As a certified TEA expert I have studied the tea traditions and cultures from around the world. I have walked the tea fields in China, picked the tea with the female pickers, followed it into the drying and processing plants and sipped it in some of the finest tea shops in Beijing and Shanghai. This ancient beverage has been well-steeped in a history of spirituality,tranquility, and hospitality.
For years my message has been about self-empowerment in the ten minutes it takes to mindfully sip a cup of tea. www.TakeUpTheCup.com I will continue to encourage this practice as I move into what I believe is my true life purpose on this planet - to address this so-called obsesity crisis from the inside - out.
Obesity is not about nutrition and exercise programs - it is about self-esteem and self-empowerment programs. Right now there don't seem to be too many of those - so I am creating them. I am starting with programs for overweight teens and tweens and will branch out from there. www.LeanTeenSelfEsteem.org
I have walked this path my whole life; first as an overweight child, then teenager, and eight years ago as morbidly obese. Since this is a journey I will be on for the rest of my life, I intend to enlighten society about the real "inner" issues of obesity - not that which manifests on the outside. The real matters of concern are self-worth and self-esteem. I will still encourage sipping tea in silence to tune in to the wisdom of the inner voice - for therein lies our true power and the answers to all we have been seeking, as well as the release of all the extra pounds we have been dragging around. Tea is the perfect beverage for mind, body and soul upliftment, as well as enlightenment. Keep smiling and keep sipping - the best is yet to be.
No. . . the best is just to BE.
By email dharlene@takeupthecup.com (tea related)
fahlbrittian@cox.net (personal)
dharlene@leanteenselfesteem.org (teen & tween obesity program)