slow | Seeds of Design

After that horrendous heatwave earlier this month followed by the unhealthy impact of the wildfires in Canada plus last week’s deluge, we’ve finally been given some fine summer weather. I’m taking full advantage of it by first, limiting garden chores to the strictly necessary ( weeding, watering pots as needed and keeping the hummingbird feeders clean and full) and secondly, prioritizing summer pleasures like reading as many hours as I want to, indulging in frequent dips in the lake/pool/ocean, taking long walks in the early morning when its just me and the birds greeting the sun, catching up with friends I haven’t seen or spoken to in a while, endlessly watching feathered friends in the garden and, eating ice-cream as often as possible. Guilt-free.

The slowing down of the pace of living feels to me like the ultimate luxury. It brings about an awareness of ones surroundings that I can only describe as delicious. As though each of the senses is awakened anew simply by giving oneself the time and space to pay attention. I think that’s exactly why we have summer – an annual reset of mind, body and soul to live with intent and full out joy. Summer asks of us to live out loud and without reservation. To be fully present and engaged in the moment.

Much like the garden where the plants are growing with abandon, the birds and insects plundering the spoils of the season, I am throwing caution to the wind and embracing this summer on my own terms.

Savoring it slowly and gratefully.

My summer so far –