Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much life she had time for. (anonymous)
Ever ask the question, “Why is it that time seems to speed up, the older–and busier–I get?”
I’m hearing it often. Our lives are getting fuller and fuller, and not necessarily with things we want. Social media, multi-tasking, scheduling, work and being unstoppably-on-the-go leads to burn-out, adrenal depletion and eventually possible disease. And definite anxiety and depression.
Why?
The answer is simple: it’s because we just aren’t paying attention.
We’ve become a multi-tasking, unfocused and attention deficit society. Rushing around like headless chickens. And it’s making us sick.
So, today I’m going to share something I’ve added to my day. Yes, added! But this addition is helping me focus more clearly, get better organized, and at the end of the day I’m more productive.
(Okay, if you’ve known me for a while, you’ll know that I’m a high-energy, busy person, and that I help people turn their lives from stuck to spectacular. So, you know this one thing isn’t the only thing I teach. But read on, because I’m encouraging you to try something new.)
For me, each day begins with the ritual of tea-making.
Ahhh! Filling the kettle with fresh water. (Right from my own well, don’t you know!) Bringing it to a rolling boil. Swishing a little boiling water around the teapot. Dropping in my tea, and covering with water.
As the tea releases its magic to the hot water, also known as steeping, I pull out a cup and saucer. Pour in a splash of milk. Then pour my tea. Sit, look out the window, and sip.
Sounds delightful, I know. But…I get busy. And I’m in a rush. So, I pop on the kettle, throw a tea-bag in a mug, rush off and brush my teeth. Then come back, squeeze the teabag and splosh in some milk. Rush to my desk and start checking e-mails.
Not so delightful.
As I walked my dog recently, I realized I wasn’t starting the day with ease, joy and glory. And I pondered this as we wandered along the lane. I had an epiphany. I’d fallen into multi-tasking, non-attentive and unfocused starts to the day. Yikes!
So, I bought a new teapot.
How did that solve my problem? I bought a beautiful two cup, glass teapot. It’s rather delicate, and a little fragile. (But it has the perfect pour…no splosh or dribbles, just a delight!)
The fragility of the teapot has made me slow-down. I can’t rush through the tea ritual. I carefully and attentively make my tea. Which leads to me carefully and attentively drinking my tea. And, then it leads to a careful and attentive start to the day.
See where I’m going with this?
By focusing and slowing down first thing in the morning, I start the day with focus. By focusing on one thing at a time, I get more done. And that leaves time at the end of the day to sit, knit and relax. Which in turn has me sleeping better.
Then I wake refreshed, and I’m not rushing to throw a tea-bag in a mug!
Not a bad cycle to be in.
So, my dear, I’m sure this would work with coffee too. When I was in Maui (she says, oh so casually) celebrating my 60th birthday. (It’s a big one, so I needed a big holiday!) So, in Maui, I bought some local coffee beans. (BTW they cost an arm and a leg!)
When hubby fancies a coffee, he gets the coffee beans and grinds the perfect amount. Then he either uses a French press, for us both to have a cup. Or if he’s alone in his indulgence, he has a one-cup filter. He uses his favorite mug. Warms milk up to make café-au-lait. And sits reading the news, sipping and enjoying.
Don’t tell me you don’t have time for this. You do. We each have 24 hours in a day, and we choose what to do with them. Rushing through the drive-through is a choice. If that’s your choice, own it. But having the supplies at home and making your hot beverage of choice takes less time than driving to the coffee/tea shop.
You’ll feel calmer and less harried, and you’ll carry that feeling with you into your work day.
And then, I treated myself to some blooming tea. I think this one is called Oriental Beauty. 100% Camelia sinensis (which is tea!) Even more delightful! You drop a mysterious pod into your teapot and watch it unfold into a beautiful flower.
Reminds me of the saying
We are like tea-bags. We don’t know how strong we are until we are dropped into hot-water!
And how beautifully we can bloom.
Until next time, I’m off to make some tea. And do share with me how you take ‘me time’ and slow down.
Stay fabulous,
PS By the way, the glass teapot is from the lovely people at Adagio Teas. Click here to get yourself one. (And no, I’m not affiliated, I just really enjoy their service and products. Which reminds me…I’ve some Jasmin Phoenix Pearls. Gotta go…tea is calling. Stay fabulous!
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