I remember the last day of sixth grade like it was yesterday. After we beat Mr. Herlinger’s class for the kickball championship, we received our goodbye speech from Mr. Young and then we were off … done with our last day of elementary school.
Five of us – Doug Lenderman, Scott Rivenbark, Stuart Tackett, and Jimmy Werling – walked to Stuart’s house to hang out all afternoon, playing wiffle ball and being boys. That night we all spent the night at Doug’s house and talked about our next steps in life, primarily Junior High School. The last day of school and the excitement of the summer ahead will remain with me forever.
Do you remember the last day of school? No matter how old or cool we got, it was still one of the best days of the year. Summer was here... with all its fun and freedom and camps and beach outings… it was summer, and nothing was better. I grew up in Central Florida, so the warm weather wasn’t a big deal, but summer was.
Is your summer experience similar to how it was when you were a kid? You’re likely reading this post within a day or two of July 9th … do you have that same buzz? Probably not. Most of us don’t. After all, our responsibilities don’t end for three months any more. The furthest problem we have is boredom. How can we ever have that bliss again as long as we have our careers, kids, community commitments, etc.? You may not be able to capture all of that bliss again, but strategy that I’ve used might help you gain some of it…
Pick one summer activity to consistently do between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A few years ago I decided that I would be in the pool all summer – every chance I got I’d jump in the pool. I dive in when I wake up on the weekends, I play in the pool every evening with my daughter, I jump in for a couple minutes after I come home from the gym (in my gym shorts), and I’ll lay around all Sunday afternoon in the pool if time permits. I’m always in the pool and it reminds me every day of the lazy, relaxing summertime.
What can you do? Maybe grill outside every chance you get. You could join a golf league or volunteer at a summer camp. I know you’re busy, but summer seems to slow down for everyone… just add one little summer activity and you’ll be surprised how much you’ll feel like a kid again (except being bored to death by mid-July).
