When venture capitalist, Chris Sacca, petalled his bike across the country he continually reminded himself of one thing: l’ll be in my own bed tonight. It wasn’t the idea of reaching the other coast that pulled him forward. During the grueling stretches the thing that brought the most comfort was the thought he would lay his wearied body in his own bed that night.

Without a counter balance, the difficult moments of life become debilitating. While recovering from a liver transplant there were plenty of trying days. I often thought of my full recovery. And I thought about when I would be strong enough to do what I was able to before surgery.

But those weren’t the thoughts that provided relief in the moment by moment struggle. As irrational as it may sound there was one simple thing I looked forward to each night: Watching The Cosby Show reruns. Throughout the days of recovery I constantly looked forward to this bookend to my day. It was this nightly event that helped make everything else more tolerable.

Today, when I need an anchoring point to put the stressful moments into context I have another daily event to look forward to: sipping my morning cup of coffee. 

When I over analyze it it becomes almost embarrassing, that I would find solace in such a mundane activity. But it’s often the small things in between the great things that make all the difference. Crossing a finish line feels good. But catching the smell of a flower along the way is refreshing.

My morning cup of coffee has become a daily practice. And yes, 90% of the population does the same. But it’s more than drinking a cup of coffee. It’s a sacred moment that pulls me toward itself.

Sometimes it’s the smallest things in between that make all the difference.