It took a while for summer-like warmth to truly take hold here in central PA this spring. We had a bit of nice weather that got our hopes up, but then a week or two of unusually chilly temperatures and rain made many of us despair a little that summer would never come. Of course, weather patterns changed, temperatures rose, and the very same people who complained about the chilly weather began to grumble about the heat and humidity (myself included).
This year in May, I was delighted to travel with my family to be there as my younger daughter graduated from college. At times, I was overwhelmed being with everyone, but once I returned home and everything was quiet, I missed the chaos of everyone being together. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was simply impossible to please!
This seems to be part of the human experience. When the weather is cool, we wish for more heat but when it gets hot, we want colder days. When life is filled with commitments and activities, we yearn for quieter times, but when we have less to do, we wish things were busier. When we are surrounded by friends and family, we yearn for a little time to ourselves yet when we are alone, we long for more company.
As the summer continues to unfold, I’m going to put my mental and emotional energy into appreciating the moments. I will look for the joy in sweaty-hot weather, lively family activity, hours and hours at the computer working, torrential rain, quiet lunches on my own, or all sorts of other experiences. Life is filled with a wide variety of blessings – I simply need to take notice.
May we all find ways to enjoy the gift of the moment this summer and always.
Peace,