| In a few short days the seasons will turn from Spring | | | | something that interests you or something that you've |
| to Summer. This is the time of year that everything | | | | wanted to try for a long time. This is the perfect time |
| relaxes. The kids are out of school, The commitments | | | | to do it because you have the time to devote to |
| that we have during the year are put aside until the | | | | learning your new interest. |
| Fall. We get to take our annual vacations. The daylight | | | | 6. Spend quality time with your loved ones. One of the |
| hours are longer so it seems like we have more time | | | | best parts of the Summer is that the schedules do |
| for outdoor activities like barbecues, picnics, festivals, | | | | relax and there are more opportunities for families to |
| and hanging out with friends. | | | | be together. Make happy family memories by exploring |
| The leisure and relaxation time that we get during the | | | | your part of the world together, playing together, and |
| Summer is our reward for working hard the rest of | | | | laughing together. |
| the year. Because there is very little or no routine we | | | | 7. Spend time with friends. They nourish us, support us, |
| have the ability to design our days the way we want | | | | entertain us, and amuse us. Friends are the families |
| to. By now you've already made arrangements for the | | | | that we get to choose ourselves. Treasure them! |
| kids, so what are you going to do for yourself this | | | | 8.Experience the free or nearly free outdoor activities |
| Summer? Here are some ideas to make your | | | | that abound during the Summer months. Most |
| Summer special and memorable: | | | | communities will have at least a couple of events that |
| 1. Set your intentions for the Summer. You have three | | | | you can take the family to for some fun and |
| months. What would you like to do during those three | | | | entertainment. Things like music festivals, fairs, and |
| months? What would you like to feel? How do you | | | | street dances provide great fun for a low cost. |
| want to experience your Summer? Make a list and | | | | 9. Take advantage of the activities that symbolize |
| prioritize each item. Devote some time every day to | | | | Summer - playing in the water at the beach or pond, |
| making sure at least one item on your list gets worked | | | | having barbecues with friends and family, going on |
| on. | | | | picnics and fighting off ants, basking (safely) in the sun. |
| 2. Make the same intentions list with your family. Ask | | | | Summer is just a few short months. Take time to |
| each family member what he or she would like to do, | | | | enjoy it before it's gone again. |
| be, or have over the Summer months. Compile the | | | | 10. If you find yourself becoming frazzled as the |
| answers into one master list and by consensus, | | | | Summer months wear on, consider hiring a life coach. |
| prioritize the items. Work on something from the list | | | | A skilled life coach will help you gain clarity into what |
| every day during the next three months. | | | | you really want for yourself and your family. She will |
| 3. Take time to practice extreme self-care. Do | | | | help you determine what your goals are and will help |
| something special for yourself everyday. Read a good | | | | you prepare an action plan to achieve those goals. |
| book, have a nice, cool bath, drink a tall glass of iced | | | | Most importantly, your coach will be there to |
| tea. Do whatever makes you feel good and do it on a | | | | encourage you, help you adjust your actions if |
| regular basis. Make it a habit you can carry over to the | | | | necessary, hold you accountable to your goal, and |
| rest of the year. | | | | celebrate with you when you achieve that goal. You |
| 4. Take one day each week and make it a no routine | | | | owe it to yourself and family to hire a life coach! |
| day. Don't make any plans for the day. Just do | | | | As we approach June 21 and Spring turns into |
| whatever strikes your fancy at the moment. If you | | | | Summer, we come to the time of year when we can |
| don't feel like doing anything, don't do it. If you feel like | | | | take a breather and relax. We can take the time to |
| watching grass grow, watch grass grow. This is your | | | | smell the roses, we can lounge by the pool, we can |
| day to pamper, nurture, and treat yourself. See if you | | | | have fun with friends and family, we can just be. |
| can make it a habit to carry over into the rest of the | | | | We've worked hard all year and we deserve a break! |
| year. | | | | Take that break and revel in it. |
| 5. Pick up a new hobby, craft, or sport. Take a class in | | | | Have a happy Summer! |