Category: Uncategorized (Page 73 of 159)

I’m not sure why most American’s don’t value a good cup of tea as much as the rest of the world. There are a few out there that do – no doubt. But they seem to be few and far between. Probably recent immigrants.

Coffee seems to be the vice of choice here in the states. And most of the time it’s slurped down while speeding around in our car or while frantically pecking away at our keyboard as we stare into the abyss of our screens.

What about the conversation? (In my best elevated British dialect) What about setting time aside for a spot of tea? I’m pretty sure wars have been won and peace has been made over a cup of English Breakfast. I’m almost positive the brilliant minds of the past have imagined life-changing innovations and inventions during “tea time.”

You mean we can’t stop down long enough to see the importance and significance of that? Sure we can. We all can.

It’s not just tea. It’s so much more. That’s like saying football is just about bobble-headed men running around a field with lines on it in tight pants tossing around a prolate spheroid ball.

It’s about slowing down and taking a step back to see the big picture. It’s about relationships with others and the Love one puts into maintaining a healthy one. It’s about perspective, planning, problem-solving and sharing. And relishing the moments in front of you. Tasting (literally and figuratively) the fruits of what life has to offer us. It’s about connecting, feeling and pushing through – but fully feeling – emotions.

It’s about tea. And you. And me.

When I hear some one ask me if I want some tea, I hear them saying to me, “Do you have it within you to slow down, take yourself out of what you’re currently doing and connect with me?

Whether I want the damn tea or not, I have to say “yes” to that. Who couldn’t?

But, what the hell do I know?

I’m just an American who likes tea. Specifically Green Jasmine Pearl.

I heard it be said that if you don’t Love the work, then bring Love to the work instead.

This makes sense to me as it’s a way of giving respect and taking pride in everything we do.

We may not Love cleaning the kitchen in our home, but we can certainly bring Love to the effort we put into it, as it’s important for me to provide a place where me and my family like spending time that fills me with joy and inspires me to be the best I can be. For me, that’s a clean kitchen and not a messy one.

We can choose to bring Love to everything and anything we want. The choice – once again – is ours.

We decided to head up to the mountains this last weekend and hit the slopes. We weren’t sure about the weather, but decided to take a chance anyway. I guess the truth is, I took several chances, if not many. Maybe we all do.

First of all my truck’s transmission is on the fritz – I decided to take it anyway. My tires are in dire need of being replaced as they are almost down to the “wear bars” – I took it anyway. The forecast was for high winds and snow mixed with rain because it wasn’t going to be cold enough for the fluffy stuff – We gave it a go anyway.

When we got up there the winds were blowing hard with gusts up to 45 mph. Because it wasn’t quite cold enough, it felt like bb’s hitting your face when you stepped outside of the car. We geared up and strapped in anyway.

We pushed through and rode extremely slow chairlifts that blew us sideways while riding them and took way too long to get to the top. The snow was soft and heavy and I couldn’t hold an edge.

By the time lunchtime came, our clothes were soaking wet and it felt like we’d all been in a rain storm.

We ate something hot and called it quits.

Am I glad I went? Of course! Without a doubt.

It’s better than a stick in the eye.

My eyes open in the morning and I have another day on this earth to choose to be the person I intend to be.

That’s enough for today.

Yaaaay! So grateful for this opportunity.

When we’re kids, it’s always time to play.

Due to the lack of responsibility we had, and the care our parents provided us – such as eating, clothing, shelter, etc., we didn’t have to worry about those things.

So, every moment of the day was an opportunity to play, explore, learn, laugh, dance and much more.

As we get older, the responsibilities begin to grow and somehow our perspective of life shifts as well. This is common and most necessary as we acquire the skills to become an adult and all that comes with it.

But, it doesn’t mean we can or should stop playing – whatever that means us. Maybe it’s sports. Or playing music. Maybe it’s playing with kids. It doesn’t matter. Play!

If you’ve forgotten how to do it, go watch some kids on a playground for 30 minutes. Or instead of sitting inside on the next family get-together with the adults, go in the backyard with the kids and watch them. They know what their doing.

It’s Playtime.