It is that wonderful time of the year again, when life slows down and the sun (finally) shines brightly upon us. I was thinking about how this season always feels like a bit of a reorganization for me. I am not a joyful idle person and this time of year brings this weakness (or more cheerfully “area for improvement”) to my attention. My perspective does seem to shift as my schedule lightens up and I have more time to be reflective. What I have found this year, and every year prior to this one, is that I need to take a seat, turn on some music, maybe have a glass of wine, read a novel of my choice, and simply enjoy the moment. How does the summer time affect you, are you recharged by something in particular, or have you learned something about yourself lately that you had not realized before? As always we love to share at Heart and Soul, give a voice to a thought or newfound wisdom. Bless us with your words, honor us with your insights, and we will all be the better for it!
When the living is easy
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July 2, 2009 at 1:48 am |
“Summertime and the living is easy”…so the song says! (Porgy and Bess in case anyone forgot!) Summer brings me back to my childhood and fond memories of family vacations, frequent visits to the local farmer’s fruit and vegetable stand, picking flowers from our own garden, catching fireflies, enjoying fresh honeysuckle, listening to the crickets while trying to fall asleep at night, making homemade lemonade and popsicles, and sitting on the front porch watching sunsets and hot-air balloons fly by. I was blessed to grow up in such a beautiful town that stimulated all of the senses. I now enjoy these things with my own children and hope to create new memories and experiences that they will recall someday as a great time in their lives…Summer!!!
July 2, 2009 at 2:28 am |
My little niece was over the other day and went flying down the deck at the first sight of fireflys. She was delighted and started jumping in the air to catch a few. My husband and I just looked at each other and smiled –ahh the summertime magic and the children that bring it to life!
July 2, 2009 at 3:50 am |
I enjoy the mellow pace of the summer. I like to sit at the beach or in the shade and slow things down a bit, sip on a margarita… take a little time for myself now that school is out. I relish in the unscheduled days and the lack of commitments; my children love to stay up late and sleep in until it is time to go to the beach where we have lunch in the ocean air… and of course a good book is always at my side. Come September I will be ready for our routine again, but for now I am reconnecting with my children and my husband in our relaxed summer lifestyle and I am carving out time to sit and chat with friends while catching a dose of vitamin E. I find that without all of my calendar year commitments, I am able to slow down and focus on the things that are really important. Now if the rain would only stay away for awhile!!!
July 2, 2009 at 1:13 pm |
Having a job that has me working throughout the summer is difficult – I have “summer fever” and feel like there should be more unscheduled time on my plate. Even so, I love to BBQ, spend outdoor time with friends and be lazy when I can. Without a doubt my reading increases as does my movie attendance. Outdoor seating at restaurants is the best for strawberry daquiris, etc. It makes me miss being young and free where there was such a thing as a summer vacation. I wish I appreciated it more then!
July 2, 2009 at 8:21 pm |
I’ve always loved growing my own herbs and having fresh-from-the-garden veggies to eat during summer. This past Spring, I planted a whole bunch of different vegetation in the hopes of a summer filled with leafy greens and colored vegetables. It’s now July and I am in awe of what can become of a tiny seed. But this is my first summer in my new home, new soil, new way the sun’s rays shine in the garden, new everything. Needless to say, some of my plants have become casualties. Even some of my favorites, like the rosemary that looked so robust just a week ago, have died. For me, summer has always been a time for growth- both metaphorical and physical. But even more, it’s a time of gratitude. I’ve learned to accept that in order to have growth, there has to be reduction. I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of the present instead of anticipating what the end product will be. This is as much true for gardening as it is for every day life. The summertime is a great reminder of that, at least for me.
July 2, 2009 at 8:38 pm |
Wow!! how your words resonate with me–I need to remember that “in order to have growth, there has to be reduction.” (Do you think I might find that in a plaque somewhere–I could wear it around my neck perhaps!!). Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!!
July 6, 2009 at 7:28 pm |
There are so many things about summer that make me a happier person. There’s warm sun, no socks, green grass between your toes and the sweet smell of lavender (at least at my house). Open windows, bbqs and most importantly for me, sitting outside on the patio and reading a good book with a cup of coffee early in the dewy morning. Something about summer makes me feel like a better, healthy person. We can grow things in the summer, we can walk after dinner, there’s just room to grow. I think this quote from John Lubbock says it all…
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.”
Sounds like a perfect summer day to me.
July 6, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
Samantha has decided that “rest is not idleness” will be her new mantra! Thank you for your words of wisdom miss, along with your liguistic prowess!
July 6, 2009 at 7:58 pm |
I grew up in a big city where there is only one season, rainining season; the rest of the year is eternal spring. So for me summer is humidity, sweating and more sweating….. On a more serious note, I love summer because of family visits from Colombia, lots of noise and crazyness in the house, everybody speaking a different language and my poor husband going crazy without understanding what was going on. Now that my nephews and nieces are all adults with full-time jobs and they have other interests, I enjoy sitting on my deck at night with friends sipping wine and listening to Salsa and other Spanish music and my poor husband still going crazy because he cannot understand one word of what wre saying. It is fun!
Martha
July 16, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
I love the summer,I feel more energized. I enjoy being able to be outside more whether its bbqing, beach, or walking.
So glad the sun has been shinning!!!
July 16, 2009 at 5:24 pm |
amen sister!