Giving tea a fighting chance

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, for Christians it marks the beginning of Lent. It's the preparation for Easter and it's a time of penance and sacrifice in wait of Jesus's passion (death and resurrection). There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. This year I was thinking of leaving something I enjoy as this act of penance, and my mind kept saying why don't you try leaving chocolate, or diet coke, why not bread? and way in the back of my mind someone was saying... ANYTHING BUT COFFEE!! YOU NEED COFFEE! So after a few days of this internal dialogue it was clear to me.. it HAD to be coffee. If you know me at all or if you've read my blog, I LOVE COFFEE! I desperately need it to start my day, this last month I've been adding an extra espresso shot! It helps me get focused, I've become addicted to the caffeine, the flavor, the routine of having it everyday. Some years ago I had it occasionally, then my daughter was born and my waking days became 24 hour long, so I needed a way to stay awake. I tried drinking coffee and I was hooked. I couldn't leave it not even for my second pregnancy, although I will say I had decaf.

So since yesterday I have gone sans coffee. Yesterday I made the huge mistake to substitute my morning coffee with chamomile tea (stop laughing, seriously) I thought tea will now get a fighting chance with me because I can still have my hot beverage in the morning, but CHAMOMILE! I was falling asleep by 11 am!! So I'll be trying different things, it'll be fun (I hope) if not, it'll be only for 40 days and it will help me step out of my comfort zone and re examine this addiction (as Kathy said, it IS a drug!) and the most important thing is I'm offering this small sacrifice and this is important to me. I wanted to share this and blog about it because telling others about it makes it a serious promise. Now I will have to keep it! no matter what.

Of course I could cheat and no one would know, only I would know... and of course, God would know, and I would feel terrible.

So, today is day 2 and I'm doing ok... I think.

Comments

[Katie]

Oh Rosa, I made the exact same lent resolution a few years ago. It was tough, but I made it. I got the worst stomach ache on Easter when I drank a huge coffee :). Good luck. I know what you are feeling.

[Kathy L]

Rosa

I kicked the coffee habit about a year ago and now I may have one cup (with caffeine) per week. If I want a cup because I am with friends or something..it is decaf. I still LOVE my coffee but I decided it is something I can go without and savor it when I do have a cup.

Try organic white tea with a little honey...to die for. Also green tea is very healthy for you.

Love the commentary. My lenten resolution this is to try to do the next right thing. Matthew Kelly's latest book sold me on the concept. So I hope this will make me think twice about getting angry over stupid stuff!

K

[tanaya]

Hot Chai.with a little honey and a little half & half. That is the only thing that has ever gotten me through coffee-less days.

It is pretty yummy. Still not coffee, but yummy nonetheless.

good luck, love!

[Rosa Murillo]

thanks for all the support and yummy alternatives! believe me, I will try them all!!

[Carla]

Rosa,
here is a beautiful poem for you to inspire your tea drinking ;) love love love your blog and found art...getting my courage together to join in: have to break through the *resistance* :)~Carla


Drink Your Tea.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axis
on which the world earth revolves -
slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future;
live the actual moment.
Only this is life.

- Thich Naht Hanh.