Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Some hints from the universe are a little more subtle than others

Aug 20, 2024

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Yesterday, I had to reset my automatic coffee maker — again.

It’s not an overly sophisticated machine — just your basic, non-fancy model. But it does the job every morning and provides me with the right jolt of energy to get my brain and body moving.

This particular model was designed with a few extra options.

Some of the features include a digital clock display, brew strength selection, and delay timer for those days when I want to wake up to a full pot of coffee — which happens to be every day.

Sometimes the need to reset the controls and settings of my coffee maker is a choice — like yesterday. The water reservoir needed cleaning, and the only way to do an effective job was to unplug the dang thing and bring it to the sink where I could attack it with a bottle of vinegar and sponge.

Unfortunately, disconnecting the electrical plug meant all my settings were wiped out — gone in a tug of the cord.

After thoroughly scrubbing the interior, filter basket, and glass carafe, I plugged it back in and ran it twice using only water — no filter or grounds — for a final cleanse.

But there was still the issue of having to reset, well, everything.

The clock, delay timer, and brew selection had defaulted to the original out-of-the-box settings.

In other words, blinking screens. After a quick review of the instruction manual, I was back in business and ready for that next first-blast-in-the-morning cup of java.

While a minor inconvenience, my decision to intervene with the machine’s regular performance with a little clean-up was at my discretion — and schedule. I could have waited until tomorrow or next week, or left the chore for someone else — which is code for “it will never get done.”

And then there are other times when the need to reset the controls comes as a surprise — typically caused by a power outage from a lightning storm. Those instances tend to be abrupt, unplanned — and unexpected. And if I want freshly brewed coffee at a pre-selected time, my full and immediate attention is required. Because not only does the coffee maker quit working, it sends me signals in the form of blinking lights and an audible warning buzz.

I know I’m rambling on about what may seem like a petty nuisance.

But I’ve realized my experience with the coffee maker presents an uncanny resemblance to daily life. The need — or opportunity — to reset our direction, purpose, or goals often appears in a similar manner.

When our awareness level tells us something needs work or attention or improvement, we understand it will take personal effort and motivation to take corrective measures and realign our focus. And if we’re willing to take the hint, the result usually improves the immediate situation or, if we’re really lucky, our over-all outlook on life.

Many times, the difference in how and when we take action is based on whether we make changes and adjustments by choice.

For example, are we intentionally altering some aspect of our lives to make it better, or are we responding — making decisions — by reacting to uninvited circumstances. How we handle either situation determines whether we’re in control of our destiny or being led there by random incidents and events.

For the moment, I’m going to bed tonight secure in the knowledge there will be a full pot of dark roast waiting for me in the morning — unless a thunderstorm decides to move in between now and then.

In health & happiness,

Jill Reid

Jill Reid is the author of Real Life, Discover Your Personal Truth, Life in Small Doses, and Please God, Make Me A Writer. Her books, videos, and newsletter explore life, relationships, self-improvement, health, and personal success strategies for working through the challenges of everyday life.

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