Gratitude in a Cup of Tea…Mindfulness Rituals for Morning, Noon and Night
They say gratitude is the currency of the universe, so how about combining teatime with self-care time as a wonderful way to nourish body, mind and spirit? It’s a meaningful life pursuit to create and maintain a happy, calm inner life. In this season of gratitude, what better way to enjoy your teatime days of autumn than by starting new rituals and enjoying just the right brew for the moment? As we give thanks throughout the day, we can benefit from tea-centered mindfulness mini-celebrations. These practices can become a lifestyle which enhances our wellbeing and makes every day special. Morning, noon and night, take a few teatime moments to go within over a cup of tea, and reconnect with your inner being. Over a period of time you’ll find that what you are grateful for grows and flourishes. You deserve a few minutes to reflect on yourself and your peaceful life… and YOU are worth it!
Morning Tea Rituals to Start Your Day
As you rise in the morning grateful for this day, make a few minutes for yourself to count your blessings. Keep the thought in mind that when you change your morning, you change your day. Focus on savoring a cup of a green tea to get you off to a great start. Steep your organic pyramid-shaped green tea bag in a simple, elegant clear teacup to get the full effect of its vibrant green color. Spend a few minutes sipping this ceremonial tea with gratitude, fully taking it its taste, scent and flavor. As you relax, write down special intentions for the day. Map out your goals and dare to write down your dreams, no matter how big or small. A teatime journal with guided prompts can enhance your innate creative process. Consider which positive affirmations resonate with you and meet you where you are today. Just writing your intentions and dreams down is a powerful accomplishment in and of itself, and can become a joyful habit which you look forward to as the start to each day. In the time it takes to drink a delicious cup of tea, you can set your dreams in motion by reminding yourself you are worthy and deserving. This relaxing and invigorating tea practice will have such a wonderful result over time, and you will look back at your writings with amazement to see how you have manifested your best self and life in these mindfulness early mornings, one cup of tea at a time.
Noontime Tea Ritual for Centering and Reconnecting
Midday teatime is a great occasion to take a few minutes to ground yourself through your five senses. It’s so important to reconnect with ourselves during a work or school day, while taking a quick break while caring for the kids or an elderly family member, and can become a wonderful pre-lunch tea practice. This simple pleasure so is easy and quick to do, and it puts a smile on your face and a pep in your step.
First, grab your favorite teacup and brew up your favorite variety. Or try something new, choosing a tasty seasonal flavor, such as spiced pear, orange clove or a cinnamon plum tea.
As your tea is steeping, choose an aromatic “stir-in”, such as a lemon wedge, to add to the ritual’s sensual pleasure. Use your sense of touch, taste, sight, smell, and even hone your sense of hearing as you cut a lemon wedge for your tea. First, look and really SEE the lemon’s sunshine yellow color, taking in its bright hue as if for the first time. FEEL the cool, dimpled skin of the lemon in your fingers as you cut the lemon into wedges. Smile as the citrus fragrance stimulates your sense of SMELL as it is cut. Listen carefully and HEAR the sound of the lemon as you cut through it, and them the even more subtle sound the lemon wedge makes as you squeeze it into your tea.
Now, cupping your hands around your tea cup and feeling its comforting warmth, bring the cup to your mouth and savor a tiny sip of your tea. Really TASTE it. Hold it in your mouth and swirl, deepening your experience of its taste as you gently swallow. Feel gratitude for the beauty of this delicious brew, and for the special teacup holding it. Silently give your deepest thanks for all of your gifts and blessings of today. FEEL how lucky you are to know the pleasures and treasures of all things tea. Enjoy your tea as though time is standing still for you.
This mindfulness ritual focuses teatime on your senses and connects you with your inner self. It is a simple respite from a busy day, and builds and creates anticipation within you to drink your delicious tea mindfully and with gratitude.
Evening Tea and Calming Reflections of the Day
Evening teatime is a wonderful time of contemplation and creation. As you reflect on your day over a calming cup, it’s the time for remembering the day as though you are watching a movie, and for nurturing a sense of accomplishment for all that went well, and even for those moments that didn’t quite go according to plan. You have run your race with dignity and grace, helping others along the way with kindness and caring. Now, give yourself credit for another day well lived, as the daylight fades, and the wishing stars come into full view. Pour yourself a cup of sleepy time tea to unwind your body, mind and spirit. As you sip, ponder your happiest moments from today, and give your deepest gratitude. Whether they flowed easily, or required great effort on your part, they came and passed, and you are better for them. They are accomplishments to be celebrated. If in any way you feel you were not your best self in any interactions, replay them in your mind and heart in detail with compassion, and create a daydream of how you wished they had gone. This lays the foundation for creation of a better way of handling similar situations in the future. Accepting them as they were, and “daydreaming” them as you wish they had been drafts a blueprint for the future, taking any lingering stress off of you plate. You transform the experience positively in your heart and mind while calmly savoring your evening tea. Taste and feel the soothing elixir of warming, quieting tea, as you silently repeat positive affirmations, preparing you for the restorative and healing power of sleep. Drift off into your peaceful slumbers. You are good, all is well, and life is bringing you everything you need just when you need it. Sweet Dreams! If these teatime practices resonant with you, consider starting the rituals. Try one or all, and nourish your inner life every day. You are worth it and you deserve it.
Cheers to you with gratitude, and the magic and power of a joyful cup of tea!