Boy-oh-boy! How is it that a man who enjoys writing, and finds it to be cathartic, can go for so long without creating a blog post? The best answer I can surmise is, “Life!” I don’t know about you, but I am easily distracted by the inconsequential things that I create, and that others “force” upon me. All that to say this: I hope you’re still out there and that you enjoy this post!

Let me begin by giving you a brief update on me. It seems like forever since we’ve “talked,” my friends. Clearly, since I control the password to this website, I am still alive. 😃 And even better, I am well. If you have been with me since the beginning of this blog, you know that part of my purpose here has been to share my story…even the “dark” parts of my journey through grief, anxiety, and depression. While my journey out of the darkness has been bumpy at times, I am currently doing very well.

To be completely vulnerable–as to normalize issues of mental health–I still take a low dose antidepressant/antianxiety med. I have also kept up with seeing my therapist on occasion, and I continue to speak to my coach. These, among other things, have kept me grounded; even in the midst of continued life stressors and difficulties.

One of the “other things” that keeps me sane, and, quite frankly, enriches my life altogether, is sharing life over a cup (or four) of coffee. Seriously, these are some of the most cherished moments for me. Yes, I realize that my use of the words “enriches” and “cherished” can make my statements seem cliche or melodramatic. But stay with me for a moment and allow me to elaborate.

My buddy responded to a Facebook post about this topic with the statement: “Coffee is the elixir to life and good relationships.” (Talk about melodramatic! LOL!) Yet amidst the melodrama, this is so true. But even though I love coffee, this post has nothing to do with the beverage. You could easily replace the coffee with hot chocolate, tea, water, or a nice craft beer. For me, (and what I would like to focus on in this narrative) it’s the relationships.

Yesterday (and over the past week, for that matter) was a great day for me regarding relationship building over coffee. I spoke to a newer friend about life stresses, about our shared faith in God, and our quest for peace in the madness of life. I spoke with a family member about many things and was simply able to reconnect. I spoke with an older friend (a friend for many years…not that this friend is old) about the losses we have had in recent years, about our family relationships, and about the faithfulness of God in the darkness. I also have had recent opportunities to speak with acquaintances about mental health, and faith, and relationships, and the simple ups and downs of life. Yes, I have thoroughly cherished these enriching conversations!

Coffee was indeed the “elixir” common to each of these conversations. But look at the depth of topics discussed. It is in this depth, in this sharing of humanity, that the true elixir of life is found. (Wow! How poetic was that?!)

Seriously. We live in a time where we display our best selves on our social media pages. This isn’t necessarily bad. I equate it to one dressing his best for a wedding. We all want to share the best version of ourselves with the world around us. Again, this isn’t necessarily bad, but it doesn’t allow for the opportunity to be real and connect with others on a more personal level. That’s why my conversations over coffee are so meaningful to me. Because in my experience, it is through vulnerability and sharing our not-so-best selves that we begin to understand that the dark times are a natural, shared, and necessary part of our individual and shared humanity.

So grab a friend. Go get a cup of coffee. Talk about life…real life. It is in these moments where healing exists. (And the caffeine buzz ain’t so bad, either! Haha!)

Thanks for being patient when my blog goes “silent” at times! Please comment below to start a conversation, or feel free to contact me privately.

Be well…

P.S. If you have a story to tell and would like to join Jim Ladiski Writes as a guest blogger, please contact me!