2025 was a year full of ups and downs. If I learned anything this year, it was this: order the damn coffee.

Life is short. As we age, our perception of time starts to change. Time begins to feel like it’s accelerating—moving faster and faster. Order the coffee.

When time starts to feel like it’s slipping away, it’s a reminder that money is simply a tool used to enhance our happiness. Order the coffee.

Money means nothing without context. Cash is nothing but a means to transact—a way to trade time for things or experiences. Order the coffee.

I’ve spent 12 years saving dollars and cents. I haven’t taken the time to order a coffee for myself. I’m not getting younger, so it’s time to order the coffee.

Twelve years of saving, investing, and passing on experiences and memories. At the same time, I’ve always made more money. Buy the coffee.

We don’t regret our daily coffee. We don’t regret the time spent making memories and taking risks. We regret inaction. Buy the coffee.

I can replace every dollar I’ve ever made. I can earn more. I can trade time for dollars. But I can’t buy more time. We can’t go back. Buy the coffee.

Now, do I literally mean “buy the coffee” or “order the coffee”? No. I mean that we should aim to fill our lives with meaning—whatever gives our lives meaning.

Life, in and of itself, is absurd. Humanity has been searching for meaning, always left wondering why we’re here. Really—why are we here?

I don’t know the answer to that question. But what I do know is that if we enjoy the little things in life—if we order the coffee—that’s at least a start.

The little moments we can enjoy daily—the walks we take, the drinks we consume, and the moments we share—they keep us grounded. Buy the coffee.

Don’t give in to the idea that life is meaningless. Life is literally what we make of it. If a sip of coffee gets you by, drink the damn coffee.

Those little moments of happiness that you can create for yourself are the reason you’re here. It’s that simple.

When confronted with feelings of loneliness or sadness, take a step back. Look at your life. Work for yourself. Enjoy the coffee.

With love,
Michael

P.S. The world needs more kindness, more care. Look out for one another. Be someone’s friend, and share a coffee with them.

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