For me starting the day without a pot of tea would be a day forever out of kilter.

When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?

Every country uses some form of hot, steamy liquid, either a tea or soup or just a towel over a pot.

Every country uses some form of hot, steamy liquid, either a tea or soup or just a towel over a pot. If all these countries from around the globe, some with no contact with each other, all happen to come up with this same basic treatment, this must be something.

This really isn't about whether ginger tea or chicken soup work. It's really about conveying to people that medicines (for colds) aren't necessary and could be potentially dangerous for kids.

Ritual will always mean throwing away something: destroying our corn or wine upon the altar of our gods.