Felici*Tea

Tea Time is a quarterly (February, May, August, and November) reflection on various qualties.

fe*lic*i*Tea /fəˈlisədē/ n. 1. intense happiness, bliss 2. an eloquent expression for one’s thoughts. 3. a tea party with friends (including favorite authors who articulate your thoughts).

Happy faces welcome us with the warmth of sunshine, like a formal tea party. Tables set with fine linens, flowered porcelain cups neatly seated on saucers, and crystal platters ladened with scrumptious treats and savory finger sandwiches, the bright aroma of Lady Grey, these evoke a pleasant mood. Tea parties make me smile.

I smile at well-turned phrases that give voice to my feelings, emotions that extend beyond my ability to articulate. And there, as I sip an afternoon cuppa and read, the author reads my heart and lightens my countenance with bliss.

Do you ever smile at strangers? I do. I love watching their faces light up in response. Sweet sisters, remember, a smile is an instant, painless facelift that everyone can afford. No one wants a pessimist to bring them down. We hunger for the optimist who’ll lighten our load and brighten our day with a positive perspective. Smiling at people is like responding with kind, encouraging words when someone speaks carelessly.

I’ve spent a lot of time on both sides of a cash register. Sometimes cashiers and customers alike go through tough days. We all wake up to the wrong ringtone once in a while. A pleasant word and well-spoken empathy provide a balm to wounded souls. Smile begets smile as grace begets grace; grins beget giggles when felicity dances into a room.

“A merry heart does good, like medicine,” Proverb 17:22 

The happiest people discover felicity even in difficult places. Good news sparks felicity. When the assault on Ukraine started, news of my friend’s children and grandchildren escaping the country made my heart sing. Felicity hides in the darkness and springs upon us in the strangest circumstances. Many are the happy places of those prone to felicity.

Where do you find intense happiness? Many women find it after the hard work of labor as they hold a precious new soul; birthdays are felicitous events. I love celebrating anyone’s birthday, especially mine (it’s this month!). My closest friend will attest to the truth of this statement. They have kindly indulged me on a few occasions, traveling hundreds of miles to join me in celebrating both my 50^th and 60^th birthdays. Their presence gifted me with more joy than any material present ever could.

Sensational sounds, sights, tastes, and smells conjure felicity at times. Warm sunshine on our arms, the aroma of fresh bread, a favorite song on the radio, chocolate melting in our mouths (unless you’re like my niece, Jessica. She hates chocolate).

Nobody feels happy all the time, and intense happiness is rare. Yet, the luster of those experiences sustains us through dreary, dismal times. The light we leave going into the tunnel promises to wait for us on the other side.

Think about your most felicitous moments. Chances are these resulted from things true and lovely. The things Scripture encourages in our meditations.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Happiness comes and goes. However, reflecting on our felicitous moments cultivates the fruit of joy. Let’s take a moment and praise God for our favorite things and all our happy places.