Be Glad it’s Summer!

By | July 4, 2011

Summer has begun! School is closed. Students welcome the new season with gladness. Of course, how can anyone not enjoy it? No homework. No quizzes or reports. Jobs are open.

Here in Newfoundland, frequent rains have dampened the spirits of some outdoor enthusiasts. With dark clouds hanging in the air almost daily, many people hesitate to get involved. No wonder, I’ve seen fewer people who go hiking, fishing, boating, or even gardening these past few days.

Last year, I wrote five exciting ways on how to spend summer productively. Below, you’ll find the summary of that article, the content of which is just as applicable now as before.

Relish the moment

Appreciate what’s before your eyes. Love the present. The past, despite its grandeur, is gone. And the future is scheduled to happen tomorrow so we can’t take advantage of it yet. Relish the moment that unfolds. Focus on its beauty — now!

Experience the mystery behind the moonlit night as you coddle each other before a bonfire. Savor the trees and their leaves as they sway to the beat of the Eastern wind. Enjoy every second of your life. It’s the only one you’ve got.

Challenge yourself

Explore new, different things. Find out what old hobbies to hone or what new recreational activities to delight in. Experiment some dance moves that can challenge your body’s flexibility. Try an unknown hiking trail. Perhaps it exudes more scenic beauty than traditional paths.

Confront some difficult personal and family problems that you’ve feared to face. Running away won’t give you the permanent solution you desire. A reprieve is not necessarily helpful if you look at the big picture.

Reinvigorate relationships

This summer, strengthen your family bond through frequent outdoor and indoor activities you can share together. During quiet moments, just focus on one another — share memorable stories about your ancestors or about yourself, tell funny and yet fitting jokes that can naturally elicit laughter. Having fun together is important!

Reach out to your long lost friends. Scour Facebook and other social media and look for former best friends, classmates, and relatives. Invite your neighbors for some summer fun like a picnic or a party. Always be prepared to offer your listening ear to those in need.

Volunteer to serve

Serving is fun! Volunteer your time, talent, and skills. Many people in your community need your free services. You just have to identify what the community lacks and badly needs. And offer yourself. If motivated, you can also join nonprofit organizations or summer camps so you can expand the services you provide to others.

What we receive usually transforms us. But when we truly give without expecting anything in return, the process of giving sets us free. More than anything, it’s spiritual and transcending to serve.

Explore new horizons

When you live and enjoy the moment, consider looking at novel ways, innovative strategy, and fresh perspective in doing things. Think outside the box. Different and perhaps new opportunities become available for those who seek the less traveled path. Of course, it may be uncomfortable initially, but it will get better as time goes on.

Taking a fresh look, embracing change, or exploring an uncharted territory is not for everyone. But those people who do so have discovered a renewed life and a great beginning.

Enjoy your summer!