I like to believe that all creative writing comes from a place of inspiration. You must have a desire, an idea to express, and then attempt to deliver it as concisely, as elegantly, as creatively is as necessary for your medium and your audience.
But as I sat to write my bi-monthly blog for Saturday, I drew a blank ~ no inspiration. It was the day after July 4th celebrations, the heart of summer when every day is hot and lazy (especially in the sweltering heat of Houston); a time when it’s hard to conjure a single coherent thought ~ let alone an inspired one!
Most of the time, random incidents can elicit ideas for my writing, and even before I wrote this piece, two other blogs had self-written in my head. One was about accountability and the other about perception. But neither felt right.
The problem wasn’t in the blog content, the problem was my sluggish state of mind. I can’t offer crisp anecdotes or words of wisdom in the thick of summer. Everything moves at a snail’s pace, including my writing, which wanes until September mornings. I wonder if it’s the summer heat, erratic schedules, family vacations, or the rambunctiousness that comes from a house that is full, and the collective and joyful busy-ness that comes in such an environment.
As I wrote that paragraph, a smile crept across my face, and I realized what I wanted to write about. It’s not life-changing… but it bears repeating all the same and is a perfect reminder for our leisurely days.
Summer is a favorable time to appreciate.
~ To feel good about our lives and the ease in which we live.
~ To value our family, our friends, our job, and the place we call “home.”
~ To cherish our hobbies, our interests, our desires, and even our fears (that help us grow).
~ To recognize all that we have and enjoy every single day: warm weather, cool drinks, time off, fun experiences…
Summer is a glorious time to treasure our present moment.
Just look around the room wherever you are reading this blog. Look around and bask in the life you get to live. Appreciate it. Remember it. This is the summer of 2018 ~ how do you best want to remember it? If you’re spending all your time worrying, working, struggling, or complaining, you might be missing the best of summer.
Because in the thick of summer, our greatest desire should be to find the most pleasurable afternoon, road trip, adventure, book, cocktail, game, barbecue, or nap, and simply appreciate the fact that we get to share in it. That is how we can honor the very best of the summer.
Hope all of you are enjoying yours.
Summer Reading: