Perfectly imperfect

an exercise of mindfulness in the process of making a pot of tea

My day has just started. It is Tuesday and one of my most favorite things to do is to prepare my tea in the morning. More than anything, this begins my practice of mindfulness each day.

I bring the water to a boil. I take my thermometer and wait until the temperature is roughly around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Genmaicha is my tea of choice this time of year. It is my favorite of all Japanese teas, although I would not say no to Gyokuro or Sencha, Genmaicha tends to be my go-to because it is also more affordable for daily consumption.

I carefully scoop about three teaspoons of Genmaicha into my teapot. That makes at least three tiny teacups of deliciousness. Then, I carefully lift my kettle to pour the hot water inside my perfectly imperfect teapot.

the debut of my new teapot!

I love quietly observing the unfurling of tea leaves in hot water. To me, it is a visual signal that the leaves are now infusing their flavor and it is a feast for the sense of smell too! The familiar and calming green tea scent combined with the nutty roasted rice aroma. I have written about my Genmaicha fascination a few posts ago. Excuse me if it sounds repetitive today.

Since I like strong tea, I tend to wait for at least 4-5 minutes before I pour myself a cup. Before taking a sip, I take time to savor the smell of it to engage my senses. Taking in all of the sensory stimuli involved in the process of making and drinking tea, for me, is a form of paying respects to the sources of all of its ingredients. An homage to Mother Earth, the source of it all. It is also an appreciation for the love that the farmers and tea masters have dedicated to produce this batch of tea leaves and rice that ended up inside my yunomi.

Isn’t it marvelous to slowdown and appreciate the simple goodness that life has given us? We do not have to wait for something grand to rejoice about our existence. Life is worth honoring even through the process of tea-making. Everything deserves a celebration, even if it is just the unfurling of tea leaves inside our pots. And yes, this life is marvelous even in its perfect imperfections.

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How about you?

❓What tiny details have you noticed today?

🍵 Have you ever observed the unfurling of tea leaves in hot water?

🔄 Restack and tag me with your answers.