“Tea is an act complete in its simplicity. When I drink tea there is only me and the tea. The rest of the world dissolves. There are no worries about the future. No dwelling on past mistakes…I drink the tea…I am informed by the tea, changed. This is the act of life.”

These words taken from a longer poem by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn are about more than just tea. They are about being present in the moment, with no worries about the past or the future. You are one with the tea.

Taking time to notice the simple things in life is the starting point in a creative journey, particularly when we seek balance in our lives. We can practice using simple tools daily, such as a cup of tea, a pencil, a journal and a quiet moment. Keeping a journal is no longer considered cliché and is often suggested by mental health practitioners as an integral part of one’s wellness journey.

When you use a journal, you are embarking on an intriguing journey, collecting seeds of inspiration. It’s as simple as the words of a song or a poem that inspires you, snippets of overheard conversations or noticing the colors of the sunrise in the desert. It might be the first mark of the day or a note of gratitude in the evening; it may be words, pictures or colors that start your journey.

To begin, find a journal that feels right in your hands, a journal you love to hold. Find a pen or pencil that moves easily across the page. If you paint, a mixed-media journal is a good choice; if you intend to write, a lined notebook may be preferred. While some enjoy using their computers, I contend that there is a meditative quality to the movement of your hand across the paper.

A simple act might be to take your paper and cup of tea and splash the liquid on the paper. Move it with a straw and let it dry. Tea will stain the paper in different colors; passion tea can be pink, and turmeric is a lovely shade of gold.

Pick up a pencil and pull out the images you see. Write a line or two: who are with you, where are you, and how do you feel? Like all simple things, the answers may surprise you, and perhaps new feelings and emotions may emerge.

Don’t be concerned with the outcome, but instead with the process itself. As time goes by, your journal becomes a touchstone, and if you save your journals, you can look back at them over the years and notice life’s transitions, the twists and turns.

I offer this challenge to you: Find a journal you love and set an intention. Make a note of gratitude, draw a picture, or cut out words or phrases that interest you. Mark each day in your journal in some small way. Follow the seasons, experience the rhythms of life, note them — the good and the bad — and be present for a moment each day.

The creative process begins in search of tiny seeds that we care for, that we hope will grow and inspire us to be present and more balanced. So, take a breath or two, be curious, journal outdoors when you can, and be present with the simple act of drinking tea.

Judy Nemer Sklar is an expressive arts facilitator, artist, writer and owner of Creative Life Workshops for Health and Wellness. She can be reached at (760) 902.5467 or [email protected].