Ah, summer...it seems like the perfect time to nurture your soul. But chances are you can't pack your bags for a three-month stay at a convent or an ashram. The good news is that as schedules change and days lengthen, you can do a few simple things to renew your soul and expand your spiritual horizons--and you don't have to leave town to do it. No passport or vow of silence required.
Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight.
It's a lot easier to spring out of bed at 6 a.m. when the sun is already up. Leave your bedroom curtains open a bit so that you wake up with the sunrise. Or set your alarm a half-hour earlier. Use that time for meditation and prayer, writing in a journal, or reading a devotional book. Don't expect to do this every day. Just try it one day a week and see if it feels right for you.
Enjoy the Night
When those daylight hours finally wind down, nurture your spirit under a night sky. Take a blanket in the backyard and look up at the stars. Cuddle up with your kids to look for constellations, invest in a telescope, or just gaze skyward and put your life in perspective. There's nothing like a star-filled sky to fill your soul with awe.
Plan a special stargazing adventure the night of August 11 and during the early morning hours of August 12 when the Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak
Play with Your Pet
If you long for a spiritual summer, start by taking your dog for a walk or watching your cat stretch in the sun. Animals don't spend their lives consumed with worry. They do something humans struggle to do: they live in the moment. Use time with your pet to calm down and appreciate the good things around you right now. Plus, pets often make you laugh, and that's always good for the soul.
When you've got kids to entertain or in-laws to visit, families take up a lot of summer's time. But when the normal routines, like school, are over, there's also the possibility of seeing your family members for who they are. If your relatives have special interests, find a way to share them. Think: soccer camp, scrapbooking, needlepoint, favorite action movie. You don't have to love it, just appreciate how much they love it. It's a good way to acknowledge their spirits and nurture yours, too.
Eat, Drink, and Pick Berries
Summer is the season that's chock full of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you live near a farm, check to see if they'll let you pick your own produce. It's a great way to reconnect with the earth and remind yourself that dinner doesn't actually grow in the frozen food aisle. Plus, fresh fruits and veggies taste so good, you'll want to slow down and eat mindfully.
Go Green
We're not only talking about recycling. Green is the color of summer, from the leaves and grass to some still, quiet ponds. Remember those bare tree limbs from the winter? Look at them now. Take a moment to remember that seasons change and green returns each year. If your life is feeling less than vibrant, remember it too will change.
Revel in the Weather
Let's face it, when you're sprinting through freezing rain in January, you're a bit less inclined to spiritual reflection. Now that it's warm, get outside. Kick off your shoes and relax. If you work all day in an air-conditioned office, take a moment on your lunch break to turn your face to the sun and be grateful for the warmth.
(If it's really hot, then you'll appreciate the air-conditioning all the more when you get back inside!)
Cherish Your Chores
Summer is a time of garage sales, car-washing, and grass-cutting. These chores can be less than thrilling, but when you take a step back you can appreciate what you have--the energy to tackle these tasks, the satisfaction of completing them, and the rhythm of life that calls us to busy ourselves with what seems ordinary. And there's something about the smell of freshly cut grass that just refreshes your soul.
Lose Vacation Expectations
If you have just one or two weeks of vacation, you can stress yourself out thinking how much you should accomplish: visit all relatives within a 500-mile radius or hike, bungee jump, and kayak. Let it go. Realize no trip will be perfect. Focus on things that matter to you. If you're not in a position to plan your dream trip, carve out a few minutes for some soulful solitude--an early morning stroll on the beach or a quick museum visit between family obligations.
Take a Mindful Moment
We all know that nurturing your soul doesn't require a big bank account or an extended retreat. You have the power to refresh your spirit any time you like. Summer offers a great chance to step outside normal routines and take a deep breath.
Acknowledge the warmth, appreciate the light, and know that you can have a spiritual moment any time you like.
