The Shortest Distance Between Two People is a Cup of Coffee

I've been saying this 'shortest distance' quote for a while now.

It was actually inspired by something that happened to a very close friend of mine. The story is, as it relates to the slogan, a bit ironic. But, the basic gist of it is that my friend, who is near the end of a very painful divorce, goes out for coffee with his soon-to-be ex-wife. They sit, discuss, reflect on their marriage, the pain they've caused one another, but ultimately end things with a degree of mutuality. All of this over a cup of coffee. My friend, who had become my roommate following the separation, came home after this painful encounter, discussed it with me, and then referred to it as "a cup of closure."

This really got me thinking about the nature of our relationship with coffee, caffeine, and even hot beverages in general. There's something about the taste, the heat, the ritual, and yes, the caffeine that in many ways allows us to let go of some of our less useful inhibitions—our prejudice, our past trauma, our emotional procrastination—and in their place we're left with curiosity, empathy, and focus. Coffee, at its best, lifts the veils between us, shortening the distance, and allowing us to see and hear one another more clearly.

I say 'at its best' because if we're being honest here, coffee and caffeine in general can, at times, bring out the worst in us. But, I like to think that for the most part, this little seed that we roast, grind, and brew into a drink, performs as the former suggests. It broadens our horizons while somehow sharpening our intention.

This blog is a long time coming. I'm active on social media and frequently share ideas, interesting tidbits, and my general day-to-day there. Yet, it never felt complete. I've been asked for a long time to begin creating more static content. With much encouragement from close friends, I've decided to start this blog. Here, I'll share my perspective on some of the lesser-discussed aspects of the coffee industry, lessons I've learned as a businessman, stories from my travels, and much more. I'll also be using it as a single space where I can release news regarding my three current ventures: Port of Mokha, Al-Khanshali Estates, and The Mokha Institute. Hopefully through this, we can shorten the distance between us.

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The shortest distance between two people is a cup of coffee.