I'm already feeling the busy days of summer sneaking up on us and it's only the beginning. It's a hard time to slow down. In Canada you only have so many nice warm sunny days and man do they fill up fast!
It's my goal this summer to try and be thoughtful about what I do. I know I will be busier this season, and that is okay. I do not want to let it overwhelm me, or feel like I haven't stuck to the slow paced lifestyle. There will be busy times and slower times in life and that should be expected. I'm sure once winter comes life will slow down again. Until then I will look forward to the rest that will come with that season. I will focus on living in the moment, and slowing down enough to notice the little everyday moments. I will focus on the positive and make sure I still include some down time for our family to relax and enjoy the summer.
Summer is the season of outdoor adventure, of kayaking, of jumping into the lake, of hiking through the forest, of camp fires, and late nights. It's the season for gardening, growing as much of our own food as possible, cleaning up and maintaining the property. It the season of the kid's sports-baseball and soccer, more play dates, and late bedtimes. Summer is also our busiest season at work for both my husband and I.
Summer is the time I have the most motivation, so perhaps it's good that's it's also the busy time. I just need to remember to step back once and a while, appreciate the little things, and remember to embrace the slow lifestyle we are hoping for. I don't want to get caught up in the rush of life. That might mean some hard decisions sometimes, it might just be remembering to smell the fresh air and feel the heat from the sunshine.
We should remember to appreciate each and every season as we live through them. There's so much to be thankful for throughout the year. Just remember if you are trying to slow down (and end up speeding up through the summer) this is not failure, it's just the flow of life. It may be the opposite for you, maybe winter is your busier time. We will all have slow times and busier times, just try to embrace and hold onto those slow times, and remember to appreciate all that's surrounding you in the busy times. Take time to rest. You need it to be preforming at your best in everything you do, both physically and spiritually.
How do you slow down in the summer? What little things make it special and remind you to stop and be grateful in the moment?
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