During my career so far in the tea industry operating a modest brick-n-mortar shop, I have seen tea do some amazing things! And that may be an understatement. From healing, to peace making, to uniting, to comforting, to creating life memories. This has expanded my appreciation and absolute love for this beautiful plant even further.

Countless customers (a.k.a. tea family) have come through our doors in an effort find something they can do to relieve, improve, counteract, and affect health issues going on. Now while federal regulations impede us to make any claims regarding tea’s benefits, personal experience (not to mention thousands of worldwide scientific studies) show time and time again that this herb is a gift from Nature that can be utilized in our daily lives.

Not only does tea have an effect on the physical body, it has a way of nurturing the soul just as deeply. Tea has a time all its own. I’m not just talking the British tea time here, but the ‘speed’ of tea is different than most the rest of our hectic lives trying to keep up. Tea slows us down, brings our attention to the present moment, gives us some breathing room to recharge. More and more as life spins faster, I see the need for tea time to feed the spirit and experience some peace. And when we are in a state of peace, that has a ripple effect out into the world. It carries a vibration that can touch our family, friends, community, and further.

I have also seen tea bridge gaps that otherwise would not connect. This brings the vivid awareness of a world community—humanity—into my consciousness. Crossing the borders of race, age, sex, preferences, finances, and culture. That is a bridge. You don’t have to speak the same language to share tea.

Tea has a magical way of touching lives physically, mentally, spiritually. It is multidimensional. You may start drinking tea for one reason, and then find yourself enjoying it for many others. For me, tea has become a way of life more than I could have ever imagined several years ago. I enthusiastically look forward to seeing what experiences continue to bless my life as a result of tea!

Sure, January is the time for football playoffs, ice skating, and cozy fireplaces. It’s National Get Organized Month, National Financial Wellness Month, and National Oatmeal, Soup, and Hobby Month (not all those together though). But did you know it is also time for hot tea?

January is National Hot Tea Month.  So get out your kettle, your tea pot, your mug and do some celebrating with beautiful tea leaves. What better way to keep to those New Year’s resolutions for your health than making tea an everyday enjoyment. Besides being one of the healthiest beverages around, it’s hydrating, calming, soothing, warming, nurturing, as well as being a perfect opportunity to be mindful in a moment. Those of us who are totally enthralled with the splendor of tea honor it year round. However, I think it’s pretty cool that hot tea gets “recognized” in January, encouraging folks to take time to celebrate all the ways tea enriches our lives.

Oh, I think it is also noteworthy to mark your calendars for January 21st which is National Hugging Day! Like tea, you can’t have too many hugs. (It happens to be my mom’s birthday as well; big hugs to you Mom!)