What Endings Means As Used Here


Sometime after the old story begins to loosen, whether it’s about retiring, family changes, or physical changes, . . . things that once worked start to fail quietly.

Not all at once.

Not catastrophically.

Just enough to be noticed.

Then ignored.

Then noticed again.

Roles that had carried weight for decades grow lighter, then awkward, then hollow.

Certainties thin.

Effort produces less return.

The familiar moves stop landing the way they used to.

At first, this feels like a problem to solve.

Most of us were trained that way.

If something stops working, we adjust.

If a role loses power, we reinforce it.

If meaning fades, we double down on purpose.

But, this time, doubling down does not help.

What is happening does not respond to improvement.

It does not want optimization.

It does not want encouragement.
It wants something to end.

That realization comes slowly, and then all at once.

Looking back, it becomes clear there were several such endings . . . more than a few.

Enough changes in enough areas of life to change the ground we thought was solid.

Each one arrives disguised as inconvenience or failure or fatigue.

Each one asks to be managed . . . and each one resists management.

A capacity relied on for years slips away.

A way of being respected no longer applies.

A sense of usefulness evaporates without explanation.

These moments aren’t clearly losses at the time . . . . so they get treated as problems . . . and that makes things worse.

Only in hindsight does it become clear that something more fundamental has been happening.

Not change in the ordinary sense . . . not transition . . . not reinvention.

It is something closer to death . . . not physical death . . .

Not emotional collapse.

Identity death . . . the passing away of things that we always took for granted . . . that we thought were us.

Leaving us with an obvious, but very difficult question: If these things that we thought defined us aren’t true anymore, then who the heck are we now?
20

Based on recent scientific articles, the healthiest ways to brew coffee focus on reducing diterpenes, compounds in coffee’s natural oils that can raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Here’s a breakdown:Key Findings from Recent Research:

  • Filtered Coffee is Best: Multiple recent studies consistently point to paper-filtered coffee as the healthiest brewing method. The paper filter effectively traps most of the diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol), leading to lower levels in the final brew.

  • Unfiltered Methods Have Higher Diterpenes: Brewing methods like French press, Turkish coffee, and some cold brews do not use a paper filter, allowing more diterpenes to pass into the coffee. These methods have been associated with increased LDL cholesterol levels in studies.

  • Workplace Brewing Machines May Be Problematic: A recent study indicated that coffee brewed in some workplace machines had higher diterpene concentrations compared to home-brewed, paper-filtered coffee. This suggests that the filtration in these machines might not be as effective.

  • Boiled Coffee Has the Highest Diterpenes: Traditional boiled coffee preparations, like Turkish coffee, contain the highest concentrations of diterpenes.

  • Even Makeshift Filters Help: Research showed that even filtering boiled coffee through a sock significantly reduced diterpene levels, highlighting the importance of filtration.

  • Impact on Heart Health: Studies suggest that regularly consuming unfiltered coffee might negatively impact cardiovascular health due to increased LDL cholesterol. Switching to paper-filtered coffee could potentially reduce this risk over time.

  • Antioxidants Remain: While filtering reduces diterpenes, coffee brewed with methods like pour-over (using a paper filter) still retains significant antioxidant properties.Healthiest Brewing Methods:

  • Pour Over (with paper filter): This method allows for control over brewing temperature and time while effectively filtering out diterpenes. Examples include using a Hario V60 or Chemex with paper filters.

  • Drip Coffee (with paper filter): Standard electric drip coffee makers that use paper filters are a healthy option.

  • AeroPress (with paper filter): This method uses pressure to brew coffee and can produce a clean cup with minimal sediment when used with a paper filter.Methods to Consume in Moderation (or with caution if you have cholesterol concerns):

  • French Press: Retains coffee oils and diterpenes due to its metal mesh filter.

  • Espresso: Contains high levels of diterpenes due to the fine grind and lack of paper filter.

  • Cold Brew: While often perceived as less acidic, it still retains diterpenes as it typically doesn’t use a paper filter.

  • Turkish Coffee/Boiled Coffee: Has the highest concentration of diterpenes.

  • Coffee from some Workplace Brewing Machines: May have higher diterpene levels than home-brewed filtered coffee.Additional Tips for a Healthier Coffee Habit:

  • Drink it Black (or with minimal additions): Adding excessive sugar, cream, or flavored syrups can negate some of the health benefits of coffee. A splash of milk is generally fine.

  • Consider Bean Quality and Roast: Some sources suggest that lighter roasts might have higher antioxidant content.

  • Moderate Consumption: Most studies showing health benefits point to moderate consumption (around 3-4 cups per day).In conclusion, if you are concerned about cholesterol levels and want the healthiest way to brew coffee based on current scientific understanding, opting for methods that use a paper filter, such as pour-over or a drip machine, is the most recommended approach.

Healthiest Brewed Coffee

What We Mean by Endings
Every man reaches a point where the old story no longer fits. Careers close. Roles shift. Friendships thin out. The things that once defined us don’t hold the same weight. These endings aren’t failures — they’re signals that something new is asking for space.What We Mean by Endings
Every man reaches a point where the old story no longer fits. Careers close. Roles shift. Friendships thin out. The things that once defined us don’t hold the same weight. These endings aren’t failures — they’re signals that something new is asking for space.

Keep Reading