Ailed To Excellence

I have this friend I've known for quite a while whom I'd meet up with randomly after having been AWOL for a given period of time. It happened in bursts of 5-6 months when she'd vanish completely, and then make an appearance in my inbox. We'd meet for coffee, talk about work, life and new things. It was always great.

One odd thing is whenever we met, there was this unsaid competition to outdo each other in who can find the coolest cafe/workspace in the city.

She has an incredible mind, my friend, such that I always go away learning something new at our meet ups. She's a kind of no-nonsense go-getter too. There are very few people I know that have the same level of self determination as she does. Of course, she's physically fit and her work life is in order.

She's an Instagram quote come to life!

The last time we met up, last summer, it was her turn to find a cool place. We went to this hidden Italian coffee shop / breakfast restaurant in the middle of a place so posh, I can't remember where it is. It was so Italian that they refused to serve Americanos there. Instead, I got the European style slightly diluted espresso and a glass of water. I also got a side eye from the waiter, perhaps for asking for what was akin to a Big Mac at a real burger house.

My friend has this one issue that she's been trying to resolve for many years. It is the only thing that she has not been able to resolve, and she has become so obsessed with finding a solution to it, that it controls her life more than it should. Because of her go-getter problem solver personality, she will not let go, even though she admits realising that it would be better to do so.

The issue has to do with a chronic condition that affects her appearance. It shows itself on the face as well. A lot of people have it actually - it's some kind of skin condition - but it really isn't a bad thing per se. It could actually be considered "attractive" by some, and on some, if it's not severe. It's one of those conditions that are not life threatening or dangerous in any way, but over-proportionately affects people that have them - like male pattern baldness, wrinkles or grey hair.

She's hell bent on finding a solution that it drives her diet, lifestyle and ethics. As a result, she's super healthy, super fit and has developed strong environmental ethics.

We were having this conversation over the last coffee we had together all those months ago. I said to her, and I think she knows it deep down, that she will never find a cure, but having this one issue to chase has really made her an amazing person.

From my point of view, I wondered if it would benefit us all to have this one issue that drives us to excellence, like my friend's skin condition.

.. don't ask me what the skin condition is, I'm not going to say :)

She has vanished again now, and it's been over 6 months, so any time now I'm expecting to see a message in my inbox. It would be my turn to find an even more awesome place than that Italian hideout. I am up to the challenge, naturally. I am also bracing myself for the event of her having found a solution to her issue. I'd have to eat my hat, forever be in awe of this person, and worry that she may cease being superhuman.

---

Peace and Love ✌🏿
Adé

All copy and photos are original content by me.
© adetorrent.com