Today

This morning I woke up before everyone else and sat in front of the already lit, warm fireplace. Rain pattered on the roof and porch. I just sat there in this coveted moment of solitude, of silence. A pause before the business of the day swooped in and rolled out before me like a river with an unstoppably strong current. Frantic thoughts pound their fists around the edge of this quietness, but I focus to breathe them away… for now. It’s in these moments I close my eyes and feel myself with blurred edges of body and spirit; a strange feeling of awareness that I am a visitor in this body.

I like drinking herbal tea in the morning, feeling that warm nourishment like a cascade of sunshine inside my body. Today, nursing a sore throat, I grate some fresh ginger into the hot water, thinking of its antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. I also add some Althea officinalis (marshmallow root) for its demulcent properties that calm a burning, sore throat. Honey is added as a final touch for its moistening and soothing qualities, and of course that sweet, full flavor. It was a great pot of tea. This small pleasure of making and drinking a pot of tea is so beloved to me. Again, a small pause in the day.

A quiet moment in the morning, a pot of herbal tea, driving in silence (no music or podcasts), parking further away from the grocery store to walk a little longer breathing in the fresh air. These small moments punctuate my day. They always bring an element of bliss, serenity, calm, even if just for the shortest while. Without them, the everyday violence of anxiety would grip her talons even deeper into me. How does a soft, sensitive soul live in this world, anyway? I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with finding small moments of beauty. “Put yourself in the way of beauty” Cheryl Strayed’s mom said to her. Truth.

And now I’m going to lay my head down on my soft pillow and let the relief of rest take over me. More beauty to be found tomorrow. Until then, sleep well.

Thank you for reding, Sarah xo