by Dairne McLoughlin
Making my morning cup of tea is like saying a nurturing prayer. As I pour boiling water over the leaves, the aroma fills my senses, and that feeling of well-being surrounds me. The ritual of waiting patiently in silence as it steeps, then that first sip, ahh, comfort in a cup.
Holding a warm cup of tea in my hands is a hug I give myself. Sipping slowly, listening to bird songs and watching the sunrise, I smile as all of nature wakes up with me. I feel such gratitude for the nurturing that Mother Earth offers with no conditions. Pure love and joy.
Sitting at the kitchen table having a cup of tea with a friend, we share our grief, joy, tears, laughter, failures, successes and love. It’s comforting to sip and talk about our worries in such a chaotic time. We don’t have all the answers, although sometimes it feels like we do, but we certainly have ideas to share about the small acts of resistance we can participate in every day.
Those cups of tea have helped me realize that nurturing myself allows me to be available to others when they are struggling to find a way to make a difference in these chaotic and challenging times.
Over many cups of tea with community, revolutions have been plotted, planned, strategized, organized and solidified. Put the kettle on and let the resistance begin.
Dairne McLoughlin has been a Doctor of Oriental Medicine for 35 years. Dr. Dairne’s passions are sharing her knowledge with her friends and family, cooking for her community one small dinner party at a time, walking her dog in the Bosque, and riding her bike.