Some Things I Learned This Summer

by Judy

I learned that my morning coffee tastes best when I'm sitting on the patio.

I learned that summer seems longer when you don't look at your calendar.

I learned that I love my garden, but I don't love gardening.  Handing that task over to someone else made me enjoy my garden even more.  

I learned that even though family 'things' can take a toll on emotional health, those 'things' are just a part of being a family.

I learned that I don't have to get everything crossed off my to-do list to feel good about myself and my day.

I learned that hugs and kisses from my 12 year old boy are more special than ever, because I know that these are the last days of him being a "little boy." 

I learned that sometimes it's best to just put my camera down and look and see, and be.

I learned how to savor summer.   

We all know it's good for us when we slow down and savor our days, but we also know that many times, that is far easier said than done.  I have to confess, that sometimes it sounds like a whole lot of hooey. But this summer I did it. I sat. I relaxed. I noticed the sights and sounds of summer as I breathed the summer air deep into my lungs, hot and humid as it was.

Sometimes my 'savoring' meant that the laundry wasn't folded right away and the vacuum had three day reprieves, but I can say, and really mean it, that yes, I did it.  I learned how to savor each and every day.   

Now..... with work and school in full swing, and the busy schedules that come with that, can I continue to take the time to savor?  I do hope so, and that is certainly my goal. I hope that the lessons I learned this summer will help me do just that. 

What did you learn this summer?  

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.  Make the NOW the primary focus of your life."  - Eckhart Tolle -