It's been just a few whirlwind months since I realized I was to devote myself to the tea faith. Around the time of the 2008 elections, I gave up all caffeine. No more tea for me, and no coffee or chocolate or anything else like that.

It was easier than I thought to go off caffeine. I had headaches and drowsiness, but I read a lot about just what caffeine does to you, and I knew I didn't really need it to think more sharply or to function better.

I was off caffeine for a few months but I ended up grabbing the occasional cuppa and having just a raving party during those exciting times. Eventually I knew I needed to go back to the tea, and when I did I was on my way to complete devotion.

I had to go without the tea in order to know just what it meant to me. When I was off the caffeine, I marveled at how fearless I felt. I was greatly encouraged now that I was free of what I considered the "fearmonger," coffee.

However, for a few years I'd drunk mostly tea, and I found out later on that tea is very different from coffee. Sure, they both contain caffeine. But in essence, their effects on your mind, body, and spirit are virtually opposite.

So I learned that tea isn't the fearmonger (though coffee indeed is) but rather is a great encouragement. The seeds were planted, though, of my book and my tea faith message. I knew what I was going to say in all devotion.

I've decided I'm going to give away a free PDF of "Spirituality of Tea" to those who subscribe to my newsletter Teaternity. I trust you'll buy the bound book when you've looked at the PDF and decided you like it.