Cultivating Generosity

"When you give to others, it should be that you are subtracting from yourself.
But in this incredible way, you give and then, in fact, you are making space for more to be given to you."
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy

Beauty of a Brook
Sitting next to a flowing brook is a calming experience.

     Sunlight sparkles... in its ripples.
     Low, music twinkles... as water passes over stones, branches and undergrowth.

Without movement, the experience would not be beautiful.
No?

It is in:
     The Transmission...
          The Conveying...
               The Receive & Release...
That water at each point in the brook is compelling.

I am learning that we are the same.
Beautiful + Compelling
When we give what we have received.

And, in doing so... we are:

Refreshed + Cleansed + Renewed.

Mutual Benefits of Generosity
"The reward centers in our brain light up as strongly when we give as when we receive. Sometimes even more."  -The Book of Joy

For me, there is no greater joy than welcoming children to my farm.

According to the 2015 World Happiness Report, generosity is associated with better health, and longer life.
 

"My favorite part about it was eating your scrumptious, frumptious, yumptious... okay you get the picture, dried fruits."
-Ben, 3rd Grade, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork.
Who wouldn't melt after such an appreciation? 

The Gift of First Coffee
"If you have little, give your heart." -Arabic Proverb

In childhood, Author Robin Wall-Kimmerer explains that mornings on her family camp trips included the ceremony of "First Coffee."

Her father would pour the family's first cup to the earth as an offering of honor.

What have I to give?

*confession: sometimes I feel "I have little to give."
In truth, I am learning: 

It's not the gift,

but the honor with which it is given
that holds most value.

And so...
My offering to my fields? Evening Harp Music. 

Each love-note infused into your teacup.

Sunlight: A Teacher
For eons past & future, our sun has simply shined.

All. Life. Benefits.
   Plant grows.
      Berry ripens.
         Tea-drinker nourished.
And yet, the sun's energy is not diminished by our use of it.

Sunlight is a reminder to me:
My generosity creates impact
... beyond what I can observe.

My Job: Release + Trust.
My Offering: My tea. To You.
My Trust: A Benefit. 
Far greater than I ever need know.

We Receive What We Give
More than anything, I have recently come to understand deeply how I receive that which I give.

A smile... genuine... is always returned.
A song.
A prayer.

A moment of peace over your teacup.

"Your infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine.
Ages pass, and still you pour, and still there is room to fill."
-Rabindranath Tagore, You Have Made Me Endless, Gitanjali

Dear Tea Drinker,
Thank you for your generous support of my business.
As you do, so many others are nourished.

As always: 

Thank you 

I'm honored to be your herbal tea farmer. 

Be well,
Shannon