Summer Reflections

June is here and although the temperature is still erratic, I can’t help but rejoice at the promise of the summer. Soon the festivals, the outdoor activities the endless summer nights will begin. I always look at the summer as a new year because I am a summer baby and I always greet it with mixed feelings. Like a student receiving a report card, it is always the time of year when I grade myself and the decisions I made. It is noted as the time when I make the biggest decisions; last year at this time I decided to apply for and then accept an out of town position and therefore a relocation; looking back it was a good decision.

Sometimes strength is demonstrated not by hanging on but letting go. It is always a difficult decision to walk away from something that you invested time, energy, love and emotion into, but sometimes it is the best solution. I continue to review all aspects of my life and with another birthday looming, another candle on the cake so to speak, I am again looking ahead.

I am making those small changes and even a few big ones. Gone are the days of holding onto everything. If it is not useful, if it does not fit right, if I don’t like it anymore, if it is riddled with old memories, then it is time to go. It is easier said than done, but I am hoping with a little practice, it will become second nature. Injecting a few new things can breathe new life into what you keep. I revamped my wardrobe with a few new key items. Those little changes gave me the boost of confidence I was looking for in my new city.

I also am adapting a healthier lifestyle. I recently cut back on soft drinks, and certain bad habit foods, and slowly introducing some gluten free, healthier food in my life. In addition, I signed up for a personal trainer in the fall at the college. I will work with a student in the program for nine weeks at a committed rate of two hours a week.

I also plan to take breaks more often and aim to go out a little more. I am guilty of reverting to my shell a little bit since I moved, but I know that I need to peek my head out and explore more, maybe a few daytrips, some festivals and some fun.

I recently attended a work seminar on stress, and when I filled out the report, I realized that the stressors that used to weigh on me are no longer a factor, and the stressors that I indicated were the ones I had to work on. So every day I make progress and get a little stronger each day. Change is never easy, but with the right attitude, it can open your eyes to new possibilities, new beginnings and can highlight strengths.

So as the summer breeze fills the air, and the evenings are brighter, it is a good time to take inventory and enjoy.

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