I sit at the corner of your desk in a ceramic mug with some witty scripture on it. Or maybe beside your laptop in a name-brand paper cup. Or perhaps, when you're running late in the morning, I'm in a thermos you pray you sealed all the way in your expensive bag full of even more expensive textbooks and technology. Regardless of where I am, I'm often with you.
You could say we're inseparable. You need me. I reluctantly accepted that I was the lifeblood of many human beings.
Besides "Lifeblood," I'm given many other nicknames. At first, I took to names like "The Nectar of the Gods"--names that flaunted my greatness and highlighted my best and tasteful qualities. But when names like "The Only Reason People Can Survive" arose, I worried.
I realized many worship me from dawn to dusk and even late into the dead of night. Is it unreasonable for me to think that many people cannot live without me? I don't think so, and I find that fact bothersome. Afterall, all I am is a simple cup of coffee. I find it troublesome how much of pedestal I'm placed on--how much people need me in order survive their daily lives.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate being helpful. I like being a pick-me-up for the day--a gentle nudge towards conquering the battles that await. I especially like the people who savor me in all of my different tastes, varieties, and combinations.
But I worry about those who require my assistance five times per day and in mass quantities and strong potencies. Those who do so also consider where they could sacrifice time--often cutting out the hours they should be using to rest for the next day. And I'm the tool that enables them to make such a drastic choice.
I would urge them to put down what they're doing and close their eyes for a few minutes--maybe an hour. But I know they won't listen to me because I lack a voice.
If I had a voice.... Oh, the things I would say.
To some struggling to make it through their day, I'd tell them I know they're doing their best. I would tell them they're allowed to take time off to spend time with friends, to play, or to relax. Afterall, those are some of the things that make life worth living.
I wish I could tell some people that they shouldn't fret so terribly over the stresses in their life; somehow, things will work themselves out.
To some individuals, I wish to say that Netflix and video games aren't a proper excuse to put off their work until the last minute. They wouldn't need to stay up so late if they worked ahead of time and on a consistent basis.
But most of all and to many, I wish to say this: I can hurt you more than you think. Please, make sure you get the proper amount of rest you need. You don't need me as much as you say you do.
