Coffee is to Life

That’s it. The magical elixir of my life. A necessity to begin my day.

That first bold mouthful is like streams of sunshine through my bedroom window, encouraging me to take a deep breath, stretch and get ready to fully experience whatever the day may bring. The satisfaction of a finished draft or the frustration of a stubborn character who refuses to do what I want. As I continue to sip, the rich liquid warms my body, providing a cushion for the chill of bare feet on a cold floor, much like the warmth of friends and family cushions me against cold rejections. I get dressed and a slightly bitter aftertaste reminds me to be aware of the tests and trials in the day ahead, while the smooth reflection of cream confirms that night usually finds me in the safe harbor of home. Before sitting down to write, I inhale the aroma filled with the knowledge that life is made up of moments to savor. As I work and sip, my coffee grows increasingly cooler. The winds of neglect cool most things: work, good intentions, tempers, and friendships. Soon, my cup is empty and the coffee, like most of life’s events, has become a fleeting memory.

Those who know me are aware that a cup of coffee signals the start of my day and a break from my work. I seldom drink coffee when I’m actually working, but when I’m plotting or thinking through an idea, coffee is an essential companion. On Monday mornings (the day I go grocery shopping), the kids ask if I remembered to put coffee on the list. I think they are motivated more from self-preservation than altruism as I can become a little cranky if I haven’t had my coffee.

I usually drink instant coffee rather than the ground variety. First, because I’m impatient and want my coffee when I want it, but there are other, more practical, considerations. In spite of my love affair with this bean-juice, I seldom drink more than three cups a day and no one else in the house drinks coffee.  Making an entire pot of coffee for just myself would be wasteful and I hate the wet, messy coffee-grinds. I used to have a big fancy coffee-maker. Except for holidays, I used it to heat the water and keep it hot. It broke a year ago and haven’t missed it. I do have a French press given to me by some dear friends a few years ago, but save it for special occasions — the draft is completed or a fellow coffee-lover is coming over for a long chat.

Another advantage to making instant coffee is that I can make each cup as strong as I want. As I get older, I notice the caffeine bothers me more, so I make the cups progressively weaker as the afternoon shadows lengthen across the kitchen floor. I can also drink my coffee in whatever flavor I choose. Around Christmas, I really enjoy the peppermint-flavored varieties. The mocha-flavored coffees are a standing favorite, as well. Sometimes, I’ll get adventurous and try a fruit flavor (although I’m staying away from the orange flavors). When I feel particularly indulgent, I’ll choose a flavor like Black Velvet Cognac .

The most important reason for choosing instant coffee for me is that it isn’t. Instant, I mean. It requires boiling at least a cup of water. For me, that’s just enough time to take a break from my writing and re-enter the world around me, if only for an instant.

Give Yourself a Time-Out

Life is full of possibilities. There are so many opportunities available that there is no time to consider them all, much less act on them. We are so busy with our current commitments, there is no time left to consider new opportunities and adventures.

We need a time-out. We need a break in our busy lives to review where we are, imagine the possibilities, and get back in touch with ourselves. Contrary to popular opinion, taking a break from constant activity is not a selfish indulgence. Giving ourselves time to exist with no agenda or goal to reach is necessary and can provide many benefits.

Experts have long known that taking a break is good for our health. The human body was not meant to be in constant motion; neither was the human mind. Giving ourselves a time-out provides a chance to stretch our bodies and our thoughts, decreasing stress and increasing creativity and productivity. When we give our conscious minds a rest, our subconscious often takes the opportunity to provide creative solutions to the challenges we are currently facing. Taking a time-out allows us to review where we are and celebrate our successes. Such small celebrations and acknowledgements provide the motivation and self-confidence necessary for future accomplishments.

Time-outs are particularly important during a time of personal crisis. During times of great stress, we are often tempted to work harder; however, a respite from the demands of life can provide the time to imagine what we want for the future and provide the room to change course, if necessary. We need the time to consider whether the objective we are striving for is the goal we wish to reach. Lives change. Taking time to consider how these changes impact us and what we want from our lives now gives us permission to change our minds and reconsider the goals of our youth in light of our experience.

Finally, taking a break provides a sense of freedom and control. When we take a time-out, we determine our priorities and which possibilities are worth spending our energy and time on. We are no longer running on an endless treadmill toward some unknown destination, but striving toward a goal which is important to us. We can appreciate the beauty of our surroundings and share them with those we care about. A time-out provides space to consider our choices before returning to the demands of our lives with a renewed vision and sense of purpose.