Tea talk

Having attention to this moment keeps us in this moment. But that's hard. We generally do(or at least I do) a hundred things at once. And then wonder why nothing gets done or feels like it got done or made us at all happy. Breathe. Notice. Patricia Madsen in her "Improv Wisdom" writes:

"Some art forms build in the idea of paying attention to what is right in front of us. Those who study the Japenese tea ceremony learn the concept of 'tea talk'. Guests know that inside the teahouse one must speak only of what is inside the house. Even polite discussion of the news, social or political events or personal issues is forbidden, including complaining about the heat or mentioning any discomfort. Instead, the guest is invited to pay attention to the detail of what is present at the moment--the scroll in the alcove, the flower in the vase, the kind of sweet that was chosen to be served along with the bitter, frothy green tea. What is spoken is meant to be a reminder of the unique character of the event. The tea saying, Ichi go, ichi ei means "One time, one meeting". This particular gathering will never happen again. Live it now. Savor the detail."

Or as my friend Amanda Whisner said, "What happens in Vegas , stays in Vegas!" Same thing.

Ichi go, Ichi ei. See? Now you know some Japenese! What??? You have an itchy eye??