Reflections Over a Cup of Hot Green Tea

The first dawn of the first day of the new year

It’s 4.30 am, almost the first dawn of the New Year, and the Sun is still sleeping. I’m outdoors with my friends, looking over a beautiful mountain Greek resort. The company of five are in their rooms already, trying to recover from endless parties over the past few days. I’m physically exhausted too, but I feel content and blessed, also.

Instead of hitting the bed, I choose to make myself some tea and then I curl up myself in a wooden rocking chair placed on the patio. They say that a rocking chair provides a familiar, consistent setting and can produce feelings of nostalgia and calm. It works for me, so I guess they are right. It’s cold and I wrap myself with a lovely patchwork placed right next to it.

Both my hands are kept warm as I hold a steaming cup of plain green tea close to my cold lips, for its gray steam keeps them sated, too.

Right behind me, the warmth of my low-lit room reflects glow both on the window glass, and the left part of my existence: lightand dark coexisting in harmony around this peaceful environment. The smell of scented candles still burning inside, create an ambience and bring a wave of lavender and sandalwood aromas, everywhere around me.

My eyes follow the tracks of a silver line left behind by a snail, on the wooden deck of the patio.

I redirect them to enjoy the mountain view and the stillness of the moment. I embrace my thoughts, and as I drop down into my heart space, I reflect on my past deeds and emotions.

Once more, the wheel of earth’s time turned to welcome the new year. Another chapter of my life closes, and I nod with the hope that it ended gracefully. “Is that so?”, I wonder.

Once more, and whatever the circumstances, I made it a spiritual offering to choose joy today, and every day. That solves half of my problems, already. The others, I try my best to solve them, and if not, I just accept them as they come, and as the saying goes “This too shall pass”. I admire the great wisdom behind these four words. How gracefully they describe the transient nature of life. Everything is temporary and nothing, whether good or bad, lasts forever.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the “absurdity” of this life, I give it some time to ponder around it and then, I throw myself into happy adventures and magical discoveries of Mother Earth.

Most of my healthy habits I’ve developed since I was very young, some of them since childhood. Of course, I have bad habits, don’t we all? I’m not a diamond, I’m just a crystal with some serious, glorious flaws that make me who I am.

Perfection can only be found in Nature and all the emotions we get when we notice the phases of the Moon, when we listen to the pasteurism of the tree movement when we touch the foam of a wave when we close our eyes to smell the wildflowers, and when we taste the honey of the bees.

Human perfection can be found in humanity, and it can be achieved only when we do things that evoke emotions and a connection with the divine. Perfection is the feeling we get while absorbing a book of wisdom, while reciting “Desiderata” poem, while creating a painting or any other piece of art, when we listen to a soul-stirring piece of music, where the honey sweet violin graces the mellow softness of the piano, for instance. We all have Magical Hands, as long as we know how to use them.

Human perfection can only be found when we cultivate soul sustenance. When we keep our soul light as bright as the summer Sun, then, its light luminates our existence and all those around us.

My next thought goes to a beautiful soul that left this earth, on this day, a year ago. I smile as I look at the stars arranging themselves around the Waning Moon. Its illumination grows smaller and smaller these days and it rises later and later each night, setting after sunrise in the morning.

The calendar says that today, the Moon is 19.8 days old and it refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. Can’t help but wonder, how many moons have I seen so far in my long life? I try to skip that part for now, as it feels like it’s not the right time to reflect on this. Some other time, maybe, or maybe not.

Just by staring at the Moon, it fills my mind with magic. Of “things” and of “you”.

I use my imagination to dip a quill pen in an inkwell, filled with ink of burnt sienna color mixed with tiny sparkles of my heart. And as it rolls on the paper of ochre color performing the art of calligraphy, this is my message to you.

“You bring light into my life, and for that, I wish I could deliver you the Moon”.

I seal the blue imaginary envelope with a kiss that leaves a scent of roses on the paper. I trust that the Moon, with her silver light as her postman, will deliver it right outside your door, and into your heart and soul.

I’m slowing down to finish my cup of tea and I’m looking ahead, with a spark in my physically tired eyes, to glorious life opportunities, as the dawn breaks on this first day of the New Year.

With a light-hearted spirit, I decide it’s time to go inside now…

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Thank you for reading. Happy New Year everyone! Be gentle with yourself and keep peace in your soul! 💜