Priya, what a lovely peaceful morning. We have a little bistro in our town where my friends often meet and the chatter is always comforting. The staff are my friends and are always cheerful with each other and the patrons. It’s a great way to begin a new day.
Love this scene of the senses. I am intentional that my day contain many micro rituals. The morning is my most important one. I wake up early and have something warm to drink, the actual drink has changed often lately. And then I move my body. Both pieces feel like a familiar way for my full self to come into the day.
Tanmeet, being intentional and anchoring my morning really helps with the day. I agree about the full self- the morning routine is a reminder about the the different parts, not just the anxious one that wants predictability. Thank you!
Love the (perhaps unexpected?) conversaion abou chai masala? A friend of mine blends and sells his out of his little shop called Aatma Curry House in NH. It is not my morning fulcrum, but when I add loose-leaf black tea in the afternoon, it's my afternoon fulcrum!
Emily, Aatma Curry House sounds great! I guess whenever chai is the topic of conversation, masala chai is close behind! I’ve given up afternoon tea and so the morning cup is very precious.
Besides the chai tea warm wake up call, your round and round earth orbits of birthday Cheesecake devours time as the persimmon tree fills with leaves to hide the neighbors ‘on vacation’ from your eyes. But I hope with the branches bent full with fall orange fruit, you will try a few and know that another orbit of the sun has arrived with the changes we all think about with our morning cup of warm water and tea of choice.
Thanks, Richard! I wanted to share that feeling of movement and being part of many dizzying circles at the same time. I like the Pac-Man like devouring of time!
This was lovely. I could see what you were seeing. We also have summer trees that give us privacy from our neighbors. I love seeing the seasons change but the winter means wondering if the neighbor can see us in our bathroom. Hehe.
I just love this essay. Such a lovely, quiet celebration of the routines that mark our days and seasons and years. I’m going to hold on to the idea that we have to keep arriving again and again.
LeeAnn, the theme of arriving again and again has been an eye-opener because it speaks to the uncertainty and open possibilities of life. Thank you for reading!
What a wonderful reading experience. I really enjoy reading how you capture your life and thoughts in words.😊
I often take long hikes. I tend to choose routes that go through 3 parks and an botanical garden. I sense time passing by observing the changing plants I pass.
Hajee, thank you for taking the time to read! The passage of time as seen in the natural world and the simultaneous cycles we’re part of is deeply fascinating. The parks and botanical garden walks sound awesome!
I love the persimmon tree eclipse, and I can smell the chai and cheesecake too—how lovely!
And I realize now, as I ponder your question, that I am missing fulcrums in my life. I too took to the road 3 weeks ago and I thought that’s why I feel adrift but there’s more to it.
I need to get back to my morning meditation, maybe add a walking meditation to have a thoughtful point of contact with the natural world I keep inside of me (since my surroundings change as I travel).
Happy birthday, Priya! I love how contemplative and calming this wonderful essay is. It's been such a pleasure reading your work and how it has been evolving. I wish you continued musings and muses, creativity and creation, support and love from others.
Your tea-making process sounds divine—there’s something about that mix of cardamom, ginger, and black pepper that makes me want to jump up and brew a cup right now. For me, my fulcrum is my daily yoga practice. Every morning, before the rush of the day begins, I roll out my mat and spend some time connecting with my breath and body 🧡
Mohika, thank you! For me, the black pepper is the magical ingredient! It seems to take regular masala chai into divine territory! Your morning yoga routine sounds very anchoring.
Priya, what a lovely peaceful morning. We have a little bistro in our town where my friends often meet and the chatter is always comforting. The staff are my friends and are always cheerful with each other and the patrons. It’s a great way to begin a new day.
That sounds fantastic, Mr. Switter!
Love this scene of the senses. I am intentional that my day contain many micro rituals. The morning is my most important one. I wake up early and have something warm to drink, the actual drink has changed often lately. And then I move my body. Both pieces feel like a familiar way for my full self to come into the day.
Tanmeet, being intentional and anchoring my morning really helps with the day. I agree about the full self- the morning routine is a reminder about the the different parts, not just the anxious one that wants predictability. Thank you!
Beautifully written!
Morning routines are being set up.. I do tetley ginger dip dip tea with turmeric and pepper for now :-)
Anu, morning routines are the best. A few years ago, I discovered Society masala chai and have not looked back. I can’t recommend it enough.
Love the (perhaps unexpected?) conversaion abou chai masala? A friend of mine blends and sells his out of his little shop called Aatma Curry House in NH. It is not my morning fulcrum, but when I add loose-leaf black tea in the afternoon, it's my afternoon fulcrum!
Emily, Aatma Curry House sounds great! I guess whenever chai is the topic of conversation, masala chai is close behind! I’ve given up afternoon tea and so the morning cup is very precious.
Beautifully evocative on a Sunday morning. Thank you Priya 🙏
Thanks, Dee! Appreciate it!
Besides the chai tea warm wake up call, your round and round earth orbits of birthday Cheesecake devours time as the persimmon tree fills with leaves to hide the neighbors ‘on vacation’ from your eyes. But I hope with the branches bent full with fall orange fruit, you will try a few and know that another orbit of the sun has arrived with the changes we all think about with our morning cup of warm water and tea of choice.
Thanks, Richard! I wanted to share that feeling of movement and being part of many dizzying circles at the same time. I like the Pac-Man like devouring of time!
This was lovely. I could see what you were seeing. We also have summer trees that give us privacy from our neighbors. I love seeing the seasons change but the winter means wondering if the neighbor can see us in our bathroom. Hehe.
Ha! That’s so funny!😀
Very evocative - felt like I was in the kitchen with you, smelling that delicious chai!
Thank you, Ramya! Glad to have discovered your writing!
I just love this essay. Such a lovely, quiet celebration of the routines that mark our days and seasons and years. I’m going to hold on to the idea that we have to keep arriving again and again.
LeeAnn, the theme of arriving again and again has been an eye-opener because it speaks to the uncertainty and open possibilities of life. Thank you for reading!
I appreciate it!
Lovely piece Priya. It’s admirable that a simple act of making tea was written about so beautifully!
Thank you, Shital! Writing is an integral part of my life and I’m always grateful for it
What a wonderful reading experience. I really enjoy reading how you capture your life and thoughts in words.😊
I often take long hikes. I tend to choose routes that go through 3 parks and an botanical garden. I sense time passing by observing the changing plants I pass.
Hajee, thank you for taking the time to read! The passage of time as seen in the natural world and the simultaneous cycles we’re part of is deeply fascinating. The parks and botanical garden walks sound awesome!
I love the persimmon tree eclipse, and I can smell the chai and cheesecake too—how lovely!
And I realize now, as I ponder your question, that I am missing fulcrums in my life. I too took to the road 3 weeks ago and I thought that’s why I feel adrift but there’s more to it.
I need to get back to my morning meditation, maybe add a walking meditation to have a thoughtful point of contact with the natural world I keep inside of me (since my surroundings change as I travel).
Thanks, Priya!
Thanks, Beth! I greatly appreciate your taking the time to read and share your thoughts!
Happy birthday, Priya! I love how contemplative and calming this wonderful essay is. It's been such a pleasure reading your work and how it has been evolving. I wish you continued musings and muses, creativity and creation, support and love from others.
Thank you, Nadia! It's been great to have your support and company! Thank you also for sharing it!
Thank you so much for your support, dear Priya!
Reading about your gentle morning ritual of making tea lulled me into a more peaceful state, Priya. Some very wonderful words. :)
Thank you, Michael! Part of the joy of writing it is sharing it with friends such as you!
Hi Priya, this is such a sensual piece. I was there in the room, cup in hand, soaking in the aroma and waiting for chai :)
Thank you, Karthik! I really wanted to experiment with introducing movement and detail. Appreciate your taking the time!
Your tea-making process sounds divine—there’s something about that mix of cardamom, ginger, and black pepper that makes me want to jump up and brew a cup right now. For me, my fulcrum is my daily yoga practice. Every morning, before the rush of the day begins, I roll out my mat and spend some time connecting with my breath and body 🧡
Mohika, thank you! For me, the black pepper is the magical ingredient! It seems to take regular masala chai into divine territory! Your morning yoga routine sounds very anchoring.
Peace peace ❤️
Paolo, thank you.