“Summertime … and the living is easy …” I love that old song and the message that comes from within its lyrics: “… one of these mornings, you’re gonna rise up singing, and you’ll spread your wings and take to the sky …” Those words speak volumes to me.
However, we human beings tend to fill our summers to the max to get the best out of longer, warmer days and nights. Some of us are elated at our opportunity to work our gardens, digging in the dirt, embracing Mother Nature. Our family terraced garden extends one entire side of the house, plus we added nine Earthboxes, thus creating an ongoing summer “job”, attending to, reaping and finally enjoying the “fruits” of our labor. It seems we have created the potential for a most stressful summer!
Gardening is not the only thing we may have going on. Somehow, we find ourselves becoming relentlessly active all summer: places to go, things to do every night of the week: barbecues, city-wide events, hikes, yard sales, movies … and on and on. There are people to visit, vacations that tire us out. Of course, there are those who come to visit us! OH YES! There is work. As Huffington Post author, Kira M. Newman, maintains: “We can try to shelter ourselves from frustration and adversity, but they come with the territory of being human.” So much to do … so little time!
How can we help ourselves enjoy this summer more, make our living a little easier … rise up each morning, singing and spreading our ‘wings’ to move more gracefully through our day?
PATIENCE.
L.L. Hay eloquently affirms: “Patience is being at peace with the process of life, knowing that everything happens in the perfect time/space sequence.” Patience is defined as the state of endurance under difficult circumstances; various resources add it means an ability to wait … remain calm … give attention to something fully, to exhibit forbearance when under strain. An Rx for mindfulness!
“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather, it is ‘timing’. It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” (Fulton J. Sheen) As an alternative to our mind’s restlessness, we can cultivate “… the quality of patience every time we stop and sit and become aware of the flow of our own breathing.” (J. Kabat-Zinn) Patience is ever accessible when we tap into its subtle invitation to become more in touch with each moment. It is definitely linked to greater overall health and wellbeing. Everyday strategies for building patience include reframing situations, consciously regulating emotions through self-control, and practicing gratitude. Again, an Rx for mindfulness!
Ultimately, to practice patience, look no farther than your breath: “… simply to be completely open to each moment, accepting it in its fullness, knowing that, like the butterfly, things can unfold only in their own time.” (J. Kabat-Zinn)
This summer, let powerfully practicing patience become your daily intention: it definitely is mine. As we move into Autumn and all the changes that are happening, continue practicing patience .... inhale ... exhale ... repeat!
Blessings & Peace ~~ TYQ
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