“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
I like this quote because it reminds me that with every ending, there is a beginning. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Summer is about connection and transformation. Thus far, our summer has seen a number of transitions. Our niece and nephew graduated from high school in June. Hooray! It's such a joyous time, but is often coupled with sadness as an old life is left behind and unease that comes with the uncertainty about what's next. Our niece plans on going to college nearby and will be staying with us, so we're all working on that transition over the summer.
On this year's summer solstice, we also said goodbye to our dear basset hound, Ziggy. Ziggy was our companion and teacher, and we were blessed to have him in our lives. He taught us so much, including the paradox of holding both profound joy and overwhelming sadness in your heart at the same time. Since I work from home, Ziggy and I had a routine that began with meditating on the couch in the morning. I've found it's those daily touchpoints that I both treasure and miss the most.
How is this summer for you? Are you experiencing your own transitions or transformations? As I reminded my niece, you can't have an ending without a beginning. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate new landscapes. Let summer's light remind you to travel and hold things lightly. All is well.
The last in a 5-part series on the gifts of the seasons, this post hardly seems necessary. Unlike other seasons, the gifts of summer are much easier for most people to articulate: the beach! vacation, even if stay-cay! Barbecues! Mosquitoes! Crowded parks! Infernal Heat! OK, maybe some of us do need to be reminded of the pleasurable aspects of the season.
Calming Lemon Balm
Just in time to soothe our jangled nerves and cool our overheated bodies, this post extols the virtues of lemon balm. Curious about what lemon balm has to do with Downton Abbey and feather dusting? Want to know more about drinking a shrub? Are you now thinking the summer heat has gotten to me? Get a learn on here!
Limiting Inputs and Outputs
Even though it's been around several years, I just recently heard about Plastic Free July. It tickles me that I heard about it from a socially and environmentally aware toilet paper company that is doing their part to address the mess that we modern humans have made. If you'd like to do a truly healthy detox, read more here!
Interested in limiting your exposure to chemicals and toxins found in every-day skin care products? This simple recipe makes a great moisturizing lotion that works well in both warm and cold months. If you can make smoothies or margaritas, you can make this lotion! Read more here.
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