I couldn't help but re-post a rather peculiar sentence I read in the newspaper yesterday: "If days were lattes, today would be bitter and icy." It was referring to the weather, but I found the phrasing humorous. If days were lattes... what an interesting notion. Heaven help the day that's non-fat, no whip, extra hot with an extra shot of espresso with half the syrup.
It makes a person think, though. Of course metaphors are used for a greater and deeper meaning, which would lend an expression to different situations. For instance, comparing lattes to days would also cross over to comparing lattes to attitudes. There are those people who feel the need to be the prettiest drink... you know, the drink with the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the 400 calories for the smallest size... There are also those people who don't feel the need for all the "bells and whistles," so they are an americano, which seems strong but is really watered down espresso... or they're drip-brewed... Whatever the presentation, each metaphor stands for something.
Now that you're thinking in metaphors, let me dissect the aforementioned one from my viewpoint.
Coffee is the metaphor for life; life experiences, beliefs, overall perspective of life.
The "pretty" drink is not a reference to make-up or the amount of time one spends in the morning with his or her appearance. It is the personality, the appearance, of having everything together. It looks so good on the outside. The majority of people like it... mostly the not-so-much-of-a-coffee fans. Translation: Those people who have difficulty facing what is really going on tend to be the prettiest drinks. Truth is, the prettiest drinks have the most calories, so following the illustration: you'll realize one day or another that you can't handle the syrup and the sprinkles and the whipped cream all the time. Whether you've gained a ton of weight from the 400 calorie drink (hyperbole, obviously) or you've grown tired of the taste, it's when you realize that there is something amiss. The drink that used to bring you to your happy place now makes you sick to your stomach.
This is how it is when we try to be the prettiest drink. We make ourselves presentable to the outside world: the pretty package that has everything together. In American culture, showing weakness or telling people about your problems is horribly inconvenient and burdensome. Culture emphasizes that only high-profile people are allowed to have problems. Those or fictional characters. So, we take the time to make everything seem perfect. As time passes, we realize that we can't do this all the time. We're exhausted and depressed because we've covered over our lives with the things that culture tells us will make the hurts and the troubles go away.
Back to the metaphor.
You switch to a basic latte. Less sprinkles, less whipped cream, but still full of syrup. Just enough espresso to remind people that there really is coffee in the drink. You'll be yourself but not straight up. No one wants to know all about your life, except for those closest to you. Guess what, though... with the different types of lattes, you can still be bitter and cold. At least, that's what the newspaper tells me.
When it comes down to the basics, we have to realize something: we have to be real at some point. We have to be honest. We have to leave the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the syrup behind. Some people won't be able to handle the americano or the espresso shot, or even a drip coffee, but we've got to be real sometime. Even if you try to put on a show, you won't be able to keep that up for forever. It's not bad to be cheerful. It's bad to be fake and shallow.
Sometimes, you have no other choice, no other energy, but "to make" a bitter, cold latte. Let's call it as it is, because if you try to pass that off as a hot chocolate, it won't go over very well. There are things that will take the energy from you. I have felt like there were many times this past semester and at the beginning of this year where I had to be a bitter, cold latte. I'll call it like it is. At the same time, I realize that I cannot stay this way forever. I may not be the person to have heartwarming conversations with, but I will guarantee my genuine words. The great things about that situation is that my friends have allowed me to be the bitter, icy latte. They've allowed me to be in that stage and call it like it is. I have realized the blessing and, just maybe, because of that, my bitter/icy stage will be shortened. Who knows?
I've rambled on enough about coffee and metaphors, but I want you to think. Are you trying to pass yourself off as a frappaccino with all your pieces in place? Just remember that no one reacts well to drinking cold black drip coffee when they wanted a Starbucks Java Chip Frappaccino...
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