Authenticity Makes You Shine!

Pinch me! Summertime is here! Restless no more, I have embraced the energy of summer – with its sun and breeze, heat, and bold colors – and feel ready to take on the world! How about you? Life is such an adventure – even at its seemingly dullest moments there are elements of excitement and light if we only keep aware. What I’ve been leaning into for the past several years is developing a keen understanding of balanced and authentic living. A funny thing happens when you reach a “certain age” – life comes more fully into perspective. Preferences and priorities shift, attitudes and ambitions often change. I was, in fact, recently described as having become more “tempered”. Yikes! This was in context of how energetic I generally am; my zest and enthusiasm for life often tire out the people around me. But then I thought, “tempered”, yes, my life is balanced therefore all of me is balanced. I feel like summertime all the time within myself. Comfortable, relaxed, content.

Life is real good right now, and I have been contemplating how I arrived to this place, and more importantly, how I manage to sustain this state of constant relative bliss. This doesn't mean there are no obstacles or unfortunate matters to attend to. When I speak of bliss I am referring to contentment and calmness despite the curve balls of life. This season, I'm sharing with you a few key concepts I’ve identified to reach, and maintain, this happy state of being. That, summer time “livin’ is easy” vibe year-round.

1. Live simply and within your means. Be free of the shackles of debt and the acquisition of material things. Invest your resources in experiences and memory making.

2. Spend time with people who naturally bring out the best in you, and you in them. Cultivate love, friendships, and relationships that empower and inspire.

3. Engage in activities that bring you joy – every day. For me that is creative expression year-round and playing in the dirt now that warmer months have arrived.

4. Practice living life in a constant state of gratitude and learn to go with the flow of opportunities that life provides. Count it all as a blessing and realize the opportunity for growth in every unforeseen obstacle.

5. Allow lots of time for rest and relaxation. It’s okay to not be busy all the time. It’s okay to say “no” and to set boundaries for your time and energy.

6. Live authentically. Let the real you permeate every encounter and choice you make. No need to impress anybody other than yourself.

7. Own a cat. Basically, have a pet that you adore and that will bring unconditional love and adoration to your life.

As I play and reflect in my garden, I realize how my choices over the past several years have propelled me forward into this easy livin’ life I have currently. A career change afforded me the opportunity to reduce demands on my time and mental energy; downsizing my home environment actually created space and time for enjoying leisure activities; setting boundaries related to friendships and activities fostered more meaningful engagement; all these modifications created a simpler, calmer, more authentic and enjoyable daily life. How are you investing your time and resources? As we enjoy the pleasures of summer, take a few moments to assess if life feels good all the time or only when you’re in a beach chair. (But let’s be honest, life always feels good lounging in a beach chair by the sea!) Let’s keep up the summertime vibe year-round within our lives! Shine without effort and let your light radiate naturally around and within the environments that make up your world.