Saturdays are for Steeping


So, it's time for a word about "steeping."  Okay, a few words.  For those of you who are non-tea drinkers (and you know who you are) it is a word that may be foreign to you.  That's alright...just one of your charming foibles!  But even if you have never enjoyed a cup of well prepared tea, perhaps you have at least prepared one for someone else.  We are all familiar with the process...and if you don't think it's a process then, trust me, you've never had a good cuppa!  If you are the "fill a mug, throw in a Salada bag, and nuke it for 60 seconds" type, then you're going to have to use your imagination here. 


If you read the instructions on most boxes or tins of tea, you will see something like these words: "Warm your teapot or mug, bring fresh, cold water to a rolling boil, pour over tea bag or leaves, and let steep for 3 to 5 minutes, to taste."  Fairly simple, right?  It is. Yet, it contains some of the best words of wisdom we could ever bring to our lives.  Actually, it's all right there in those two little words..."let steep....let steep."  If you think of our lives as a pot of tea, you'll see how important these words become.  If we are the teabag, or better yet, loose leaves, and Life is the water at a rolling boil, then we understand that the whole point is about the two meeting and then, steeping.  Our mind, soul, spirit is the tea, and our life experience is the water poured over us, making us who we are, day after day, cup after cup.  And Life does hit us at a "rolling boil" most of the time, doesn't it?  That is why the steeping is so very important, and why it makes the pot of tea richer, bolder, and hopefully, something savored!  We are infused with Life--that is an unavoidable blessing.  But whether or not, and for how long, we let ourselves be steeped in our lives is up to us.  


Saturday is the day most likely to afford a few moments to steep--about your week, or any of the countless little moments that get you from one Saturday to the next.  Even if you're not a tea drinker, take a few moments (even 3 to 5 minutes is better than none!) and let yourself steep.  Let yourself slow down, be still, think, reflect---be steeped in the custom blend of your own life!  It doesn't taste like anyone else's, and you are meant to sip and savor it's uniqueness.  Go ahead, make a pot (or just a mug if you must) of tea...and while you're waiting for your tea to steep, think about how a few minutes can be so important, and so good for us!  Like a comforting cup of well prepared tea!  Enjoy!


Thanks for reading.  Let it steep!