A Coffee Date // February 13
My lovely friend Erin is a gracious host of these monthly virtual coffee dates, and it's just my favorite thing to pretend like we're all chatting together over tasty drinks. Let's grab a hot mug of something yummy and swap stories, shall we?
If we were on a coffee date... I would gush about how great the weather was yesterday. I mean, come on, 80 degrees and sunny in the middle of February? YES PLEASE. And then a random rain shower and super moody sky that cooled things way down in the evening? That's like my dream combination of weather. I was the happiest human all day! How's the weather in your city? It's cliche to talk about, but it affects us, yeah?
If we were on a coffee date... I would confess how challenging it has been to read primarily books by authors of color this month. It's why I knew it was necessary to do -- in many ways, I've become too comfortable and stayed too safe. It's easier to read books telling stories that I relate to, that are similar to the life I've lived, but so much harder to climb out of my skin and step into these stories that challenge me, stretch me, break me, and open my eyes. I'm grateful for each page I've read, and for the opportunity to push myself beyond what is just easy. I've become more aware of my own privilege and my own prejudices, and also of the ways I've unknowingly hurt others or not been sensitive toward others. Man, that will wreck you. I want to continue to grow in my empathy, my understanding, and my awareness, and this is just a small step toward those goals. How are you challenging your comfort zones and shattering your safety nets?
If we were on a coffee date... I'd tell you again that I'm all about buying yourself flowers. (At least, I think I've told you this before, but if not, there it is.) Trader Joe's is the best -- $3 for a new bunch of eucalyptus to hang by my bedside (the scent! heavenly!), $3 for a big bunch of the prettiest alstroemeria blooms, and even less for potted tulips and hyacinth? Yes. Thank you. How do you treat yourself to little joys?
If we were on a coffee date... I'd tell you I'm learning a lot about bravery and independence and showing up. There have been three big events in 2017 so far that sounded so cool to me, but I couldn't find friends or family interested or free to join me. So, I went anyway. By myself. And it was intimidating at first, and it was scary to walk through the doors, but each time, I was SO GLAD I did. I met really awesome people at each event and now have new friends and connections I wouldn't have had before, and the events themselves were wonderful and things I totally would have regretted missing. If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of going to things alone, I encourage you to just try it! I was surprised at how many other people I realized had come by themselves too, and I realized even if I never saw any of them again, we had to come together around a shared interest and could find common ground for a few minutes of conversation around that if nothing else! #worthit. When was the last time you did something on your own? How did it go?
If we were on a coffee date... I'd brag a little about some wins in my life. Because here's what you need to know about me: consistency is not my strong suit. Never has been. I spent all of 2016 trying to focus on rhythms, because God knows how bad I am at keeping them steady. So the fact that it has been 43 days of 2017 so far and I have read my Bible's one year reading plan passages EVERY DAY and also taken my vitamins/supplements EVERY DAY and not snoozed my alarm ONCE and also been so much better about 10 flights of stairs a day + 100 ounces of water a day + meeting my FitBit step/distance goals at least 4 days a week (progress, okay) is just A REALLY BIG WIN. So yes, I'm bragging, but maybe it's better to call it celebrating the victories? I think they're worth it, and affirmation works wonders in keeping myself motivation, so I'm giving myself a hearty pat on the back today. What wins are you celebrating?
If we were on a coffee date... I would tell you these things are always a good idea: tacos. margaritas. moving your body (even when it's hard, like 10k training when you haven't run in 7 years and your knee is a crunchy mess). reading books whenever you can. celebrating your people. doodling with juicy pens. more tacos. What are your go-to favorite things?
