which encourages our mind to move beyond the details of the present, to think outside ourselves, and encourages us into the sphere of community is, in fact, promoting change.

I personally only hit Starbucks when travelling, and I take in my own mug — no words of wisdom for me.

Which leads me to ponder how much more change could be made if more people traveled with their own mug. Starbucks’ Winter 2006 Social Responsibility Newsletter reports that

You know they’ve been growing by leaps and bounds so that number can only be higher now.

Take your own mug! Ask to be served with glass or ceramic! We can inspire them to more community minded practices. Then they can put the words of wisdom on the napkins :)