When I was growing up, weekend afternoons, when not spent running errands or going on outings, were reserved for “quiet time.” In retrospect, “quiet time” was undoubtedly a ruse that gave my parents some alone time with each other. For me, it was time to play in my room, building towers with blocks and legos, dressing up our very tolerant cat in a bonnet and placing her in my baby buggy for a ride around my room, drawing pictures, and simply enjoying pretending of all kinds. The world I grew up in was – thankfully – a world with very few electronic devices. There was a TV, but it was inaccessible to me, hidden as it was on the top shelf of a closet in my parents’ bedroom. Downstairs, a radio and a record player rounded out the selection of electronic gadgets. Laptops, tablets, smart phones – those words were not even in our vocabulary, their prototypes featured only in the futuristic world of the Jetsons.
Today, quiet times are few and far between – and sadly, most folks would agree. How often do you lounge around and do nothing? And by “nothing” I mean nothing – no electronics, just quiet contemplative time, perhaps in the garden or on a walk. It is much too easy to get swept up in the minutia of daily life, distracted by the beeps of incoming texts and emails, the ringing of phones, and the incessant Facebook and Twitter updates, not to mention doing laundry, cleaning, paying bills, cooking, and shopping. Even at work, quiet stretches of more than half an hour are a rarity. Non-stop meetings, an endless stream of emails, and questions and comments from all around make activities such as planning and thoughtful reflection nearly impossible.
Since high school, showers have afforded me moments of silence from life’s endless chatter as well as moments of insight. I still remember a hot shower delivering the answer to a thorny calculus problem during college. Showers, however, are not always a practical choice when respite is required from the surrounding frenzy. Hot water in the form of a cup of tea is the perfect alternative.
This past Thursday, my luck ran out and I had to report for jury duty. My strong sense of civic obligation was rewarded by a quiet day of productive work away from the office. By the middle of the afternoon, I sensed something was missing. Why, of course! It was tea time. I made my way up to the window to let the staff know I was going downstairs in search of a cup of tea. Not surprisingly, the tea selections in the courthouse café were limited, but I did manage to find a passable Earl Grey and some hot water. The cashier seemed surprised when I tossed the tea bag after a short steeping, but I didn’t have the energy to seize the teachable moment. Smiling, I left quickly with the infused water and headed upstairs to the jury room. Seated once again in a comfortable chair, I set aside my work laptop and associated accoutrement and quietly sipped my tea. I could feel myself relax. One by one, little snippets of insight and creativity tested the waters and then plunged in. The minutia and distractions having left the pool, there was room for the more important stuff.
Photograph courtesy of the contributor
How right you are Erika. The world has changed into something almost unrecognizable. I love how you’re able to use tea as a soothing, relaxing, yet creative time. It reminds me of the early monks who used tea to help with their meditation – keeping them awake yet relaxed and mindful. We could all benefit from a daily ritual of tea time.
That’s funny, I grew up in the 80’s, but it was communist Romania, so we didn’t have any gadgets either!! I very fondly remember my quiet time too, but you know, you can still get it, quite literally, with earplugs! I totally do this, even at work– I’ll put in ear plugs when I have to get something done & can’t have any distractions. Matcha + earplugs are an amazing combination for crystal-clear focus :)
I hear you, Adela. Give me some Vivaldi Four Seasons and a cup of tea and I am ready to go at work (when I am not in all those meetings). :-)
Amen. Thanks, Erika! (ps: And I’m getting quiet time help from hummingbirds these days– have to sit and watch at least once a day… with tea, of course.)
Appreciated your thoughts on “quiet time”!!
As always your perceptions are focused and
intelligently presented ! Must be the tea :-)
Loved the photo of you as a little tyke!
At what age did you first start drinking tea?
John and I love tea but have had to eliminate
Caffeine — would appreciate your opinions
On what de- caf teas are good —
Do de- caf teas have the phytonutrients etc
that regular tea does ?
We used to love Japanese teas including
Matcha! We can still get green tea in a de- caf version at
local Japanese markets. Think I will do some gardening
this week and drink some tea while doing so!
Thank you, Evelyn! Frankly, I don’t remember when I started drinking tea, but I likely had a cup or two as a child. As for teas without caffeine, there are plenty of delicious tisanes (herbal infusions without true tea). Also, high-quality, loose-leaf true teas can be steeped multiple times and after a couple of steepings the amount of caffeine is significantly reduced.
Thanks so much Erika. !