Hi,
I'm Kristen and this morning I'm going to guide you along a mindfulness exercise in relation to savoring and being present by drinking your warm cup of morning brew.
This is an exercise that after listening to for a few times,
You'll be able to naturally sink into the mindful flow of steps on your own each morning.
So often this cherished personal ritual is rushed or consumed in a state of distraction by scrolling on our phones or driving in our car already consumed with the stressors of our day.
By taking this short moment to be mindful while consuming your morning tea or coffee,
You are gifting yourself with an important and beneficial pause before you move into your day.
A moment of peace,
Comfort,
Enjoyment,
And reflection.
But most of all,
You're filling up the cup of yourself to fuel you for what lies ahead today.
To start,
Take the time now to create the morning brew of your choice,
Paying attention to each of the steps.
If you've picked up your beverage out,
Simply reflect on the ritual of how it was made during the beginning portion of this mindfulness exercise.
Start by selecting the container or mug you want to use.
Recognize if you have a favorite you use daily or if it changes by your mood or season.
For today,
Choose a cup or mug that is not a travel container.
Take a moment to reflect on why you love this mug so much.
Does it have a memory?
Did someone special gift it to you?
Is it simply beautiful to look at or feels good in your hands?
Moving into the ritual of creation of your morning brew,
Pay attention to each step in the process.
The warming of the water,
The opening of your tea or coffee pre-brewed.
Take a moment to smell and inhale,
Taking in the aroma of whatever you are going to brew.
How would you describe the aroma to someone else?
Take another deep inhalation of the dry mixture and then move into fusing the ingredients together with the heated water.
From the water pouring through a loose tea filter into a teapot to a well-crafted espresso spilling out of the portafilter basket into the shot glass below.
Observe the sounds of your method of brewing,
The new aroma once water is added,
And the changing textures of the liquid.
With your brew and now in its raw liquid state,
Do you like to consume it just how it is in this state?
Or is there anything else you add to dress it up to suit your tastes?
Honey drizzled into your tea,
Creamer and sweetener blended into your coffee.
How do you make it your own?
Observe how your customization changes the aroma,
Texture,
And color of your brew.
Take the time now to pick a spot where you can sit comfortably,
Preferably free of distractions.
Place your phone away from you.
Turn off the TV.
Maybe go outside to sit in a spot in your garden that is made for enjoying this exact thing.
But rarely gets used.
Or place yourself next to a window where you can observe the natural elements of the outside world.
Settling in now,
Place your hands around your container of choice and close your eyes.
How are you feeling in this moment before taking your first sip?
If your morning brew was a magical elixir,
What would you wish for it to provide for you today?
Healing?
Strength?
Energy?
Comfort?
Cleansing?
Or just nourishment?
Take a moment to set an intention of what you would like to take in this morning while consuming your drink.
In your own timing and rhythm,
Take a few moments now to consume your first sips of your cherished morning brew.
Observing the warmth,
Taste,
And texture as you consume.
As thoughts arise in your mind,
Allow yourself to come back to the visceral experience of holding your drink and slowly consuming it.
Feel the texture of your cup or mug.
Look into the colors and how they change with consumption.
Do they grow richer or lighter as your drink starts to lower?
Allow yourself to close your eyes and take soft and slow deep breaths and just basking in the moment of being present.
Looking around,
Is there something in your space that delights you?
A favorite photo?
A candle?
A sleeping pet?
Art on the wall?
A natural element to the outside world?
Plants?
Flowers?
Trees?
Birds?
The morning sky?
Choose something in your immediate surroundings that brings you joy and take the time to study it and look at it while consuming your beverage.
Realizing in how the simplest things can bring us such joy.
Leaning into gratitude,
Is there something you're particularly grateful for this morning?
Close your eyes and take a sip during this moment of gratitude.
Take the rest of this time now to simply be present,
Savor,
And enjoy the moment of sacred pause you've gifted yourself this morning.
When you've consumed your last drop of morning brew,
Take a moment to reflect on how you feel after giving yourself this time this morning.
By feeling the cup of yourself,
You are now ready to move into your day,
Fueled with whatever you need to navigate it.
I hope you find the time to revisit this precious morning brew ritual and mindfulness practice each morning as the benefits will truly overflow into other areas of your life.
I would love to hear in the comments below what your version of your favorite morning brew is.
I personally am a tea girl,
Loose leaf tea with the collagen creamer,
And I have just a couple of mugs that are my favorite.
So please let me know about yours,
And I wish you a wonderful day.
