Coffee brings people together. It's a way of life. No matter age, demographics, traditions or languages, almost everyone can appreciate a good cup of coffee.
I hated coffee when I was younger. Its bitter, earthy flavor reminded me of soil. When I went to college, my feelings toward coffee became irrelevant - I found myself desperately needing it, albiet, mostly creamer with a tinge of espresso.
I'm happy to report that my love for coffee has grown significantly. While I still won’t drink it black, I’ll drink it dark…er than I used to. I like a healthy medium brown.
But it's not just the taste I've grown to enjoy, I love what coffee represents.
Coffee brings people together. It's a way of life. No matter age, demographics, traditions or languages, almost everyone can appreciate a good cup of coffee.
No shade Folgers, but only the good stuff here.
Unfortunately, we rarely apply this approach to other areas of our life. What was once a terrible drink choice has now become my favorite sip, but it took time and commitment – qualities we under value.
It's uncomfy trying new things. It can take a long time to assimilate. And much of our distaste for difference is linked to our issues of control.
Still, the growing pains of change usually leave us better off than we were before.
What if we approached life the way we approach coffee? Imagine a Hindu and a Muslim sitting down at the same table, or a white man sharing a conversation with a transgender woman. At first, it might feel jarring — like the abruptness of that first sip of coffee. But if we took a moment to sit with the experience, we might discover, as the initial shock fades, that it’s far more enjoyable than we expected. With a few more sips, we could even grow addicted to its subtle bitterness, finding beauty in what once felt unfamiliar.
Similar to my sweetened coffee, a well-rounded perspective blends from a few different places. I may never be a black coffee drinker, but I've gained a new appreciation for coffee as a whole - and I can see why some people prefer it that way. There are non-negotiables in life, and those are important too. But most things aren’t. So for the things that aren’t, learn how to sip slowly.
