Tea Time

It’s Sunday night. The day is almost over. It’s just about time to delve into the busy week ahead.

But wait…

Take a few minutes to breathe and do something for you before your night comes to an end. We all need to unwind, relax and rejuvenate.

I think it’s time for tea.

Bring me the sunset in a cup. ~Emily Dickinson

(I know I’ve said this before but sometimes we all need a little reminder.)

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Take Me Away

Late yesterday morning I had an opportunity to sit outside for a few minutes while having a cup of tea. I was in desperate need of a break and this was my chance; so I took it. My little guy had just gone down for a nap and although I had many things to do I decided the first thing I needed was a cup of tea. It was a cool day but the sun was bright and beautiful and I threw on a sweatshirt and went outside. I decided that my “break” was going to last as long as my tea did.

As I sat there I saw a neighbor smoking a cigar, another one walking her dog, two birds playing in the air, and a bee trying to decide how well it wanted to get to know me. (Thankfully, not well) The past few days my head has just been spinning in different directions and I felt it was time to try to let go of some of the stress. I decided to think of one of my favorite places – my grandparents camp up north. It wasn’t long before I could hear the sound of the waves crashing up against the dock, or that I could smell the crisp air with campfire trickling through it. I started to begin to relax. It was evident because my shoulders ached from the stress they were holding and I actually noticed the sun that warmed my face. I allowed myself to revisit some memories from up north and it felt good. It even felt good to remember some not so easy times when a trip up north gave me the peace I needed to rebuild my strength.

Do you have a place to escape? Whether it be a favorite place away, somewhere close by or even a room in your home? When was the last time you took the time to go there? Allow yourself the time to. Relax, unwind, breathe.

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night. ~Edgar Allan Poe

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Comfort in a cup

I’m starting my morning with a nice hot cup of tea – like I do most mornings. I must have it just a specific way. If I go anywhere overnight I’ll sometimes bring my tea bags with me because most other brands just don’t compare. I have an aunt that comes to visit often and she says that I make the perfect cup of tea. She teases that she wants to know my special ingredient. I always tell her that I won’t share. She’ll just have to come visit. Really though it’s just the brand of tea bag, in my opinion.

Isn’t it funny how we can find comfort in something as small as a cup of tea? Sometimes it gives me the time I need to reflect on a nice memory or think about hopes that I have. If that’s not comforting; I don’t know what is.

As a young girl there were times that I was at my grandmother’s house in the morning either on a school break or during the summer. We always had a cup of tea and a bagel together and shared so much on those mornings. When I was at home and it was a school day I’d make my cup of tea and call and talk to her on the phone for 10 minutes each morning. I think that is what started to make me love tea so much.

This morning my mug is an oversized one with a very pretty design. Inside it says live*love*laugh. I have a feeling that the person that gave me this knows just how much a nice soothing cup of tea can brighten my day.

Lately my mornings are spent enjoying this caffeine at home before my little one wakes up for a very busy morning. Not all that long ago I was enjoying my morning beverage at work. I’d bring my nice mugs from home. I’d get to work, turn on my computer, my radio, listen to voicemails and make my tea. Usually I was catching up on emails while having tea – a couple mornings a week my tea would come with me into meetings. Sometimes I already knew that there would be issues discussed that I wasn’t looking forward to but my tea was there. Something to hold on too. It was at times something that would give me just what I needed to not react to something that I didn’t agree with negatively; sometimes it gave me strength I needed to stand up for something I believed was important to my department.

Everywhere you go people seem to have something to drink with them. On television many shows have a café where everyone meets for coffee or tea. Actually lattes and macchiatos are more popular now. On Frasier I think it was Café Nervosa; Friends hung out at Central Perk – those are just two of many. How many movie scenes are in a coffee-house or diner? Too many to mention! There is a reason Barnes & Nobles and Borders opened with large cafés inside. It’s just what makes sense; it’s comforting.

What is something little that brings you great comfort? If you haven’t incorporated it into your day yet today – be sure to – you deserve it!

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