"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” Henri Nouwen"
My friend and I were in a new neighborhood and discovered a hidden gem—an exquisite Ethiopian restaurant. The staff warmly greeted us and extended a sense of unhurried hospitality. We were served the most amazing "Shai" or "Chai," a spiced tea made with black tea leaves boiled with a mixture of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.
My friend and I continued our conversation and co-worked in the restaurant and were not rushed. We were fed and had the place to ourselves. It was an afternoon gift. This unexpected pause, this moment of waiting, became a metaphor for life itself. In the quiet moment, we unearthed a treasure—a reminder that waiting isn't merely a delay, but an opportunity for serendipity. It's in these moments that new directions reveal themselves—hidden gems awaiting our patient exploration, We found joy.
The Ethiopian tea we savored wasn't just a drink; it was a catalyst for a deeper realization—a testament to the beauty found in the unhurried, the unexpected, and the undiscovered.
As we journey through this season of waiting, let’s embrace the joy. For it is in these pauses that we might stumble upon the most exquisite moments, the most extraordinary paths, and the most beautiful experiences—much like finding an enchanting Ethiopian restaurant tucked away in an unfamiliar neighborhood, where time stood still, and the joy of discovery unfolded over a meal and a cup of tea.
”In a world that often seems to steal our joy, let us fiercely protect and nurture it as an act of self-care and resistance.”Cole Arthur Riley