Summer Nourishment

Summer is around the corner. 

While we near the end of the “100 days of May” we sense the approach of the expansiveness of summer.  I am referring to the earthly expansiveness of long days, sunshine (as long as you’re not living in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco), and fully blossomed flowers and greenery.  The northern hemisphere is leaning back, arms stretched open and hearts are open to the warmth and light of the sun.  This is the earthly gesture that exists in stark contrast to the winter with the darkness, cold, and general sense of introspection.  We are open, we are energized, and possibilities are endless.
Summer also brings disruption to the rhythm of the school year.  All of a sudden our children are untethered and as parents, we take on a new task of curating a summer experience for them.  For many that means a scramble to find childcare options with camps, extended family, using vacation time from work, and relying on friends and neighbors.  There can be a breathlessness to the expanse.  For others, summer may offer an opportunity to leave town and gain perspective from travel or simply distance from the day-to-day life.  Reaching a point of boredom may be touted as a victory after a packed school year.
I have a tip.  A simple tip to bring nourishment to your summer.  
Find nature. 
That’s it.  It can be going to the beach (local’s tip, bring a sweatshirt), going to Golden Gate Park, McLaren Park or the Presidio.  Driving a bit further and going to Pescadaro, the Santa Cruz Mountains, or Point Reyes National Park.  Or beyond and beyond to any place where there are dense trees, open meadows, a long horizon, a tall peak, and bad cell reception.  INHALE the expansiveness of summer.  Take a walk or a picnic.  Find nature as much as possible, every evening, every weekend.  
Our bodies are building up a store of expansiveness. 

At this time of year, we are drunk from spring after the darkness of winter.  Notice that you and/or your children are a little wily?  That looseness will settle and the next phase is to lean into the cycle of our seasons is to immerse ourselves in beauty and spaciousness, building up those reserves, charging our batteries, to once again cycle back into fall and winter.  

Wishing you a lovely and nourishing summer.