Always grateful when friends take time to meet up. Nothing like a good cup of coffee over a great conversation with good company. Agradecido (Grateful).
Interlude
#26 Coffee with John
From early this week. The takeaway: enjoy the spur- of the- moment. While visiting a family friend and doing errands on this particular day, Coffee with John just happened. Typically, I have to coordinate with people to meet up and separate a date for us to meet up for coffee. So it was nice that we just ran with the moment and the situation allowed for it.
#25 Coffee with John
I meant to post this last week but I am just running behind.
This session was particularly eventful for a variety of reasons. The main being that my friend surprised me with special Coffee with John mugs. See image below:
The image on the mug is that of my tattoo, a tattoo that I had conceived on my mind years, years ago but only got it done recently. I am not going to elaborate on the meaning as it is long but all I can say to you is that it has a lot of meaning for me.
Anyways, the takeaway, if I am remembering correctly what I had on my mind this particular morning meeting: learn from our friends.
My friend has always emphasized to me the power of asking for what you want. I am paraphrasing here but his motto is, “asking is free. If you get a no, so what!”
I am going to practice that more. Don’t be afraid. Ask for what you want.
#23 Coffee with John
The last day of 2018 I spent the afternoon with one of my favorite persons in the whole wide world: my sister. We even got the chance to do Coffee with John after she accompanied me to court to do some adulting stuff.
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The takeaway of the afternoon… actually, a few takeaways: 1) to my surprise, the courthouse is opened on the 31st of December; 2) Bonnie at the courthouse estate procedures in section in Charlotte, NC rocks- she was kind, helpful and knowledgeable; and 3) just treasure your time with your siblings.
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I am grateful to have a great relationship with each of my three siblings. Not everyone does but if you do, take the time away from everything and invite your sister or brother to an outing, just the two of you. And if you don’t have a good relationship, I hope you can mend those ties.
PS: Update 2021 – I actually miscounted. This would have been Coffee with John 24. I totally forgot to do the takeaway from Coffee with John #23
#22 Coffee with John
I am glad I went for my Coffee with John this morning. I had a great conversation with a passionate, intriguing, and energetic individual.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Next thing you know I was just crying, sharing in the pain of Mr. Wang’s family and feeling my own unrepairable sadness.
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I needed that cry. It felt cathartic.
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I guess the takeaway of this morning in its entirety: honor your emotions. Let them come as they come.
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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.
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#21 Coffee with John
Had another virtual coffee early this morning. This was my third or so and, as much as I have enjoyed them, there is this part of me that still resistant to the idea. Of course, once I have the virtual session, I can’t wait until the next.
The takeaway of today’s experience: listen and take the time to learn about other people. I have said that before but it’s worth repeating.
It’s fascinating to invest the time in others. The experience might humble and surprise you.
#20 Coffee with John
Always a pleasure to kick off the day early with a cup of coffee and in good company. The takeaway of today’s Coffee with John: laughter. Sometimes we just need to laugh at the absurdity of life situations.
The moment we are born, life throws this big cosmic joke on us: our own demise.
We take ourselves and our “accomplishment” way too serious, forgetting the joke. Life is much brighter if we have a sense of humor and don’t take ourselves too seriously.
The other takeaway: forge your own path, even if it means rebelling against all you know.
#18 Coffee with John
No picture from the last Coffee with John but what I do have is the takeaway, which is courage.
It takes courage to persevere and stand tall while the winds of life blow at you in all, unexpected directions.
It’s easy to fold to frustrations and emotions (as valid as they might be). It doesn’t mean that while you face situations all will go smoothly or as you planned. It probably won’t. All you can do is continue on your journey.
PS: If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one as well and want another perspective, I encourage you to read the following blog: https://stilliriseinnc.org/
#17 Coffee with John
Another ménage à trois. Sometimes coffee is just better with three people.
This was also another Converse Coffee with John meeting. That’s two in a row with different people.
I am telling you: all the cool kids wear Converse. They probably converse, too.
Today’s takeaway: perseverance.
Life throws obstacles, challenges and a myriad of things at us, and all we can do is march forward to turn the page. That might mean starting a whole new chapter in your life, one that’s only beginning to be written by you.
#15 Coffee with John
Getting up this morning under this rainy and cold weather was challenging to say the least. Only motive was that I had already committed to meeting for Coffee with John.
I tell you what though?
It was utterly, 100% worth it.
No amount of sleep could have made up for the wonderful time I had talking and getting to know better an individual that is just radiant and amazing on so many levels.
The takeaway: a good conversation is priceless, especially over a good cup of coffee.
Coffee With John 