Summer has finally arrived and we’re off cramming as much summertime fun as possible into the short 2 to 3 months we have to enjoy it. Vacations, picnics, beach days, festivals, pool time, visits to zoos, museums, and parks. After two decades of trying to squeeze in as much fun, entertainment, culture, and variety for my kids every year it is nice to just kick back and let the summer slowly roll out. It’s taken me a while to remember that true summer magic doesn’t happen from all the planned out activities or places, it happens in the little unexpected moments, the quiet unrushed present moments, the moment a firefly is gently scooped from mid-flight to light up and tickle your hand, it’s lying in a hammock gently swaying with the warm summer breeze brushing over your sun-kissed skin, it’s going outside after a late afternoon thunderstorm to be greeted by a bright bold rainbow in the sky. This is summer magic, this and so much more. When you think back to your best childhood summer memories aren't they full of simple moments like these. Simple pleasures are strung together like flowers on a lai, creating something beautiful to reflect on and remember.
Life today can be complicated I hear this over and over yet it can also still be simplistic. Life is after all how we perceive it to be. I’m grateful to have been born in a time where cell phones and computers were things of the future, where we learned to use our imaginations to entertain ourselves, to read books to fill our desire for adventures, and we were okay to just be, to hang out, talk, get to know ourselves and each other. Life seemed slower because we lived it, we were present in the moments we had, experiencing life as it actually happened around us. Bored? maybe sometimes, but without boredom how do you create? Imagination leads to creativity which drives problem-solving and opens the doors to new realities.
So how do we spend our summers now? We start out each spring planting a garden. Seems simple enough, tilling the dirt, sowing seeds, and planning the herbs, vegetables, and fruits for the season. Then we spend the summer watering each garden and weeding around the plants, staking up the tomatoes, and stringing up the vines. Tending to these plants throughout their life cycle is humbling and rewarding. Knowing even more about plants today from years of research available about their ability to “feel and communicate” together makes tending to them even more special. There's nothing more rewarding as a cook than to be able to step out to my patio and grab a handful of beautiful fresh herbs to add a punch of flavor to my dinner, or to brew in a refreshing iced tea. Growing what we eat puts us in a place of accomplishment, empathy, and gratitude. It is a powerful experience to have that connects us to the life cycle around us and anchors us to the present.
Days with no plans that were once considered boring and uneventful are now treasured and savored as stolen time to lazily dream and play. Meal planning is much more creative in the summer. A visit to the local farmers market can yield a wealth of ideas and inspiration to bring home and experiment with. Warm nights at the local ice cream parlor are also cherished and as sweet as the treats they offer. Spontaneous trips to the beach or park are always a welcome refuge, and outdoor summer festivals and concerts are the best for adding memories and nostalgia.
If you are a fan of summer and truly want to enjoy the short time it is here, then my best advice is to let your inner child be your guide. Get in touch with that part of your heart that absolutely loved summer vacation. Do all the things you did that made you happy and some you never had a chance to experience. Buy some chalk and write positive messages on the sidewalks, pack up a peanut butter and jelly picnic and go on an adventure, make flower crowns, and actually get some friends together and play ghost in the graveyard or kick the can, have a bonfire and tell ghost stories and roast marshmallows for s'mores, why not? there’s no age limit on having fun. Give yourself the love and joy you deserve. One thing I never got to experience as a child is growing up with a dog, so this summer I’m spending time hanging out with my new puppy, experiencing all the joy of having a little fur baby of my own to raise, and play with, go hiking and canoeing with, a companion to share my days and love unconditionally. Don’t let time slip by too fast, grab the reins, or better yet, let that inner child steer the way to a magical adventure of wonder, joy, and timeless memories.
Namaste
