Recently I was part of a discussion group about simplifying our lives while concentrating on one task at a time. Part of that process was to let go of those activities, relationships, or work habits that complicate our lives and literally waste our time because by attempting to maintain them, we are losing what is most or more important. Simplification is not an easy task. There are decisions to be made, however, once that has been accomplished we can concentrate on carving out a little time for those relationships or activities that do enhance our lives.
By letting go of those complicating factors we are actually gaining time and space to fill with more fulfilling behaviors. Taking a few minutes on a regular basis to set aside for yourself, be it for tea time, reading a book, or just admiring your gardens, is refreshing. I do try to set aside a regular tea time at least two to three times per week. I look forward to it. I will make up some little tea sandwiches in the morning and maybe even make a cookie or little tea cake for the occasion. Sometimes I have friends drop by, often I am on my own, sitting in my reading corner or at the dining room table admiring the wildlife that populates my back yard. That brief 30 minutes or so truly enhances my day and energizes me for the rest of the afternoon. I do keep a current read nearby and sometimes get caught up in the pages and extend my time a bit, but I am concentrating while relaxing and it is intentional. I plan it. 
My conservatory tours do that as well. This cactus garden for example is very old. It has been in this spot for decades. I will need to see exactly how long when I ask a docent. One can get lost in this place, pleasantly, consciously, lost. While I strongly believe that planning for our future is essential, one cannot worry and stress about things that haven't happened yet, or likely will not occur.
Researching your desires and goals, learning how you can put into place those aspects of your life that enhance rather than detract while developing a plan to achieve that, is the key to setting up a new habit, one you will enjoy and look forward to. Tea time can do that for me. Choosing a favorite pot and cup, selecting the perfect tea for the day as well as the occasion is one of those special times where I purposely fulfill that promise to myself.
- Accepting that we cannot do everything we want or be everything to everybody is an important step in the simplification process.
- No matter what decade of life you are in and what the challenges are within that life, by simplification, making decisions will help you to move forward to better tailor your life to nurture what fuels you. (*Shannon Ables)
- Time with our pets, our sewing machines, our needlework, or even our tea time will add joy to our days.
- How do you savor your "life minutes?"
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