According to the calendar, the official start of summer is June 21. But the days are becoming warmer and longer so if we didn't have a calendar to tell us the first "official" day, we might guess it's coming.
Honestly, there is a part of me that longs to try and figure out the seasons without a calendar to note the start of any one of them. To look at the night sky and understand it. To tell time based on the position of the sun. To wonder if the wind was saying something about what is coming.
There is a rhythm to all seasons. A definite start and stop. And a long linger between those seasons at times when you live in So Cal. Or a mix up. LOL. It happens.
We think here in So Cal that we don't have seasons. I disagree. It's not as pronounced perhaps as other parts of the US but there are some tell-tale signs. The seasons here tend to linger between at times. Nature seems "confused" at times. But there are seasons and a rhythm.
I've been doing a little study on these seasons and rhythm. What makes it so, why do some things seem to happen at certain times of the year to both humans, animals, and crops. It's rather fascinating. But I won't elaborate here.
My biggest disappointment with the summer coming are the ads and mindset that somehow, we are not fit enough to welcome summer in. There is serious work to do and bodies to change and sizes to alter. You must have a "beach body" - what is that?
A clever post from a co-instructor a couple years back said this (and pardon the paraphrase) "Your body is beach ready. Exactly as it is."
Boom. Drop the mic. Shut the door. Done. Said. Enough.
For those who feel the weight (and dare I introduce shame) that they can't enter our incredible season called summer unless they are a certain size, weight, look....bs. It's all bs.
I've bought into that bs. I've spent a family vacation after the birth of my youngest child "hiding" and not enjoying the opportunity to swim and have fun in Florida on vacation! A place I haven't been since. What??? Regrets. Big time regrets.
I know people on the journey who use food as fuel, enjoy drink as a way of life that is not abused and don't buy into programs. I admire them so much. They get it. I am trying to get it. I'm trying to balance grace, wisdom and action.
I come from a fad diet generation that promises this and that and is based on "scientifically proven" substances, programs, and whatever else. Ugh. Been there, done that Yo-yo crap.
My issue - my heart. My issue - my view of food and drink and freedom. And as I have been leaning in closer to those truths and recognizing that, wow. So good. And not easy.
It's not perfect. It's not tied up in a neat package that I can manufacture and reproduce for all to do. No one or no company can.
Truth is, "all" means different. What works for me may work for a few, or none, but to cookie-cutter anything is to limit the ability of the Creator, who created each of us so uniquely, to find our sweet spot.
And what is that? I'm into sports - and that means that perfect swing of the racquet on the tennis court where it connects with the ball and you know that it's going to go over the net and be GOOD. Or, the swing of the club (driver) off the tee where everything feels perfectly aligned and there it goes....that little ball traveled far and well. Or that wave comes and you get up in it and ride it and it's just you and the sea. And it's good. The sweet spot.
Our sweet spot is unique. Sure, we can glean some great info out there to incorporate into our lives that help us onto a better path that others do but in the end, I do believe there is a level of uniqueness. Only us. Our DNA. Our body. Our system. Our perfect sweet spot. Our unique creation from the Creator.
And I hope, no, I pray, and am determined, that I allow my friends and loved ones to find their sweet spot. I never want to be a voice of discouragement when they find it, when they are finding health, when they are honoring the Spirit within. And it looks different. That place is sacred. That place is wonderful. That place is unique and created just for that person. Who am I to say different?
So, in closing to the crazy thing called a blog that no one may read, I am praying as summer comes that all those I love and know will know they ARE beach ready. They are enough. They are on their journey. And they are a great idea.
Be your best, find YOUR sweet spot. And live there.