Thursday, March 06, 2014

Frustration or Compassion? In Tea and Life



When I brew tea poorly, my first response is frustration with myself.  "I've wasted this pot of tea!  I've wasted my time!"  I scold myself.  I'm quick to frustration and slow on patience.  But I'm trying a new approach... I ask myself, "Frustration or Compassion?"  

When I approach my poor brewing (a metaphor for life) in a compassionate way, I have permission to go a little deeper and explore slowly.  I'll ask myself why I was in a hurry, not paying attention, or lacking skills.  Do I need to make space for the tea and put aside distractions (be in the moment?)  Do I need to prioritize and focus on the other tasks and return to tea when I have the proper time for it?  Do I need more practice?  Is this a new tea, a new pot/bowl/gaiwan, a new brewing technique, etc.?
 

With compassionate thinking, I give myself gentleness.  Surely, if I can learn to do this with myself in my tea brewing, I can expand it to the rest of my life.  And from there, it's an extension to the world.

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for this post. I really need this in this season of trying to write a dissertation! xoxo

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  2. Beautiful images AND inspiration. (Be kind to Steph ... she's a friend o' mine!)

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  3. Angela, You make me smile!

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  4. You are so right. I know I need to be a little more compassionate in certain areas of my life.

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  5. This is just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you for this beautiful post.

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  6. Beautiful blossoms, but the thoughts here are so true. I must take this to heart too. I love being up before anyone in the house just so I can pay attention to the making of my morning tea. It is my quiet time of the day and I treasure the slow pace of it.

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  7. Great post! Struggling with some of this myself.

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