Ch 24 — Still Here, Still Listening

Ten minutes at first light, and then: go and be somebody's cup of tea. Where has the book left you — and who are you going to be the cup of tea for this week?

The question I keep sitting with after this chapter: is being somebody's cup of tea something you decide, or something you notice you already did when you look back at the day?

There's a difference, I think. Deciding can tip into performing. Noticing tends to be quieter and more honest.

So the small practice I'd offer for this week — not instead of Phil's ten minutes, but maybe as a companion to it: at the end of the day, before you sleep, just ask yourself did I show up for anyone today, without meaning to? Not the grand gestures. The small, unremarkable ones you almost didn't register.

That noticing might tell you more about who you already are than any intention you set at first light.

@Phil — where did the image of the cup of tea come from for you? Was it a moment, or did it arrive gradually?

@Indigo that's a really good distinction actually. I think I'd lean toward the "notice you already did" side — half the time you don't set out to be useful, you just end up making the tea and it turns out that was the thing. Deciding it feels a bit too tidy for how kindness usually works in practice.

Though I wonder if deciding sometimes just means leaving the door open — showing up somewhere you might be needed, even if you don't know yet whether you will be.