How to Live in Joy
Day 4: How tea is a drink that can unite us all
In this 30 day series during the month of May, 2020 I am looking at all of the ways we can live in joy here at home. During this lockdown time, we are looking closely at how we can find joy in the small things in life right where we live. I feel it is a time to be more present with our immediate surroundings and to enjoy every moment we have.
Today my focus of joy is on tea. I live in the state of Oregon and for much of the year it is cold, cloudy and rainy. A hot cup tea really warms you up. During around 9 months of the year unless it is hot outside, I am making multiple cups of tea a day. It brings me so much joy to stop, choose a tea, brew it and enjoy it.
I am so lucky to know exactly where my tea comes from and who blends it. Last September I met a lovely lady named Sally at a networking meeting for mom-owned businesses. She hand blends tea from organic ingredients! They are all amazing teas. So, right now she has been hand-delivering and leaving tea on the porch for all of us to enjoy and to make our days brighter. I thank Sally with each cup of tea I drink as I know she created it with love.
This morning I woke up really, really missing my friends. Yes, we have done zoom chats, calls and texts. However, there is nothing better than sitting down with someone in person and enjoying an afternoon tea. This is something that we used to do quite regularly. Tea calls for you to slow down, to sit, to notice and to really take part in life.
As I was meditating this morning and saying some prayers, I focused on how I could feel better and also feel more connected to my friends. I thought of tea. I thought of all of the times we have spent together over tea. I knew that was the answer. I decided that with each cup of tea today, I can send love to a friend. I can remember them and know that we will be able to sit together again one day.
It was so joyful to remember all of those afternoon and holiday teas. My friend Carol and I have the longest history with tea. We used to get together every month and go to a different tea house. We were always on the lookout for new places to try. We once drove all the way to the coast to go to tea. Another time we drove another long distance to have tea at a lovely hotel in the Columbia Gorge. All of those conversations, all of those pots of tea, all of the scones and lemon curd and tiny little sandwiches. So many treasured memories together. During the lockdown we had to cancel a time where we were going to have tea together, so we set up a tea to have over a zoom chat. I made some scones, tea and set out lemon curd. We chatted as we sipped our tea and chatted about how we were doing. It made the day so much better.
So far I have had 2 lovely cups of tea today, dedicated to my friends and the afternoon teas that we have shared together so far, and the ones yet to come. I dedicate this tea to friendship and to togetherness and to a new world that will come about soon.
This afternoon I will get out one of my best cups and enjoy some special tea out in the garden. This will be a prayer in the form of a cup of tea for the health and safety of all of my friends, present and future. May you all live long, beautiful lives and drink tea!
With lots of love and light,
Trista
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I want to thank Bob Jasper for following the challenge to find daily joy in his article. Thank you so much Bob for writing such a lovely piece about the joy you find daily in watching the wildlife around your property and more.
