The Turquoise sky melts with an orange grace of the mighty sun as it dives in the Prussian Arabian Sea. Dressing up the beach for a perfect sundowner. The backdrop is alive for the happy James’s Beach Café at Cavelossim, Goa to prep up for another lively evening. Guests trickle in, clicking selfies with the grand front façade, young dexterous staff manoeuvre to organise tables and musicians of the live band check sound and other technicalities. Meanwhile, a very non assuming, tough on the outside man guides them to their preferred tables, offers food choices, instructs the staff, talks to the band members, arranges extra chairs, keeps a hawk’s eye on every table, the entire evening till the last man leaves.

James, the young entrepreneur, as you would have guessed by the name, wearing a black tee, blends with the staff with childlike enthusiasm. Talk to him about the purpose behind the restaurant, his eyes twinkle, “I love to see people enjoying the authentic food and live music. I want to give an unmatched experience”

The live band is adroit in captivating the clients and James makes sure they play for all ears; English, Hindi, Punjabi, Goan with old and new songs. His objective is to give a grandiose platform to the musicians for them to showcase the untapped reservoir of local talent. The stage with the lights and high-end acoustic is the evidence of the passion behind his eclectic taste in music. James loves to sing which also makes him a mindful selector of talent.  

He gets disappointed when the patrons display urgency despite being on a holiday, he says, “People want everything instantly, they want food as fast as possible, then they eat it quickly. I want people to relax, enjoy the music and saviour the food”. This thinking also goes back to the way the food is cooked. He reveals that the Goan dishes at his restaurant have secret ingredients in the spices, personally grounded by his mother. Even the head chef does not know the ingredients of the spice mix.

What brings his spirit down? On rare occasions he has to turn down a guest or two because of high demand at peak season, he feels bad to return someone hungry. Also, when he sees people on the table but their heads buried in the gadgets, food and conversations getting cold. His recommends travellers to give the local food a chance, take time out for long conversations and dance like no one cares.

What makes his day? When he sees Goan curries with rice being relished with hands.

How do you entertain people day-in and day-out? When your purpose in life is to do what you feel passionate about then it doesn’t seem like a job. Everyday is a new day, as James says “Life is for living to the fullest”.  

James doesn’t leave it at this, his reason to live life goes beyond his restaurant. Community work is very close to his heart. Being associated with the panchayat he makes it a point to resolve grievances of the locals. That’s the legacy he wants to leave for his children and that’s why the family celebrates birthdays with under-privileged children by donating food and clothes. 

When you do what you are passionate about and unintentionally a higher meaning is added, it consequently turns into a purpose. When you relentlessly breathe it, in and out it, that’s when life becomes a never-ending party. Money, fame and growth become by- product of living your life for what you love.

From the energy perspective, when you align with your true love or passion, the heart chakra gets activated. As we combine ‘Goodwill and will to do good’ to this purpose the crown chakra also gets activated, combining compassion and joy. The energy points around the earth open doorways of certain frequencies to stream forth the required vibrations to manifest these goals. On the contrary, doubt and fear act as barriers and eventually weaken the spirit.

While you are preparing to hit the sack thinking you have a burdensome, stressful and a busy next day, James is getting dressed to host complete strangers like family which he did the day before and before that and so on with unflinching zest and enthusiasm.

This life is a physical form gifted to express ourselves through love and compassion. It takes less effort to live it like a never-ending celebration of being alive.

The light of life is calling. Where are you?