Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Teapot 2017

Watched several friends selecting a word or phrase to symbolize their approaching new year. I was struggling for some time to discover the word or phrase that had meaning for me. So I decided to put the thought on the back burner and just enjoy Winter Recess. Along with all the splurge eating, family visits, I also started walking again. I spent some time making a dent in the extra clutter that surrounded our lives in our apartment. While cleaning, I unearthed a clock that I was given years ago. The clock is in the shape of a teapot. Yes, back in the day, I collected teapots. Since we got married and wound up in smaller living spaces, I let most of my collection either go or some pieces are in storage. Seeing my teapot clock reminded me to make a nice cup of tea and curl up on the couch. There was quite some satisfaction in having a slightly neater area by "my spot" on the couch. There was some satisfaction as snow squalls swirled outside to sit on the couch with a nice cup of tea.

Thoughts began to swirl about the coming year. I began to realize that I need to take some time for me. There is a saying about you can't fill other's if your own cup is empty. So true. Yet so overlooked most of the time. With these thoughts in my head, I continued to make some additional progress on our apartment. I rediscovered another gem. A book I had bought for a friend and myself. Felt finding that book was sign. So I had to snap a photo of the cover.  The book was "The Twelve Teas of Friendship" by Emilie Barnes. It is a collection of ideas for various tea parties throughout the year. Each month has a new idea for a tea to try and a tea party concept to implement. Not that I will be hosting 12 tea parties this year. But taking a moment to focus on a different tea each month might bring some peace, calm and relaxation.

My concept, idea, thought, phrase for the year was beginning to brew. It still needed to steep for a little while.  I looked online for tea quotes. I began to find several interesting thoughts that others had regarding tea. So I began with my summary tweet:
"Need to get back to me.
Find the comfort, find the joy,
even when life boils -
patience will let it cool
My hashtag for the yr: "

My comfort through tea reminds me to take a step back, soak it all in, and enjoy. When things feel like they are boiling over, maybe it is time to breathe (and perhaps whistle) instead. I came across an image on the web that had a quote "There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation. - Lin Yutang" [http://www.notable-quotes.com/t/tea_quote.jpg]

Additionally, recently I read another post someone shared online that speaks to when we walk into our schools WE set the mood. I would much prefer to be a source of joy, love, peace, calm and happiness. This applies to both students and my colleagues. So if I make the effort for me, perhaps it will have a ripple effect for others. So I will drop a spoonful of honey into my teacup and see where it takes me this year.

I hope you will join me (either in reading or in drinking a pot of tea) this year. I have indeed chosen my hashtag. I hope conversations of #teapot2017 will spread some warmth for others as well. I know some days my meanderings will be about being the tea bag floating in the cup. Some days it will be about the loose tea leaves settling at the bottom of the cup. And some days it will be the steam rising from the hot pot. But I will try to find the joy and share those ideas both here and in #OurSTEAMCafe. Will you join me?