Tea for One

Summary

Trista Signe Ainsworth reflects on the importance of self-kindness and inner dialogue through a personal experience of a solitary tea party, emphasizing the value of treating oneself as a best friend and the healing power of letting go.

Abstract

In a poignant personal essay titled "Tea for One," Trista Signe Ainsworth shares her experience of finding joy and peace in solitude. On a sunny day, while her husband and son enjoyed the park, she indulged in a tea party for one, complete with treats from a local Japanese bakery. This solo celebration was not just a treat for the senses but also a profound spiritual exercise. Ainsworth draws inspiration from David R. Hawkins' book "Letting Go," advocating for the practice of inner observation to achieve a state of total freedom and peace. She discovered her inner voice, a loving and guiding presence, and encourages readers to connect with their own inner selves. Ainsworth believes that this journey of self-discovery and emotional release is essential for personal growth and healing. She concludes with a call to action for her readers to embrace their inner voice and the transformative process of surrendering to the moment.

Opinions

Ainsworth values the practice of self-care and treating oneself with the same kindness and attention one would offer a best friend.
She emphasizes the importance of inner observation and self-dialogue as tools for personal growth and emotional healing.
Ainsworth finds the book "Letting Go" by David R. Hawkins to be a significant influence on her spiritual journey and recommends it to her readers.
She acknowledges the layered process of surrendering to one's emotions and the cathartic release that comes with it.
Ainsworth's prayer and intention for her readers is that they find their inner self, a constant and comforting presence amidst life's challenges.
She views the experience of sadness and grief as part of the journey to letting go and encourages readers to feel and acknowledge these emotions to ultimately find freedom.
Ainsworth practices what she preaches by signing off with an invitation to her newsletter for weekly joy-living tips and provides links to her social media for further connection.

Day 87: Making time to be kind to yourself opens up your world

Photo by Tea Creative/Soo Chung on Unsplash

Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day, and my husband and son went to the park together. I decided to do something special for myself. I picked up a treat from the local Japanese bakery, got out our best dishes and a beautiful cup, and had a tea party for one. I admit that I really miss going out for tea with my friends. I dream of a day when that can happen again. For now, I enjoyed this time with myself. I believe that we need to treat ourselves like our best friends. I discovered yesterday that I can speak to my inner-self, and she is always there for me. She is a loving friend, here to guide me at every moment. As I step along the path on my 100-day spiritual journey, each moment I learn more about myself. I am so grateful to be learning to surrender from the book Letting Go by David R. Hawkins.

Through inner observation, there is the realization of something that remains constant and the same, no matter what goes on in the external world or with the body, emotions, or mind. With this awareness comes a state of total freedom. The inner Self has been discovered. The silent state of Awareness that underlies all movement, activity, sound, feeling, and thought is discovered to be a timeless dimension of peace. -David R. Hawkins

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

I rarely talk to myself, but yesterday I found my inner voice. I have an inner friend that I can call upon whenever I need some guidance. I am learning day by day that this surrendering process has many layers. There will be deep emotions that come out from time to time. In a moment of silence with myself, I found some tears flowing. I let my inner-self speak softly and lovingly, letting me know that all was well. I was letting go. I let the tears flow all the way down my face. It felt very healing to let go of these emotions.

My prayer and my intention for you today is that you find your inner self. You have a best friend with you at all times. He or she is there to comfort and guide you along the way to letting go. Sometimes sadness, grief, and more come out on the journey. Feel them, acknowledge their presence, guide yourself through them. Then, you are free to let them go. Surrender to the moment and know that all is well.

Have you spoken to your inner self lately?

Trista Signe Ainsworth is a professional organizer with Joyful Minimalism. She helps working women clear the clutter, overwhelm, and shame from their homes and lives so that they can truly live in joy.

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More from Trista Ainsworth:

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