On Mugs

Do you have a favorite coffee or tea mug? I do. It's a simple pleasure that feels silly at times, though it shouldn't. I've spent many lovely, sunny afternoons (in the good ol' days) walking around street festivals in Ohio, Michigan, and Chicago perusing the handicrafts of traveling artists. I'm always tickled by the work of ceramics artists, potters, who put out not only drinking vessels, but vases, bowls, and other practical pieces. I've also spent a fair amount of money on them. The power of a street festival is greater than my self control.

There are a variety of factors that come into play with selecting a good mug: weight, how the handle compliments the curves of your palm and finger strength, and, of course, how it looks. I tend to go for quirky, colorful mugs or mugs with sassy quips on them. Though I'd love for that to be a holiday gift hint, please don't all jump on the opportunity to buy me a new teacup. 

Our collection of mugs is...perhaps, excessive. We've already donated a cabinet's-full of them to our local secondhand store. Those were hand-me-downs, old thrift shop picks from college, and cups that appeared as if out of thin air. The selections for donation included bland designs and logos for law firms and schools I didn't attend. (Again, where did they come from?) The remaining collection sports artisan-crafts (and online post-wine purchases) with figurines of dancing ladies, old-timey floral prints, funny jokes in bold text, and memorabilia from places visited. It's sort of a wild collection of misfit toys, and almost all of them remind me of a person, place, or experience. I get to start my mornings with a happy feeling, and I think that's a small step towards having a good day. I sip my (herbal) tea and journal every morning before breakfast. It helps me ease into whatever gets thrown my way.

Another thing that mugs bring me is comfort. No matter how I feel, I associate them with getting sick, since I tend to drink a ton of tea when I'm under the weather: Throat Coat and Ginger Turmeric are a couple of my favorites. I always get the sense that I'm protected as I wrap my fingers around the ceramic outer layer of the cup, feeling warmth run through my hands, and feel the soothing hot water ease my ripped up vocal cords or scratchy throat. It's a sign, or the memory of a sign, that healing is on the way and that everything will be fine. 

Perhaps that's too dramatic, but I think having good mind-body awareness is a worthy practice in mindfulness. It's something I've been working on pretty intensely this past year.

I'll include a photo of a few of my favorite mugs with this post. What do you look for in your breakfast beverage-holder? And what feelings or memories does this daily ritual conjure in you? 

Until tomorrow, stay well, stay safe, and stay kind.

Much love,
​c