Routine, Familiarity, Rituals, Tradition

The Moka pot’s slow but powerful method of brewing serves as a daily ritual and moment of reflection for some.

For many of us, these themes become especially powerful during the holiday season - maybe for a couple of reasons. . .

For one, there’s a piece of human nature that finds comfort in repetition. From watching a favorite TV program each night before bed (e.g. embarrassing oneself at Jeopardy) to the daily commute to and from work, we can often count on these small pieces of our schedules when others are constantly shifting and changing.

Second, traditions oftentimes bring the memories flooding back. Just through the physical act of mimicking a tradition, we can viscerally recall mom’s spaghetti and meatballs on Thanksgiving (strange, sure, but in a good way), the smell of cinnamon spice cookies when the family wakes up in the morning, or the frustration found in untangling Christmas tree lights. Being human means sharing physical acts with one another just as much as emotional memories, recollections.

Rituals, routines, and traditions do something else, too. They help us slow down; stop, even. We are forced to put other activities on pause and prioritize something we find more important. What can you count on each day to help you disconnect from the world and connect to yourself; to bring you to a moment of reflection, thankfulness, and contentment? In these moments, we are like coffee beans in a tightly packed puck. Without them, just un-roasted seeds without much direction in the world.

Author: Alex