Since the beginning of time, the sun has been a source of light, life, warmth and joy - it's what automatically helps our moods improve and focus on the bright side of life; literally. Summer typically is about hot days by the beach drinking a long ice cold drink, barbecues, friends and family, laughs and a time of euphoric peace as we watch the world go by. It's a time to sit back and allow our minds and bodies to shift down a gear or two to let go and regain the strength it needs to gain focus and clarity on our direction in life.
Furthermore, it is the ideal time to gather as many happy mental pictures, sounds and feeling we can bring back with us to re-access when we need them. It's a time for truly feeling alive, which reminds me of something Howard Thurman once said:
"Don't ask what the world needs - ask what makes you come alive and go and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive".
Gauge your attitude, or get one!
Whether we're travelling abroad for a short break, or driving twenty minutes to a location that puts us into a state of mental Summer existence i.e. the park or beach; it boils down to one vital element - ATTITUDE.
Attitude by definition is: a position of the body, manner of carrying oneself or a state of mind or a feeling, and it's the main ingredient for constructive change in any area of one's life. I recently attended a seminar where John Laval, who's the President of the Society of NLP, got up to speak. He said that most people complain to him and say: "John, you have an attitude problem". His immediate reply to them is always: "It's not that I have an attitude problem, I just have attitude. Go get yourself one".
Attitude is similar to having a firm and straight iron rod that constantly supports your back. Your attitude should be your constant source of strength, support and approach to life. Attitude should be a place where you constantly access positive and helpful thoughts that guide you when facing a challenge. Even William James said: "A human being can alter his life by altering his attitude".
If you want to truly enjoy your summer and make the best of it, let your attitude be the pillar that supports your approach to everyday life. Research has proven that when the mind is relaxed and at ease, the left (logical, mathematical and rational) brain hemisphere and the right (creative, artistic and imaginative) brain hemisphere communicate better, thus allowing the person to come up with fantastic ideas and plans. How many stressed, tense and bored people do you know who come up with innovative solutions to complex problems - personal or none? Chanced are: no one.
A time to laugh..
As such, being serious, responsible and hard working is equally as important as having fun, laughing, relaxing and enjoying some time out of the usual routine, and summertime is the ideal time to do this thanks to its slower pace. So allow yourself to drift off into your very capable unconscious mind to bring back some of the valuable resources you can benefit from, this can only be done when you let go and enjoy what life has to offer.
Moreover, make sure you don't corrupt your precious summer with petty insecurities and social superficialities that lead to competitive tension and stress. This is a time to enjoy and detach from the everyday stressful routine. Even if you're not travelling abroad for a vacation, make sure you dedicate at least an afternoon to the sole purpose of relaxing and re-charging those mental and physical batteries.
Finally, I'd like to share with you what Michael Neill refers to as:
The Five Rules of HAPPINESS:
1) If you like something, enjoy it.
2) If you don't like something - avoid it.
3) If you don't like something, and you can't or won't avoid it - change it.
4) If you don't like something, and you can't or won't change it - accept it.
5) There are no rules for being happy - just be happy [life is too short].
Until next time.. Live, don't just exist!
©Taymour Qabazard, 2005
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