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For those of us living in the Western hemisphere, I ask, what has happened to summer? It seems to be whizzing past in a blur of activity. Too many of us are living on an artificial rhythm, staying too busy to sit and stare at blue water, too occupied to fish beside one of our children listening to the breeze and the splash of a woodland stream. Our schedules are too packed with visiting relatives, as much as we love them.
Everyone I know is saying, I need time to breathe, to dream, to recreate, just to be. My new ambition is to take next summer off - entirely. I was having this conversation with a friend of mine who is an anthropologist who with regular work in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. I have been going to Pacific Island countries for the past twelve years myself. We both notice that the rural people have far more balance and being in their lives. After attending to the children, the farming and the fishing, they spend about 40% of the day just sitting, watching the children play, chatting, laughing and singing.
Those of us who live in climates with more than one season, need to allow the rhythms of our bodies to flow with the seasons. In winter, we want to sleep more, take wonderful naps, read good books. In Spring we want to plant and putter in our gardens to offset the intense pace of work. In Summer we need to play. In Autumn, rejuvenated, we feel ready for fresh challenges and new projects.
So, I for one want to take next summer off, to drift, doze and dream. Meanwhile, I create small clearings within each busy day - spaces for prayer, play and puttering, no matter what else is going on in my life. This will be a short note. I need to go outside and stare for a while. What do you need?
All the best,
Linda Kavelin-Popov
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