I can’t believe there was a time in my life when the long summer months stretched out before me. Unbounded time to play, explore, be lazy, and even indulge in a bit of innocent mischief.
Now, work, combined with my ambitious summer aspirations, is piling up as high as an Himalayan mountain. I find I need to make a conscious effort to create time and space for frolicking aimlessly. Is it the same for you?
Decreasing Excess Activity
In a stroke of synchronicity, I received my July I-Ching Reading from the Vizier. The theme: Great Excess! Images like a loaded pillar at the point of breaking caution me to reduce and eliminate excess. Moderation, apparently, is my path to success.
As suggested, I paused to examine what these potential areas of excess might be. A penchant for work, thinking too much, and a few rich foods immediately popped into mind. But, I suspect there are more subtle arenas of excess that could be obstructing me!
The Perfect Time for a Blogging Break
Excess: it’s the theme for all of July! 31 days to explore what’s too much, learn subtraction, and carve out ample time for frivolity.
So it might not surprise you to hear:
- I’ll be taking a blogging and social media break for the month of July! Starting July 5th. I’d love to hear your thoughts on excess in the comments in the meantime.
I don’t plan to be rigid about this. You never know, I may pop up from time-to-time or send some inspiration to your inbox! And, I’m still working and taking writing assignments. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need a writer who can make your words shine.
Good Reads
I image you’ll be outside, getting your well-deserved dose of sunshine too. But should you be inclined to read, here are my special suggestions for you.
From me:
- Simply scroll down to read my most recent articles, which have received favorable reviews.
- Visit my popular posts page for all the hot stuff.
- Read 101 Rays of Gratitude – you could do this too on a lazy summer day!
- Thoughts sparked by the 4th of July: Independence is an Illusion
- Read my new post at the Envision Writing Blog: Exceptional Links on Writing, Blogging, and Microbusiness
- I’m reading The Fire Starter Sessions and recommend it highly for those interested in entrepreneurship flavored by the metrics of ease. Or check out my other book recommendations.
A few outstanding posts and possibilities from around the web:
- Are You a Tree Hugger Too? – The global benefits provided by trees are astounding. Sadly, diminishing forests threaten the very existence of life.
- When You Have Nothing Left to Lose, You Only Have Everything Left to Gain – On one of the most powerful attitudes you can have as a writer or blogger.
- Violence and Moral Dystopia on the L-Train – An amazing story of compassion in the face of violence.
- The Wisdom of Allowing Things to Happen – The one shift that might really change you.
- If you would like to take your blog to the next level, you might be interested in the Goodblog Project with Courtney Carver, which begins in August.
Watch Fear and Fearlessness, a short talk by the ever-popular Pema Chödron. You might be surprised how a simple nun can set you straight!
What do you do when excess comes to haunt you? What are your plans for midsummer mischief?
Thank you for reading and sharing! If you enjoyed this article please subscribe for free updates by email. With love, Sandra
Have a wonderful July, Sandra
I’ll be back to continue reading the links you’ve recommended.
Love, Vidya
Vidya Sury recently posted..A Cherished Privilege
Thank you for your good wishes, Vidya! I hope you have a good July too.
Good for you, Sandra! It would be nice to just get a break from everything—-but life is speeding up for me and this would not be the time! I am glad you are doing what you need to do and listening to that inner sage! It sounds like you have a lot of things to do even though you won’t be blogging! I am hoping that an opportunity for a break will present itself one day in the not too distant future, too! I just might have to leave town to get something like that, though:)
Enjoy your time off and relax/refresh! Hugs!
Hi Jean,
It sounds like a special time in your life to go with the momentum rather than interrupt it with a break! Sounds exciting. Yes, this won’t be a complete break for me, which I would love to have. But I too have a certain momentum of enthusiasm that feels right. I suspect my levels of excess are in more subtle areas! Thanks for your thoughts.
The post title caught my attention right away. As soon as I read “midsummer mischief,” I thought to myself, Count me in!
I take mini breaks from the computer when I’m up at the cabin. Taking an extended break would really open up some different doors of experience and perception. Good for you!
You have been through a lot this last year, so taking a break to frolic sounds just perfect. Wishes for a luscious July.
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Hi Galen,
I’m a big fan of mini-breaks. It will be interesting to have a whole month away from social media. I will still be working so it’s not a full break but I’m keen on finding some time to frolic too. Thanks for your good wishes!
Glad I caught you before you went offline. Have a wonderful break, Sandra. I wish you good luck with your writing assignments, which knowing you, I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job of! Thanks for all the links. Take care ♥
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Go Find Your Smile
Corinne,
Thanks for your good wishes! They warm my heart.
Glad to hear you are examining your life and consciously deciding what works for you. I can definitely relate to what you say about your tendency to be constantly working — I notice myself feeling guilt when I’m not promoting one of my projects, and it’s always important to remind myself that the projects are nothing more than a reflection of how much I am growing and taking care of myself.
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Hi Chris,
It’s easy for many of us, it seems, to slip into constantly working. It shapes our “identity” in so many ways. But, also, from a positive perspective it is how we are contributing positively and creatively in the world. Guilt can be hard to shake off, though in myself I realize it doesn’t actually help me in any way. May you continue to grow in leaps and bounds! Thanks for your thoughts.
Have a wonderful July Sandra. Excess to me feels like overwhelm…and yes I’ve done that to myself once or twice…okay maybe more. So to coin a British phrase ‘more power to your elbow, kiddo’ i.e. good for you.
Enjoy your break and like Vidya, I shall be back to read the posts you recommend. Your writing always fills me with peace.
Elle recently posted..Ideas To Shape Your World.
Hi Elle,
I thought it was overwhelm too, but now I’m seeing it relates to other arenas of my life. Generally, I feel energized rather than overwhelmed and also more able to integrate balance into my life. But it’s these other sneaky areas I need to look at! Thanks for your good thoughts and kind words. I am touched!
Hi Sandra,
The trick about excess is to notice it before it takes hold. Looks like you have it sussed.
Enjoy the break, Sandra.
Keith recently posted..72 Things I Don’t Want To Regret On My Deathbed
That’s a really good point, Keith. It’s interesting for me because as I spend time with the idea, I feel the excess is coming from unexpected places. It’s prompting me to focus in those places, so I’m glad. thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Sandra,
I hope you have a relaxing and rest filled summer break. As you know I spend my summers with close friends and their kids every year. I tend to blog less frequently while we are enjoying our summer adventures, which tend to be beach and sunshine focused. As I read this post I recognized how much I’m looking forward to their return. The kids are filled with wonder and are so easily entertained by simply connecting with nature and expressing themselves in artistic and musical ways. I’m the biggest kid in the bunch and being the leader of the kid pack energizes me. I love to play and I’m looking forward to my play time on the beach.
All my best to you always.
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I nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award! See it here: http://withanopenheart.org/2012/07/12/thank-you-for-the-beautiful-blogger-award-and-the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/#more-678
Hi Sandra,
it is a good idea to take some time off from time to time. You will come back with new energy. Also it prevents from finding the things one loves boring. So enjoy your break and I hope we read you soon
Drake
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