I’m sitting here with a cold cup of coffee this morning. Sorry, tea, my migraine requires coffee. Coffee’s cold because it takes me a while to finish a cup of coffee. During this one cup, I’ve practiced yoga, did a guided meditation, spent time in prayer and journaling, put lavender in the diffusers, talked to Mister Burke, and played with Lily.

How are you? How are you finding calmness and joy in your time at home? Let’s interact! Comment below or on Tea With a Cup of Grace’s Facebook page with any fun, creative, active, or calming ideas. Share how you’re spending quarantine.

I’ll start. First, a confession. Confession’s always good for the soul, right? At least that’s what they say. But, really, who is “they?” Anyway, my confession. I’m an extreme introvert. I need and crave alone time and silence. Alone time and silence isn’t happening right now at Burke’s on Broadway. We’re all home–together–every minute of every day. There’s this wooden quote on the windowsill above the kitchen sink. It reads, “Love grows best in little houses.” And, I believe it; I really do. At least on ordinary days. But the incessant togetherness in this wee blue nest is tough and hasn’t always been so lovely. Three days ago, I made him cry. Because this isn’t a situation I can control or a situation of ideal perfection, I have to make the choice to make the best of this time. Embrace the imperfection. Create happiness.

Ways we’ve created happiness, sanity, and peace:

• Taking long walks–we make it into an educational scavenger hunt for Lily
• Getting Chick-Fil-A via drive-thru and eating at the park
• Watching Cincinnati Zoo’s At Home Safari
• Playing board games
• Creating art and crafts
• Painting inspirational rocks and placing them around town to inspire hope
• Searching for spring flowers–and picking some in our yard
• Making pot after pot of tea
• Playing music and dancing
• Reading–all kinds of genres
• Awaiting our little chicks to hatch (they’re due to hatch in a day or two!)
• Spending time reading Lent readings in candlelight
• Sharing humor
• Making mud pies
• Taking naps
• Watching Miss Bentley play with her enrichment treat toy
• Visiting our hen house–Gertrude is always a delight, but now there are 2 ducklings to visit, and a new rooster! They are such fun.
• Sending mail and care packages to brighten others’ day
• Journaling

Today, I inspire you to choose joy. Turn off the news for a while and turn on some music. Dance. Sing. Worship. Clean an area of your home you’ve been neglecting. Smile. Then, sit down with a cup of tea. Breathe long, slow, deep breaths. Write a letter (or craft a card!) and send joy to someone else. Call someone and be a breath of fresh air to that person. Read a few lines of a new book, or better yet, read the entire book. Cook a healthy meal using your creativity and enjoy eating together. And before bed, sit with a cup of herbal tea, add a drizzle of honey, and breathe. Reflect on your beautiful day.