night rituals...

  

There is something incredibly comforting about a nice cup of tea at the end of a long day. It's become a nightly ritual for me. Most nights before I go to bed I sit by my desk, reading blogs, buying new music, browsing the internet, reading books, writing letters or whatever else happens to suit my fancy at the moment... but whatever it is I'm doing, it is most definitely over a pot of tea. I have my little antique teacup & saucer a friend gave me from London and my requisite little pitcher of milk on my desk at all times. I've got stubborn tea stains I can't seem to get rid of and because of the late night dose of caffeine, I'm up til almost sunrise most nights. During the early morning I feel like I think the most clearly. Something about the calm silence, the glow of candles, and the welcoming isolation one gets in the early hours that just sets my mind aflame. Words from my mind flow from my fingers striking keys on a keyboard or fluidly maneuvering my pen on top of paper. This is when I write letters to my friends. This is when I write my stories. This is when I think about my life. This is when I feel most peaceful.

In the evenings, my dogs lie at the foot of my bed until I transfer them to their own beds before I turn in for the night (morning more like) and turn out all the lights. Although my dogs don't sleep on my bed overnight, they do get tucked in at the foot of it where they have a warm soft velour blanket waiting for them. I've tried having them sleep in their own beds directly but they seem to want to take part in my nightly activities. Being a spoiler rather than a disciplinarian, I really can't be bothered to put up with their cries. As long as they stay in their own beds when I go to sleep, I'm not going to fight their insistence on spending a few hours on my own.  

Apart from the nights when I do go out, this is my nightly ritual. Something about it relaxes and centers me. During these times I become grateful to the comforts of home. I reflect on my wants, my past, my present, my future. I take the time to remind myself what is most important to me. In the morning when I wake, I feel refreshed, ready to traverse the path that lies ahead of me.... comforted by the fact that at night, I have my pot of tea to warm me.