My cup of tea reminder

An invitation to pause and be present

My brain runs through the list of things I need to do today that I am late getting started on. Slipping in with these thoughts, a critical whisper weaves between the writing sparks, chores, errands, and study tasks.

‘Undisciplined.’

‘Time-waster.’

‘Hypocrite.’

The whisper is so subtle and familiar that I barely register it is there until I notice my breathing is more shallow and rapid, and my heart is fluttering. A simpler thought breaks through- I want a cup of tea before I sit down at my computer. I turn on the kettle and draw out my favourite turquoise mug with the floral print. I reach for my iridescent tea infuser insert that always brings a little glimmer of joy. The box of oolong choc chai comes out next. The tea leaves and spices tip from the spoon into the infuser before the hot water fills the cup.

I stand in the quiet looking out into my back garden. Birds are calling with their varied twitters and chirps while the distant traffic is a background hum. My breathing and heartrate slow as I tune in to peace once more. These few minutes of waiting for a cup of tea to brew are an invitation to pause, to resist the pull of frenetic activity- both internal and external. It is up to me to say yes to that reminder.

Too often my mind defaults to the chaos of anxieties, to do lists, past regrets and comparisons when I let it wander. That is, of course, when I haven’t filled it with distractions instead. I want to train my mind to focus on truth, beauty, problem solving, creativity and joy instead. I want to be present in the moments of my day. As an apprentice of Jesus, I want to be tuned in to his presence in my day. I experienced that as the flavours of my tea developed and my attention was captured more by what was outside my window than my task list. That critical whisper was silenced.

How many other unnoticed moments in my day contain these invitations to pause and be present? What insights and delights am I missing? I look forward to continuing this journey of finding out as I slowly and, perhaps, haphazardly continue to grow in this area.