Is There Life Beyond Caffeine?

Have you ever been in a relationship that has become unhealthy? One in which you struggle to find the difference between an intimare connection and an addiction?

Your relationship is exciting and attractive; it motivates you to live life more fully, and even keeps you up at night.You find it challenging to get up and get going in the morning with spending some time together; you spend a lot of time thinking about new ways to explore your connection. You may become so caught up that it is nearly impossible to imagine life without this particular relationship.

My appreciation for caffeine in one of the longest, strongest relationships I have ever had.  I love caffeine, and I think I always will.

There is nothing quite like that first cup of coffee in the morning. I love the smell of coffee, and the way it feels to sit drinking coffe with someone for the first time. I tried endless variations and combinations to find the drink that was perfect for me.

Part of the attraction for me is the example of my father. I can remember him getting up each morning, filling his two-cup percolator coffee pot with water and ground coffee, and putting it on a burner on the stovetop. He would let it percolate while he got ready for work and have a cup before he left for work.  When he returned from work at the end of the day, he would turn the burner back on, reheat and repercolate the coffee that had been sitting there all day, and drink the second cup. I can only imagine the taste of that second cup.

A few months ago, I decided to set some boundaries in our relationship.  It was challenging, emotionally and physically. I survived the headaches and the general feeling of fatigue. I still have a cup of tea each morning, but I have not had caffeinated coffee since I made the change. I am a decaf person now.

I feel better in general. Sometimes I really miss the jolt of caffeine rushing through my system, but not enough to go back.

Is there anything you would like to set aside to become more healthy?

[Image by zoonabar]