My Boss Is The Big Brother I've Never Had | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Friendships

My Boss is the Big Brother I’ve Never Had

An Ode to Justin Caña

253
Personal Image
Zoe Lerman

This past spring I was hired at what is now the best job I've ever had. I work at SunLife Organics, a juice, and smoothie bar that most people judge as bougie and overpriced. What most people don't understand, though, is that SunLife is more than a surface price tag. The reason our products are priced as they are is because of where we source ingredients from, proceeds we give back to different organizations that support human and environmental health, and the quality and benefits of the different supplements we use to help provide people with the most nutrient dense meals. Aside from that, our slogan Love, Heal, and Inspire is truly the heart and soul of the company, its food, and the people who work there, and I have been lucky enough to experience that firsthand.

Some of my best friends are my coworkers, and that was the last thing I expected when starting my job there. Each time I go in to work – or even just to loiter – I genuinely do feel loved, healed, and inspired by the people behind the counter. The happiness, authenticity, positivity, kindness, consideration, and warmth everyone exudes is contagious, and the amount of mutual care and respect we have for one another is priceless. I feel so lucky as to be able to call my coworkers my best friends. Sadly, though, one of those best friends, shall I even go so far as to say my "big brother" of sorts, is leaving at the end of the summer.

My boss, Justin Caña, is going up north to start a SunLife in Palo Alto. While that's lucky for them NorCal folks, it is so sad for our little SoCal Sunlife fam. Justin is legitimately the goofiest goober I have ever met, and I owe him so much for giving me the best job I've ever had and embracing me into the fam. So, in honor of his imminent departure (and because he asked me to write an article about him), I thought I'd list the top ten things I've learned from him.

1. Take Love, Heal, and Inspireseriously – do it for the people around you, do it for yourself, and do it by doing what you love and by doing what makes you happiest.

2. Laugh. Laugh at life, laugh at yourself, don't take things too seriously – find the amusement in everything you do because it will make it more fun.

3. Listen to Sunshine by Matisyahu to feel better.

4. "And pulse."

5. Ask yourself and others "What should I eat?" a thousand times before you decide for yourself.

6. Always go for spirulina.

7. Believe in yourself. (Thanks for telling me, "You got this, Zoë"…because I still think I don't l o l).

8. Be kind and understanding.

9. Dance it out.

10. "As long as you're happy, Zoë." – That statement applies to everyone, my friends.

Justin, you better be reading this article (if you're not, I hate you). Thanks for being the big brother I never had, for telling me my love life has hope, for opening a door to more love by more people than I thought was possible, and for loving, healing, and inspiring me. Palo Alto is lucky to have you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

135049
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31724
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

29020
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments