A Tea Ritual for Gratitude at Thanksgiving

A tea ritual can be about ceremony...about holding certain traditions dear to your heart and soul and repeating them in a way that grounds you to their meaning. A tea ritual can also be simple, about small intentional moments that invite you to center yourself, focus your thoughts and block out distractions. During Thanksgiving, when America pauses to be grateful, incorporating a tea ritual into your celebration can be a memorable way of inviting gratitude into your home and your heart.

There are many ways to cultivate a sense of gratitude in your home. Tea rituals are a non-traditional experience that allows participants to break away from routine and create new paths to peace, joy and thankfulness.

We suggest starting with Soul Revival, our fair trade and organic black tea from Assam, India with our organic chai spices: cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, ginger and clove. From there, start by turning off cell phones, televisions, computers and any electronic device that could interfere with a few moments of quiet peace and contemplation. Invite each person to sit comfortably on the floor and simply be still. Take deep breaths, listening as your lungs do their work. Ask each person to share one thing they are grateful for, then sit for a moment in silence and allow gratitude to wash over your body and fill the room. Everyone sips their tea, taking a moment to thank warm water and the leaves that unfurl to soothe and heal your body and soul.

Invite each person to speak the affirmation aloud together:

“My body is healthy; my mind is bright;

my soul is at peace; I am thankful.”

Encourage a day of mindfulness, where simple tasks are intentionally noted for their meaning, and not simply as a habit, repeated automatically and without thought.

Washing dishes after a meal is an act of gratitude for the meal that strengthened and the people present who offer joy, support, and friendship.
Eating dessert is done with mindfulness, allowing your senses to savor each decadent bite and being thankful for the sweetness that accompanies moments in life like silver linings tucked away for us to find.
Favorite music playing in the background is a chance to dance - turning normal daily activities into an artistic expression of joy.

Whatever ritual you choose, we encourage you to set aside time to break from the mold of hustle and bustle - to stop and welcome peace to the forefront...a peace that is always present but seldom acknowledged.

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