Tea is a garden for the human spirit to flower, a place of Gentle Influence, a place to Cultivate Relationship.

Tea lends itself so well to nurturing relationships—it’s the perfect spot to cultivate beautiful relationships.

Afternoon Tea can be a small space—like a garden is—for cultivating bonds, kinship, and companionship. It can become a safe space and set-apart time for growing and flourishing affinity and affection. It can be used to strengthen courage, bring comfort, and promote friendship and intimacy. However, it does require a sacrifice: time, attention, and intention.

“Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things.”  —HH Munro  

When we spend time with a person, being present to them, we value and honor them, bring sanctuary, and cause their life to appreciate. When another person wants me to tell them “hundreds of things,” this means I am important to them, and the time to listen to “hundreds of things” will be well worth it to them. How often does this happen to us? When was the last time someone asked you to pour yourself a cup of tea and say everything on your heart? When was the last time you did so for another person?

The sharing of one’s heart is a deep and basic human need.

Taking tea together lends itself to companionship, to the sharing of hearts. It is a quiet space, a shelter from the storms and hubbub of daily life. It is protected time to connect with someone, whether that be a few moments or maybe even a long afternoon.

“Bread and water can so easily become tea and toast.”

There is a cost, however. It is time and attention. To gift another with time and attention is to lavish value and honor on them. But, oh, how we value our time and attention! Why are we stingy when we can so easily be lavish and loving? What kind of memories will we leave behind us? Our stuff won’t remember us. Our activities won’t remember us. Only people will remember us. Only people will care.

Tea is truly a prime and endearing tool and so useful in the cultivation of that which makes our lives rich and meaningful—relationships.

Yours for the return of Grace, Civility, Beauty, Gentility, and Excellence,

Mary Alice Higbie