“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” ~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
I was talking to a friend on the phone yesterday. She’s like so many of my friends right now. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. A busy working mum. And on top of that all the usual life dramas.
We were nearly at the end of our conversation and I heard it.
The catch in her breath.
The sound of silent tears falling.
It came out of me in a rush. ‘Let’s meet for coffee tomorrow,’ I said impulsively. ‘Sounds like you could really use a friend right now.’
Talking on the phone is a marvelous way to stay connected. So is email, or texting.
But nothing beats a good old-fashioned catch up. With hugs. With eye contact. With the chance to truly connect face to face. Things can get said, heard, supported and sorted face-to-face in a way that they never can via distance.
Meeting for a cup of coffee (or a walk round the park, or a glass of wine, or a green smoothie or whatever else is your thing) is a vital part of not just maintaining a friendship, but of maintaining our lives and emotional well-being.
If you’re feeling strong and in a good place right now, maybe you could reach out to someone you know is struggling a little and offer to meet them for coffee.
If you’re the one feeling lonely, isolated and like you’re drowning rather than swimming (even if you’re doing it with a stoic smile on your face as many of us do!) why don’t you ask to meet a friend for coffee.
Let’s make an effort and get together.
Because when we do, the love and care that flows has an amazing power to help and heal. And we all benefit from that magic.
Thinking of you today and sending so much love, Nicole xx
Well said! Catching up and listening is soo important, and an art that seems to be lost in our fast paced technology savvy world. When did being busy become so important? Just spent a couple of hours with a friend who needs a friend, and it’s important to reach out, often!
I love both the wisdom and the love in your post Nicole. Coffee is the perfect way to gentle support and be supported. The healing power in a hug is beyond measure and althought email/phone are great they are not the same as physically holding someone who has a heart that hurts. Love your blog 🙂 enjoy your week x
I have been in and out of hospital since Dec 19th and Cauldrons and Cupcakes has helped me through. Your mediations are fantastic, your blogs are sensational. Thank you Nicole for just being you.
Wishing you bright and sunny days ahead. 🌷🌻🌹🍀🐸
coffee is always my thing! I honestly just love your message! I couldn’t agree more – sometimes its just a good excuse to even get out and take a short breather and connect with a friend. I always find I return, stronger and ready to tackle the problem. I hope all is well with your friend, it sounds like you have a beautiful friendship. I love the Jane Austen quote and in the morning I’m going to invite some of my friends out for coffee. Such a powerful message!! Love this!! I’m tweeting it too! Spread joy everyone!! 🙂
face to face…good idea…we are loseing that little treasure!
Thank you Nicole…such a beautiful post. I have just arrived back to my house (to get ready for my working day)…my very dirty pulled apart house…it will be wonderful when it is finished, but, oh dear, it just is awful. I am overwhelmed, not only by the mess, the dirt of renovating and the time it is taking, but by the mammoth task ahead to clean and restore my sanctuary to me! I’m not sure that many understand the enormity of this process for me…it has uptipped me, tossed my organised self out of the door, replacing all of that with this person I am trying to get to know…some of that is fun, lots of it is not. Asking for help is something I do not often do…your post today showed me the value of that, so I thank you.
Every day when I read your post I Thank You. Much love Marguerite xx
Love this post – it is so true – thanks for expressing it in such a special way and giving me that gentle reminder. Enjoy your coffee.
Agree wholeheartedly. Most definitely makes a difference. Enjoy your weekend xxxx