Welcome Summer! I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. This is a time for fun, renewal and action for me and I hope for you as well. I enjoy gardening and creating colorful space outdoors that attract butterflies and hummingbirds around my home. I also love the ocean in the summer, it is such a fabulous experience to get in the water if the temperature is just right. Walks on the beach at dawn and dusk are the BEST! They are both relaxing and energizing at the same time. I feel such a connection with the ocean, the sun, and the sand.
Summer is a time when we can synchronize with the rhythm of nature and shift from the season of rebirth to the season of renewal and action. We know summer is arriving when nature is in full bloom and at the height of its potential. Animals are playing, the air is sweet, the sun is radiating and revitalizing. It’s time to dance with the summer rhythm and soar to new heights.
As a child, my family did not have many resources to go on vacation. However, my mother would pack all five of her children up and we would spend a month camping. She made an orange tent with her own sewing machine, as well as sacs to carry our clothes. Sunscreen, chairs, and umbrellas were not part of our camping gear. We had to share towels and playing with our siblings was the only form of entertainment. In those days, there were no electronics, no cell phones, no iPads. When we said to our mom: “Mom we are bored….” she would reply, “and….”. She was clearly conveying to us, that this was not her problem. We had to rely heavily on our own imaginations. Even though resources were limited, those are the best memories of my childhood. We all looked forward to it every year, a time of action and playfulness with the ocean.
Later, when we moved to the capital of Chile, away from the ocean, I found it difficult. I missed the ocean and went back every summer. When I came to the US, we settled in the Washington, DC area. Still far away from the ocean, and seldom able to visit. A longing grew in my heart for my home country, and the ocean. We then made the move to the Eastern Shore. So, while my children were growing up, I was blessed to be able to spend the summers with them at the beach. Four years ago, we were able to move much closer to the ocean, and I now feel as though my soul has come home. I am now able to watch not only my grown children enjoying the beach and ocean, but my grandchildren as well. They love it just as much as I did as a child.
There is something about summer that invites us to relax and slow down but at the same time it is full of activity. Research shows that being outdoors, exposed to the sun and nature helps our mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. Being outdoors can be a great time to experience gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us; sunrise, sunset the stars, the ocean, the mountains, beautiful flowers, fresh vegetables, and delicious fruits.
Another lovely experience during the summer is family togetherness. Picnics, barbeques, and family outings that strengthen family relationships and our appreciation for one another.
Happy Summer! I hope you can find time for FUN and RENEWAL; you deserve it!