Ole Pappy

This week’s contemplation was, “Why do we drink coffee at work every day?”

Perhaps the main reason is, “Addiction.” Actually, we humans probably should not be drinking the stuff in the first place.

Coffee actually has a bitter taste and most people don’t like that. Yet, most of us do it every day, several times.

Afterall, coffee can come in many tastes, many degrees from weak to strong. Yet, when we go on “coffee break” or join “the boys” or “the girls” for coffee, we drink it regardless of who made it and how weak or strong it is.

So we drink this stuff no matter how it tastes? Guess that’s why people pour sugar and milk into the cup before they drink it.

For many, the beverage ends up being 20 percent milk, 20 percent sugar and 60 percent coffee. The “withdrawal” from the beverage can be real.

Once I swore off coffee, for several years and after getting off, didn’t miss it much. Then I came to Minneota and “coffee time” was an acceptable and standard procedure. So I started back up again.

Now, it goes down when I come to work, continues most of the morning and usually is used at a “coffee break” or two. So here’s the “reasons” we drink it at all. •Kickoff your day.

Yet, studies show the best time to drink coffee isn’t even when you first get up.

•No hangover. Yes, coffee can give you a “buzz,” and make you feel energized, but it won’t throw you into a hangover the next morning.

•Tradition. You see, we get up and grab our morning newspaper, a cup of coffee and enjoy both.

Well, that’s the way it used to work. Today, the younger generation turns on their computer, scans two or three daily newspapers on the website and all the while “chugging” a can of “Mountain Dew.”

•Anytime drink. Folks may say they love coffee in the morning, but actually, it has powers over us all day long.

•Gets us feeling good and ready to go.

Maybe, but the fact is, coffee is a mood-altering drug. It’s a good source of caffeine, which is why most people drink it — because it, “gives us a boost.” I’m told coffee is good for diabetics. If that’s so, I wonder why we have so many diabetics.

•Cup of happiness. It’s a warm stimulant that we think improves our mood. But then, they say “drugs” do the same thing.

So why is it when we want to get away from work for a few minutes we always say, “I’m going on a coffee break?” Why not, “A sandwich break?” or a “donut break” or a “soda break.” No matter what we intend to consume, we call it, “A coffee break.”

Now, in case I’ve painted a “negative” picture of coffee, let me give you 10 reasons you should drink coffee.

1. Coffee’s a potent source of healthful antioxidants.

2. Caffeine provides a short-term memory boost.

3. Coffee may help protect against cognitive decline.

4. Coffee is healthy for your heart.

5. Coffee may help curb certain cancers.

6. It helps lessen risk of Type 2 diabetes.

7. Your liver loves coffee. 8. Coffee can enhance exercising. 9. Coffee curbs depression. 10. Coffee guards against gout. There you have it!!

LAUGH A LITTLE: Getting billed! A doctor and a lawyer are talking at a party. Their conversation is constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice. After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asks the lawyer, “What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you’re out of the office?” “I give it to them,” replies the lawyer, “and then I send them a bill.” The doctor is shocked, but agrees to give it a try. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepares the bills. When he goes to place them in his mailbox, he finds a bill — from the lawyer!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Nothing outside of you can affect you. Nothing outside of you can make you feel sad, angry, weak or disheartened — without your permission.” Ole Pappy was pretty convinced we had control of our own destiny. Thanks Ole Pappy!