Room for the Possible

I arose early at my mom's house and began searching through her coffee mugs for the perfect cup for my morning coffee. Finally, I found one tucked in the back of her cabinet that was larger than the typical coffee cup. This is my favorite. I like the weight. I like the look. I like the feel. Most of all, I like that a mug this size doesn't fill to the top. With the right coffee cup, you can have your coffee, but also room for more: more coffee, more cream, more anything. 

Apparently, I like my coffee mug much like my life: with room for more. The best way to live an in-progress life is with room for all that's possible. If we fill our cup to the top with liquid there isn't room for all the good things we might want to add. If our cup is full, it's hard to do the simplest things. We can't even walk across the room without spilling some of the liquid. If someone makes the tiniest request, our yes can easily cause our liquid to pour over the sides. 

Just because a cup can hold more liquid doesn't mean it should. I'll admit, leaving space in my cup is much easier in this current season. Years ago, I was busy juggling a full-time teaching career, three kids, and all that goes with a full life. At the time, I was living life with a pretty full cup. In addition to the hours I spent at work, there was lesson planning, meal prep, daily events, and all the general to-dos that come with raising kids. I loved every minute, but my cup was incredibly full. If I was asked to do something else it always felt like a lot. The smallest drop of more could cause my cup's contents to begin to spill over the sides. You can't take even a drop when your cup is already too full. 

To leave room in your cup - especially in a busy season of life - means to say no, to slow down, and to pause. It requires letting some things go and passing tasks to others. It has taken me years to learn to do all of that. When life gives us a bit of space it can be easy to work to fill it, but staying clear about what is essential can leave room for new possibility. 

So, every morning I wake up and pour a cup of coffee into my mug leaving room for more. Some days I just enjoy the coffee, but if I'd like to add a little cream, there's room - AND, if whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles come my way, I have plenty of room to enjoy them. Yep, I like my coffee mug much like my life: with room for more. 

May your cup have plenty of room for more.