Along with sunshine, long days, and soaring temperatures, summer often brings with it a more relaxed pace and a feeling of anticipation of fun.
But lately, I’ve noticed in people I know a general lack of enthusiasm, energy, and even weariness with the world and their little corner of it. It’s easy to see why, when bad news beleaguers us and hard times hover over us.
The doldrums, the blahs, even discouragement can zap our lives of energy and flatten things we would normally be excited about. People sigh, drift, and go through the motions. One long summer day looks like the next until they’ll all have flown away like ash from a bonfire.
In my blog post last week, I wrote about asking a friend what he was looking forward to this summer. I’ve been asking others, too, on Facebook and face-to-face. Some people just look at me with furrowed brows or eyes squinted in concentration. They can’t think of anything, and that makes me sad.
We all need something to look forward to, perhaps now more than ever. Here’s a long list of things my Facebook friends are excited about, and some of my own as well. May they inspire you to make plans that you can look forward to, too.
Vacation!
Short weekend trips
Time with family and friends
A daughter’s first steps
The birth of a grand baby
Garden harvests of bounty to be eaten now and put up for later
Homegrown tomatoes
Reading for fun
Being near water of any kind without the phone or computer
The feel of a waterfall spray on your face
Going on hikes to new places
Creative pursuits like painting
The end of a massive decluttering project, which will result in an art studio
Butterfly sightings in the neighborhood
The opening of our first dahlia bloom
Touring a local history museum for the first time
Tea and a walk with my daughter, who’s coming home for a week
The cooler weather of fall!
Don’t let this summer go by without scheduling something that you are excited about doing. And do it. And then? Tell me all about it.
What are you looking forward to? Let me know, and I just might use your answer in a future blog post.
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Toy car photo by Karine Germain on Unsplash
Baby learning to walk photo by Jordan Christian on Unsplash
Blackberry bush photo by Amanda Hortiz on Unsplash
Butterfly painting hoto by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash