Here Comes Summer!

I love all the seasons – Autumn, Winter, Spring – each brings its beauty and its surprises. I love snow, falling leaves, puddles, tulips – the beauty of a winter storm when everyone is home safe and sound…crunching on leaves but, then there is SUMMER. The pool opens, we plant and plant and plant. There is LOTS of effort to it but, everything looks beautiful and you spend your days outside with a book, laying in the pool, biking, golfing…etc. Summer warmth is reviving and seeing things grow reminds you that life always moves forward – we can slow down and reflect.

Recently, I have been reflecting on “bold authenticity” or the complete freedom and permission to be who you want to be without shame, guilt, fear or self-condemnation. Powerfully, freely, delightfully you.
At 60+ years old, you would think that would be so easy; however, we all have those moments of “people pleasing” and “fear of upsetting someone” and so, it is so important to sit back and think, meditate, ponder. What do you bring to the world? What are your unique qualities? You are the authority in your own life and you can make decisions and stand in them firmly, clearly and confidently. There is a part of you in your core, in your heart, that always know that next best move for you. Trust more and fear less. Avoid managing others’ impression of you – just get to know people, share what is inside, connect and have fun. (excerpts and paraphrase from Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent and Feeling Guilty…And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, and Unapologetically Being Yourself by Aziz Gazipura) So, as the warmth of summer begins, sit back and allow yourself to be “just you”, choose your own rules, slow down and let go of the demand on yourself to be a people pleasing superhuman.