I am glad I went for my Coffee with John this morning. I had a great conversation with a passionate, intriguing, and energetic individual.
Still, it took effort to get out. I just woke up with a dark cloud hanging over me without much desire to interact with anyone.
The meeting went well and I came back to get ready for the rest of the day, including preparing the family meal of the day. While I was at it, I happened to catch a story on NPR about an unlikely friendship: that of the basketball player, Charles Barkley, and a Chinese chemist/scientist in Muscatine, Iowa named, Lin Wang.
I was just listening to the story with interest but without any emotional attachment. That changed when the story mentioned that Mr. Lin Wang had passed.
The mention of palliative care and some other details of the story just brought a wave of emotions, hitting me instantly and entrapping me in a swirl of tears.
Next thing you know I was just crying, sharing in the pain of Mr. Wang’s family and feeling my own unrepairable sadness.
I needed that cry. It felt cathartic.
I guess the takeaway of this morning in its entirety: honor your emotions. Let them come as they come.
Also, human connections have no boundaries. Take the time to connect with people, even when it takes effort on your part. You never know what kind of friendships you will cultivate.
Coffee With John 