Summer Reflections

 

 These are the lush days---the days when the greens are the deepest, the foliage is its thickest, and life often feels its fullest. Summer just before the turning into fall. 

For many this summer has been the most unusual of our lives; a summer when doing what has always been normal or expected or routine has been upended. All indications are that fall will continue that trend, so perhaps it is time to sit in the summer sunshine and reflect on these past days.

Take your journal or notebook and sit in an outdoor space. Perhaps where you have spent time this summer. 

Close your eyes lightly, not tightly, and take a deep cleansing breath. And another and yet another, until you feel your body relaxing and finding an easy rhythm.

 Open your eyes and breathe in your surroundings. Look all around you, especially behind you. Take your time. Note the colors, the smells and sounds, the patterns. Note what interests you, grabs your attention. Perhaps you are aware of something that feels new or different. Allow yourself to gaze, to graze in this summer space.

Close your eyes once again. Lightly, not tightly, and take a trip through your summer days. Walk the paths of June, July, and August, just at an end. What images come to mind? Do you recall any significant conversations or events? Remember an ordinary day, and relive the hours. Spend time in those summer days.

When you are ready, open your eyes and read through the following questions. Choose one or two to reflect on in your journal--perhaps one question that feels easy and comfortable and another that makes you edgy, itchy. 

1.    How was this summer similar to past summers? What did you do that you always do, that symbolizes summer for you?

2.    How was this summer different, unusual? How was this summer different from the way you hoped summer would be?

3.    What were your challenges this summer? How did you cope with the challenges or was your response more resistance than adaptability?

4.    What did you learn about yourself this summer? How did you stretch this summer? When were you the teacher and when were you the student?

5.    What regrets do you have about this summer? How will that guide you into the next season?  What are your hopes for the fall of 2020? How will you live into those hopes?

6.    What was unexpected about the summer? Were there any pleasant surprises? Any moments of beauty and calm?

7.    Does anything need to be healed from these months?

8.    Did you notice the movement of God in your life? If so, when, where, how? Were there any times you felt fully present?

9.    Were there events this summer that were upsetting to you? Did those events change your thinking or awareness? What does this mean going forward?

10.   Complete the statement "The summer of 2020 was..." Why did you choose those words or phrases? 

11.   What question haven't I asked? 

Well, this should keep you writing for some time. Consider discussing these questions with a friend or small group, remembering to listen as you share reflections. 

These reflections can be a steppingstone to the next months in your life. I send you blessings as you look back and move forward.

An Invitation: I would love to hear from you about your summer.