The $50 Tequila Shot That Changed Everything with Grateful Soul 10 - James

Have you ever had a moment that looked small on the outside—but quietly changed everything inside?

We have.

And for us, it happened at Bar St. Lo—a cozy little restaurant in Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. It was one of those spontaneous evenings: no expectations, no special plans. Just us, the city, and a decision to be open. That night, a man named James became more than a server. He became a mirror. And a $50 tequila shot became something sacred.

“Winning isn’t about being first. It’s about being better than you were.”

It’s something Sackeria once said during one of our deep conversations, and it stuck with us. Not because it sounded nice, but because it felt true.

So much of life can become a race—trying to arrive somewhere, prove something, earn something. But what if the real goal is simply to become a little more of ourselves each day? To look back at who we were a moment ago, and see love growing?

That’s what this night was about. Not tequila. Not food. But the quiet decision to live in presence. And in doing so, to become more whole.

When James suggested the tequila—$40 a shot—we paused. Not because we couldn’t afford it. But because old stories still sometimes whisper: Is it worth it? Should we?

But then we remembered all the things we had said yes to in the past. Liquids and powders and other things we once used to fill the void. Numbing the pain. Buying time. Chasing escape.

Compared to that, this wasn’t just a drink—it was an invitation.

So we said yes.

And then James came back with a smile and said, “Actually… it’s $50.”

We laughed. Of course it is.

It wasn’t about the extra $10. It was like God was saying, You say you trust Me? Okay, show Me.

So we did.

Before we left, we gave James one of our Discovered Souls cards. It simply says:

Thank you for being a grateful soul.

And he was.

But here’s the beautiful thing—James didn’t suddenly become a grateful soul in that moment. He already was. The difference was we noticed.

We were present enough to see him.

And that’s the whole heartbeat of gratitude. Not that life gets better. But that we do. We slow down. We breathe deeper. We listen closer. And suddenly, the world becomes holy again.

Before you go, we want to offer something simple but powerful: a moment of stillness.

So we want to ask you:

When was the last time you truly noticed your own grateful soul—or the soul of someone standing right in front of you?

Maybe it was the barista who remembered your name. The friend who called you without knowing you needed it. The stranger who smiled at the perfect moment.

Or maybe… it was you.

You, taking a deep breath instead of reacting.

You, choosing hope instead of fear.

You, trusting that even the small things matter.

Because they do.

We joke a lot—about who got the most benefit out of the “friends with benefits” phase (spoiler: it was mutual). About Alex’s memory lapses mid-sentence. About $50 shots that turn into lifelong metaphors.

But underneath the laughter is a deep, grounded truth:

Presence is everything.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about being here.

Because here, we meet God.

Here, we see ourselves.

Here, we find joy—not by chasing it, but by remembering it’s never left.

The next time you’re at a grocery store and the cashier says, “That’ll be $55.55,” don’t miss the moment.

When your coworker says, “How are you?” and you almost say, “Good”—pause.

When your kids are wild or your partner’s quiet or you feel a little off—breathe.

Not to fix anything.

But to see.

That moment might be your James. That breath might be your blessing.

We like to end everything we share with a simple invitation: a moment of stillness.

No expectations. No right way to do it.

Just one breath.

Right here.

Right now.

With us.

Because gratitude isn’t something we do—it’s something we remember.

It lives in us.

And in that breath, it returns.

So… when was the last time you slowed down enough to really feel your aliveness?

To taste your own enough-ness?

To see the love all around you?

We’d love to hear your story.

Celebrate your James.

Celebrate your Self.

Let’s keep seeing each other—one soul at a time.

With love and gratitude,

Alex and Sackeria Dezan

DiscoveredSouls.com

Sharing Gratitude Worldwide

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