It's easy to pack as much fun as you can into the short summer months. Why? Because sometimes all this "fun"—entertaining,
reunions, people plans in general—can become too much. Too much planning and preparation. Too much stress trying to figure out all the details, plus get your house ready or the boat/cottage well stocked.
Over the years, I've witnessed many women put themselves (and
their spiritual lives)on hold during the summer, planning to pick up the pieces once things calm down in the fall. Their intention is great: make it the very best summer for everyone, but it's a plan that often backfires. I hope this is not already happening to you.
Here are 5 things you can do to prevent neglecting yourself and your deeper needs this summer.
1. Begin your day in a kinder way. Instead of jumping out of bed in the morning, stay there. Take 5 minutes to breathe and reconnect with your spirit (and your understanding of "Higher Power").
2. Schedule in self-compassion breaks during the day. Stop, breathe, and sit with yourself in a kind way. Let go of any pressure you feel to be it all and do it all.
3.
Meditate or pray. You can do this wherever you are. Drop your attention inward. Dedicate 5 min. to being and breathing: at a park, on a boat, on your porch at home. Prayer can be portable.
4. Contemplate. Take time regularly to reflect on your inner life,
yourself, your day, your blessings, your relationship with the divine. Without time for reflection on a regular basis, we can become automatons, distanced from our true self and what matters most. We can get "off track" very easily and, before we know it, we're back in the soup of stress and resentment.
5. Join me for a gentle journeyinward this summer which contains all of the elements mentioned above, plus "journaling light." (We could call this spiritual multi-tasking, but I'd rather not. Ha! ;-)
Being Me: As I Amcan align you with inner calm, appreciation, generosity, joy and Spirit.And you'll avoid the perils of a summer disconnect, too much busyness, and the weighty task of pulling yourself back together in the Fall.
I'd love to have you join me for this unique (and oh, so gentle) summer offering. We begin the week of July 2. Learn more and register here.
You are precious. Please take good care of you.
With metta,
Jan
Janice L. Lundy, DMin
Educator, Author and Interfaith Spiritual Director
