A Farewell Letter to Tea!

Dear Tea, I hope you are aware why I am writing this letter to you. Don’t feel bad. I am sure you will understand me and accept anything that is good for me. We met when my mom introduced you to me at the age of 6. Since then you have been with me every day, morning and evening! Somehow I used to hate milk then!

I have always been fascinated by your colour. One rainy evening while I was walking back home from primary school, I noticed some muddy water on the roadside. It looked so similar to you in colour and consistency that I had to simply make sure, and so I filled my water bottle with it and ran home. Mom had you ready for me, so I took out the water bottle and did a test of my hypothesis without her noticing it. I came to the ‘bitter’ conclusion that ‘all that glitters is not gold’!

You were with me throughout my school and college days. Years later after my marriage when I started managing my own home you were there too, and my husband joined in our sessions. Though the children did not fancy you we continued to keep in touch every morning and evening without fail. I have become so used to these joint sessions that I rarely can make more than 2 cups at a time. You know the trouble I have when we have many guests coming home.

Later I introduced Ginger and Cardamom to you, and together we used to have even more wonderful times. Whenever I saw you with someone, even in a movie, I felt jealous and possessive and used to miss you badly! And now, I am deciding to part with you. Not that I don’t love you. I am taking this decision based on my recent understanding of pranic energy.

Pranic means something that promotes life, derived from the root word prana. Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘life-force’ – the invisible vital energy that keeps the body alive and maintains a state of good health. The Japanese call this subtle energy ki and the Chinese, chi. According to Yogic Sciences, the food that we eat can be broadly classified into three categories:

• Positive Pranic
  1. Fruits
  2. Vegetables
  3. Nuts
  4. Sprouted grams/grains and lentils
  5. Dried/dry fruits

In this category, Ash Gourd and Honey are considered to be highly positive-pranic food.

• Neutral
  1. Potato (and its family)
  2. Tomato
• Negative Pranic
  1. Garlic
  2. Onion
  3. Asafoetida
  4. Chillies
  5. Brinjal (eggplant)
  6. Coffee / Tea
  7. Intoxicants

Garlic tops the chart as highly negative-pranic food. Garlic can be used as a medicine (for controlling cholesterol) but not as a daily food item!

I am easily able to avoid all the above negative-pranic food except you. I have been thinking of doing this for more than a year, but my efforts were in vain! I am sure you knew it all along. Now, I think I have made up my mind. Since I have given you a 3-month notice period, I hope you are not in complete shock. Even though I will miss you, I am looking forward to this new challenge and to starting a new chapter of my life.

I have enjoyed every bit of our life together. When I was cold you gave me warmth, when I was tired you gave me energy, when I was low you boosted my spirits. Even when I had left you for Coffee in between, you still loved me. You have been there for me no matter what. You have been by my side when no one else would, through the good and bad. Thanks for the care, support, and encouragement you have provided me all these years. It was really very pleasant sharing your company and lovely to have a friend like you.

I hope my leaving will not affect our relationship. Everything happens for a reason. I promise you, no one can ever take your place. You may be out of my sight but not out of my heart. I will always cherish the good times we had!

Your name will be engraved in golden letters in my memoir! Take care.

With lots of love and regards,
Your ever loving friend.

Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food ~ Hippocrates

Happy empty nesting 🙂