Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Tale of Two Coffee Makers: Wait for it

Your driving a car, thinking everything is just dandy, then you look at the speedometer and see that you are driving much faster than you should be. Speed sneaks up. We go with the flow around us and pretty soon everything is moving way too fast.
   This is an age of immediate results, lightning speed communication, high expectation. (check out this YouTube clip of Louis C.K.). SO all this brings me to my new coffee maker. It's a Keurig, and since I'm the only coffee drinker in the house, it's little "one cup under a minute" function is really cool, especially in the morning when it's a little harder to not spill coffee grounds all over the counter, pour water on myself, and then, heaven forbid, WAIT for a cup of coffee to brew. Ask anyone I know: they will tell you I love my new coffee maker. I also got a new french press coffee maker, which I also love. But why would I use that one if it takes at least 10 minutes total to get a cup of coffee?
    ... because sometimes the wait is just what is needed, whether we are aware of it or not. I once spent a weekend with some friends. As i sat sleepy-eyed at the kitchen table, wishing for some coffee, I see that my hostess with the mostest is hand grinding the coffee beans, boiling water on the stove, and then we will wait some more for it to brew in the coffee press. There was a part of me that didn't understand this. Why would you do all that work and then have to wait for the coffee? I have to say, the "child" part of me wanted my coffee and wanted it soon! But there was another part of me that always trusts that everything truly is in its place, and that part of me waited with that conscious trust. What happened when I got to taste that coffee? It was a heightened sense of gratitude, not to mention an appreciation for all that had gone into this cup of coffee.. I could actually TASTE the love and attention. One of the best cups of coffee I ever had.
    What my coffee makers (both the people kind and the machine kind!) have to teach me: sometimes it's efficient to have a quick cup of coffee, but sometimes it's in the waiting that we get to really experience the moment at hand. My new little Keurig will brew tea, too. But I don't think that will happen. For me, an afternoon tea break is just that: a break from activity, a waiting for the steep, a savoring of the flavor, and a mood of the moment.
   Take a minute to savor whatever you are doing. Drive a little slower, sip a little more, tangle a little more deliberately. When you wait for it, mmmmmmmmmm.

14 comments:

  1. LOVE this! (I also love my Keurig AND Lois CK!)
    Happy New Year, Carole - and thanks for the reminder to slow down and savor the moment!
    xos

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  2. Thanks for the reminder to be mindful.
    Cari

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  3. What a beautiful sentiment. Thank you so much for this!

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  4. Wonderful insights! Thanks. Enjoy your coffee and tea, whatever method suits the moment.
    --Margaret

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  5. Yes, sometimes waiting for a cup of coffee in the morning is just what is necessary. Other times it's a necessary evil.

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  6. Hi Carole I hope that you are going to teach Fengle at the Gellery on Jan 28th. That is soooo neat. Also, apparently good ole PayPal didn't use my new address when they sent you the particulars for the calendar. They have my new address, but it was sent to the old address is BVK. I just hope they will get it to me eventually. Looking forward to seeing you in Jan. I miss you guys. Suzi

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  7. Suzi, let me know if you don't get the calendar, and I will send another. Yes, we will learn Fengle (SO fun!) in the Tea and Tangles class on Jan. 28:) See you then!

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  8. I think the ritual of preparing coffee (or tea) is as important to us as anything. It reminds us where we are in our day and helps us enjoy our result. I say this as I sip my French press coffee:)

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  9. Enjoyed reading your very nice post, Carole.

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  10. Thank you for sharing this - I needed to hear it, especially with my new Keurig from Christmas. :o) Happy 2012!

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  11. My 94 year old Dad gave me a lecture on driving too fast, and applying my brakes too quickly. He said my car would last longer if I would just slow down. So being an obedient child of 64, I tried it and it's wonderful. I leave earlier, get to places on time, don't feel as rushed, notice more of the scenery, and will probably increase the chances of keeping my 2007 VW Beetle longer! Hooray!

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