The other day, I dropped by my friend Tomas's house for a visit. I had been running errands and was a little frazzled from the to and from of running around, so I was very pleased at the prospect of enjoying a cup of tea and a good chat with Tomas.
When I arrived, Tomas welcomed me graciously into his home. Sitting in his kitchen, I watched Tomas put the kettle on the stove and drop several spoonfuls of tealeaves into the teapot. Just seeing this, I felt myself calming down, and as he set a steaming hot cup of good English tea before me, I felt my whole body begin to really relax. We sipped our tea and chatted for a bit, and by the time I left Tomas's house, I felt refreshed and invigorated. The errands I had run earlier didn't seem like such an ordeal after all.
On my way back home, the thought came to me why the ritual of afternoon teatime is so important. It provides relaxation and rejuvenation. The preparation and enjoyment of a nice hot cup of tea has a physical component as well as an emotional and mental one. It soothes the spirit, calms the mind, and refreshes the body.
Think about it for a moment. The hot tea quenches your thirst. But you don't gulp down a hot drink, you have to take the time to sip it. This act helps to shift your mental and physical processes from a state of high activity to a quieter one. Plus, the process of heating the water, putting the leaves in the cup or teapot, and steeping them can bring you into a calmer frame of mind. And the company of a friend makes the tea experience even more pleasant and fulfilling.
I hope you will try an afternoon tea ritual of your own. And if you are already in the habit of enjoying an afternoon cup of tea, maybe my thoughts will give you a new appreciation for the process.
