Three Tips for Summer

 

Summer is flying by so fast. Not only is summer speedy, it is also abundant and overflowing with garden produce, heat, and people parties. 

I notice life better and feel more at peace when I can process things more fully. That is the one gripe I have with summer. It is so extremely full and life giving that I almost miss it. 

Learning to 'chill' and be 'intentional' in a fast paced life, is something I find to be very difficult, even impossible. Thankfully, the concept of chilling and being intentional are just words and concepts. While I appreciate both, I am much too practical to get hung up on them.

So. My summer is flying and I am doing my best to relax and enjoy each of the  moments however they arrive. I'm doing pretty well at it too, if I do say so myself. But I have made mistakes.

Like not hearing correctly the full plan to when I agreed to leave to go pick huckleberries with friends. I have very kind and gracious friends though, and all was forgiven. Here's what happened...

I was drinking my coffee and reading my Bible one morning, when Emily called and politely asked if I was still planning to go huckleberry picking? Her second question got me thinking perhaps I was not as quite as with it as I had thought I was and that maybe my relaxing was ill-planned. "Were you still planning to meet here at my house? She asked with a tinge of worry.

"Yes," I squeaked cautiously, my very satisfactory slurp of coffee was starting to taste bitter on my tongue." Is it still at 10:30?" I knew before she answered that I had heard the time incorrectly.

"Oh," she gasped, I could hear the relief in her voice, "No, we agreed to 7:30." A glance at the clock exposed the truth that they already had waited fifteen minutes for me to arrive at said appointed place.

My first impulse was to say. "I'm so sorry, please go without me" but what came out of my mouth was, "Oh my, will you pick me up instead? and "I will do my best to be ready by the time you get here!"

I flew around the house in my p.j.s gathering containers and a bucket and my fanny pack and water bottle. I grabbed string cheese and high protein cookies I miraculously found in the freezer in a handy dandy ziplock bag. Then glancing down, realized I should possibly change into more mountain friendly attire. There was no thoughts of chill or intentionality in that moment, believe you me. 

I didn't spend much time in the closet choosing an outfit, just a skort and a baggy t-shirt, slip on shoes, but I did comb my hair as we drove down the road. I didn't think it would be kind to make them wait longer. 

We headed into the mountains by 8:15 instead of 7:30. The children and adults in the car were kind to me about it. The conversation was gentle and slow as we meandered up the mountain roads. Grace upon grace.

It was also very good practice for my prideful little self. I, who am never late and usually the first one to arrive.

A free summer tip for you... Do something spontaneous. Forget an appointment or two. Let a few weeds grow in the garden...

That was three free tips. Follow me for more advice on chilling and being intentional. Apparently, I'm getting good at one of them.

Is it it possible to do both simultaneously?