Back in 2005, I gave up coffee for a month — and that has endured for almost three years now. (My old blog records tell me that it was on May 28, 2005 that I recorded that momentous occasion.)  I’ve had sporadic instances here and there when I have had coffee, whether on road trips or with friends who were having “fine” authentic imported coffee.  But other than those sporadic instances, I do not buy coffee or drink coffee anymore.

(FYI: I don’t consider espresso drinks “coffee”; I do still drink and love espresso drinks like lattes and macchiatos!  When most people say “coffee”, they mean brewed coffee.  Espresso ain’t brewed coffee!)

In those days, back in the middle of this decade, I thought that my coffee consumption was excessive and thus detrimental to my health. It still is, since coffee has not changed; my caffeine alternative these days — energy drinks — are no better for my health wise then coffee itself.  I made a change in the past that has changed my life forevermore, and I don’t regret making it.  I cannot agree more with the age-old saying, “What doesn’t kill ya only makes you stronger.”

I am alive and well today because I stopped drinking coffee in days past. I have contemplated starting up drinking coffee again, not because I need to or really really want to, but because on those special occasions in life, it would be nice to have — and there are many such special occasions in life!  My life is pretty simple, and I never really drink or eat anything outside of the box, so to speak. But I do think I am open to trying new things :-)  If it means stepping out of my comfort zone to try something new in the pleasure of good company, I am certainly — definitely — up for that!

I’m up for getting back on coffee.

Not just any coffee — good coffee, the best coffee that I can possibly find, that God can possibly make! The expensive stuff, the valuable stuff, the treasured kind that is worthy of my hard-earned money and precious taste buds. The kind that you need to search far and wide to find just the right — perfect — bean.

I’m looking for that kind of coffee.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens.
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…

**I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’,
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’.

Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider.
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…**

Time is a wheel in constant motion, always rolling us along.
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
and wonder where those years have gone.

Leann Womack - I Hope You Dance