John’s world...habits

One of the things I’m most interested in dicovering when I travel abroad are the habits I engage in after the trip.  Some are short lived.  Some involve a gadget I bring back.  Some become an integral part of who I am. 

Years ago I was in Mexico and I noticed the friends I was staying with would drink their water out of a clay pot.  They told me  that it keeps the water naturally cool and removed toxins (like many things apparently do).  So of course I brought a giant clay pot with me back to the United States.  The habit was short lived.  I drank water out of the pot for two weeks and regifted it to someone as a wedding present.  I called it a wedding pot even (I’m terrible and if I gave you that pot please post that I’m a bad person in the comment section).

I had coffee for the first time in Spain.  I prop my foot on the bar at a pub like a proper local in Britain would posture themselves.  Habits that have lasted.  

There are three things I am absolutely committed to continuing when I get back to the States.

First.  House slippers.  Brinda’s done this since I’ve known her.  I kind of always thought it pointless.  My bare feet or socks aren’t dirty?  However, a few days on cold marble floors certainly will change your tune.  

Second.  Tea time.  We eat dinner as a family right around 5pm.  Early by most peoples standards.  I like going to sleep with a light feeling in my stomach.  We also like the time it offers the boys for homework, play, meditation, and a decent bed time.  But getting home from work is the perfect time to have a small cup and a biscuit before the heavy cooking.  

Last.  Placing my hand over my heart to greet someone.  Every day I go to pick the boys up at Indus I exchange with this little, rail thin, impeccably “sarree-ed” out grandmother a smile and a greeting of “namaste” with hands over hearts. It’s sincere.  I am truly happy to see her.  I think she is happy to see me.  We have both committed ourselves to picking up our wards we love and care about at the same time everyday.  Everyone in our housing complex does it.  It’s so much better than a handshake, head nod or wave.  It’s respectful, genuine.  You actually think about the other person as you do it.  There is a unique effort one puts into it.  You can’t do it and feel superior or inferior to someone.  You yield mutually yield time of your thoughts to truly acknowledge the other person.  I have made it my greeting now.