A Word for the Week

 “There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.” ~Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living

This past week I have thought a lot about not hiding my light and being authentic to who I am.

Contemplation, listening, and accepting myself has been on my plate and in my mind. I listened to two young women on a live chat talking about being authentic. It made me happy to see young women thinking on these things, it gave me hope for the future.

They talked about having respect for themselves and others. Paying attention to where they fit in and not adjust who they were just to fit there. They talked about sharing our passions, joys, and stories; then realize that each of us is "enough".  We don't need to perform, but honor the "stillness" in ourselves. And above all share your authentic self with honesty and kindness. Accept our differences and believe in who we are.

Choosing yourself first, treating yourself with this honesty and kindness we can then give honesty and kindness to others.

You see in each picture there is tea.

For me tea is about ritual with the picking what tea to drink each day, making the tea, holding in my hands to contemplate, savor, notice, and hold the silence in that very moment. It is a healthy addiction, one that frames my day. It leads me in honesty and kindness to myself and then to share with others.

Thanks to the ladies on grasspeopletree.com for having thoughtful conversations that inspire me, teach me, and confirm my life passages. I am thrilled for the next generations of women, thrilled for my daughter, thrilled for the women that will come in my grandsons life of the future, and thrilled to have a women vice president helping to lead our country and live by example to other young women.