“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” –F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Likewise, these next few days we welcome and celebrate the long and direct sunlight with the onset of summer. It is the Summer Solstice around the 20th, 21st and 22nd of June, abundant with daylight; these June and summer days filled with the most daylight of the year. 

With the onset of spring we feel invigorated with the rebirth of nature. Surely, with the start of the summer season, we honor nature’s power to warm the waters we swim in, to give abundant light to gardeners, farmers and landscapers to grow produce and keep lawns, parks and roadsides beautiful.

Summer is here and finally we can quench our inner desire to have outdoor fun, swim and play, exercise in the sun and refresh in pools, lakes and oceans. We can bike to our heart’s desire, mow and beautify our lawns week after week and relax under trees after picnics and walks.

Not surprising, summer inspires us and grants inner permission to write a poem while relaxing at the beach or hiking on a trail. Too, something inside of us awakens with new light. We are prompted to finish our books, short stories and creative projects while we rest from the outdoors.

Without a doubt summer calls us to linger at the beach, swim and walk alongside where the waves rush in teasing the sand and our bare feet. Then the sand again beacons us to write, draw and make some structure of sand albeit temporary yet so playful. 

I agree with F. Scott Fitzgerald and believe life, love, happiness and inspiration stir and surface in us activated and motivated by the brightness and casual living of summer. Enjoy your summer: Be bold, explore, follow your heart’s desire, take off go on road trips and vacation. There is a “Spirit of Summer.” As we live and enjoy the summer, may we experience more of the liveliness and happiness of this season.