Chai Tea Latte

In March of 2021, just a little over 3 months after my Daddy had passed away, I packed my bags and headed to Cumberland Furnace, TN. I would be attending a 5 day individual intensive therapy session. I had no idea what I was doing, but knew it was what I needed to do.

During the lead up, I earnestly prayed for the Lord to prepare me, prepare whoever would be my guide for the week, & specifically begged that it not be a male. I, in all my lack of knowing, “knew I needed“ a female guide.

The Lord granted my first two requests, but turns out He knew better than me regarding the last. At the end of the first group session, clients began to be paired with their guide for the week. Names were called & before I knew it, all of the female guides were assigned. And there I was…the last one standing. Enter: male guide. Great.

Admittedly, I was disappointed. But I hadn’t come this far to start my time with disappointment. I laughed (maybe rolled my eyes at the Lord) & switched gears into trust.

Before heading into my introductory, individual session - I stopped by the break room & prepared myself a (failed) Chai Tea Latte. A warm cup of Chai Tea is basically a big hug to my heart. A reminder of the intense aroma that the PNW brings. It has a way to speak directly to my heart & remind me of that place I want to be. (Quick shoutout to Portside Coffee Company in Seattle with the absolute best Chai Latte I’ve ever had!) Also, I needed something to ground me - or distract my nervous hands - maybe if I was holding a hot drink, my nerves wouldn’t shake out of my skin. But, let’s definitely add caffeine…

My guide enters the room. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Here we go. Time to dig deep.

The older I get, the more I learn how moments of vulnerability or (over)sharing ’unnecessary’ details ends up opening doors or disarming people around you. Makes way for common ground, conversation, & shared experiences. At minimum, perspective. With this learned information, I tend to take more risks with people & let them in. I’d challenge you to try doing the same!

My guide walks in. Meet and greet. I’m asked what I’m drinking. My response: My failed attempt at a Chai Latte! Chai Latte’s are my favorite because they remind me of the PNW & I would love to live in the PNW! (Yes, overshare). But wait for it…

Guide: Oh, really? I grew up in the PNW. Portland to be exact.

Me: Stares. Jealous. What?! Why are you HEREEEEE?

At Onsite, you don’t have access to your phone - you are magically transported back in time, to the beauty of simplicity, being undistracted, & being fully present in the moment. Otherwise, I would have immediately grabbed my phone and started researching. What is this place called Portland?

I may not have had my phone, but I had set a mental reminder for the end of the week: Look into Portland.