No. 40 - A Cup of Tea and Unexpected Opportunities

With the approach of spring, knowing that it will take many hours to bring the garden back to life and wanting to have those hours to spare, I find myself pushing just a wee bit harder to keep my focus on the essential tasks at hand- blending, mostly. This week, however, was a beautiful reminder that, while keeping focus is important, serendipity can be magical. So, let’s take a moment together to pause, sip, and consider: what unexpected possibilities might be waiting for us?

Steep Calm & Watch for Opportunities

This past week, I had the privilege of participating in the Victoria-Westshore Soroptimist International’s Dream It Be It event—an inspiring day dedicated to helping young women explore their futures. It was a beautiful reminder that while having a plan is important, life often surprises us with opportunities we never expected. And sometimes, just like with tea blending, the smallest addition—whether an ingredient or a new experience—can elevate everything.

It is always my intention at this event to reinforce the idea that paying attention to the opportunities that rise around you is just as important as knowing exactly what path you want to take. I always tell them that, yes, you will need to set out on a path but to keep their eyes open for interesting offshoots. And while sometimes it will be but a detour, others may lead you somewhere entirely new and unexpectedly awesome.

This year was no exception. One young woman had a clear vision for her future complete with steps and an ‘end’ in mind, while another had no idea at all. To both, I said: “Fantastic!” They will have different experiences and take different directions, but neither will have a better or worse journey simply because they realized their path at different times.

The experience also serves me as an annual reminder to stay open to opportunities. When we become too focused on where we think our future should be headed, we can become blind to serendipity. I don’t know about you, but I can easily become single-mindedly focused. Staying focused only on tea blend proportions of A, B and C runs the risk of never finding out that adding a pinch of D takes it to the next level.

So, why not pause for a cup of tea, take stock of what truly matters, and, in increasing our mindfulness, reassess what is important to us right now? Perhaps by doing so, we might create more space to recognize new opportunities and live a richer, fuller life because of it.

Have a favourite tea that helps you take stock? Or a beautiful story of serendipity? Share your inspiration in the comments or join the conversation on social.

Because life is better when we Steep Calm together.

One more thing...

“Today, I embrace my potential to be, do, and have whatever I can dream.”
- Deepak Chopra, 21 Days of Abundance

Until next time,
Steep Calm,
Bree