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I was thinking...about these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

Well, here we are - right in the middle of the summer season. Full of promise and potential - of great ideas and good intentions. The question is , especially for those of us who are chronically busy or overwhelmed, how well are we doing this summer? Has it been any different from previous ones? Have we been able to spend quality time with friends and family? Have we taken the time to kick back, have fun, slow down, and smell the roses? Or will we, in a few short weeks, find ourselves thrown head-first into another Labor Day, bemoaning the fact that most of our summer plans never materialized? There are ways we can turn this trend around, right now. And it all begins by:

Honoring our "ideal" summer. If you could have the summer of your dreams, what would it look like? Don't just answer this quickly and without thought. Actually sit down with the question. Discuss it with your family members. What would they enjoy doing or not doing this summer? Be willing to consider their input. And then go one step further and...

Write things down. Take pen in hand and make a list of what you and your significant others would ideally like to take place over the next four weeks. If you have children, allow them to have some input. The truth is, when we make ideas visible by moving them out of our head and onto the paper, we immediately increase their potential for fulfillment. But remember to...

Keep it simple. In other words, have plans but don't overdo! Most of us tend to over-schedule. And when we try to do it all, we often end up enjoying it less. It is no fun to have our feet in one event when our head is busily occupied in another. If we are rushing from place to place, from event to event, we miss the natural slow- down pace of the summer months. So before committing to another sport or team or camp or reunion, look over your calendar to determine if you are trying to fit ten pounds of activity into a five-pound time/energy slot. And by not over scheduling everything, you can...

Allow room for spontaneity. It is great fun to attend events and parties of an impromptu nature. This is more easily accomplished when we are organized. So be prepared for these last-minute invitations or inspirations. Have the beach towels and chairs packed and the sun-screen handy. Have ice for the cooler, and clothes ready to go. Know where your hiking boots, golf clubs and tennis rackets are. After all, it's summertime. And it goes mighty fast, especially for those of us in the Northeast!
So enjoy these last few weeks. And don't forget to make plans for your fall retreat! It is always good to have something "just for us" on the horizon.

Betty Hill Crowson is an Holistic Life Coach, Retreat Director, Motivational Speaker, and Author of The Joy is in the Journey: A Woman’s Guide Through Crisis and Change. She currently offer teleclasses on several interesting topics. For more information, please visit www.thejoyisinthejourney.com.

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