Reasons to Reflect On Your Summer and Sharing New Stories

Summers go by quickly, particularly here in Minnesota, and it’s incredibly challenging to cram everything we want to do in a short summer season. 

Some people plan their summer calendar three months out, while others will take each moment as it comes. No plans – no problem. 

Whatever your summer planning or lack of planning style may be, now is a great time to reflect and make a list of the highlights. Making a list or even a mental list is a great way to appreciate the full value of your summer experiences. Before you know it, the season has slipped away and you're left wondering what did I even do this summer?

Leif Erikson Park at Duluth, MN (overlooking Lake Superior)

I must admit, this summer had its highlights, but it also had a list of annoyances. 

The lawn mower broke, the garage door broke, the air conditioner broke and an army of ants started building a condominium addition on the side of our house. 

If you looked real close you could see them enjoying one heck of a summer party. At one point, I think I spotted them playing beach volleyball on an Olympic size sand mound they built for their picnic party. 

And, not to be left out of the fun, a shrew tried to start a summer picnic of his own in our window well.  Let’s just say, I “took care of” the situation before he could open his picnic basket and get a taste of the good life. He soon got the message that life is no picnic and was escorted to the park exit by way of a brown paper bag. The details aren’t relevant to this story, but I discovered taming of the shrew was a lot harder than I thought it would be. 

Now, those three quick months are to be seen in the rearview mirror and there’s a tendency to forget… who we saw, what we did, or where the thrills took place. 

Reasons to reflect on your summer: 

1. Recognizing accomplishments nourishes your spirit.
2. Helps you live with intention in future ventures.
3. Seeing a written "done" list gives a sense of triumph. 
4. Encourages and motivates for future planning.
5. Might see where changes need to be made.
6. Reflecting on the experience is a mood booster.
7. Reminds you to feel satisfied and grateful.

If nothing else, reviewing your list can give a jump start on the fall season to decide what can still be accomplished. Maybe, start making your wanna do fall list...

Goal ➥ Plan ➥ Action ➥ Reality

Looking over the last few months, I’m incredibly grateful for the time spent with family and friends - lunches, dinners, and happy hour meet-ups. Especially enjoyed a visit to my hometown for a special gathering of friends and then followed up seeing extended family for a day of catch-up.

Besides my few annoyances this summer, I feel pretty good about the events I attended, goals accomplished and the completion of some writing challenges. 

New Stories ~ Two Drops of Ink: A Literary Blog 

Over the summer, I had two new stories published on Two Drops Of Ink. The first one is a personal story written with reflection in mind.  It wasn't meant to dredge-up difficult emotions from a time long ago, but to recognize personal growth and is a reminder that we're in charge of what direction we want life to take us.  This piece is not my usual reality story with a twist of humor, but rather a reality story with a twist of betrayal, followed by determination. 

Click on the link to read A Midnight Move. I hope some part of its message speaks to your own experiences and personal determination ~ sometimes what we've planned doesn't go our way.

A Midnight Move - Two Drops Of Ink: A Literary Blog

The second article is directed towards the creative-minded souls that may struggle with their creative mojo or getting stuck in a slump.  I'm finding that writing is a finicky art that can have its brilliant moments, but is also filled with self-doubt, wavering indecision and cluttered thinking.

I wrote this out of my own struggle with the creative writing process and discovering that the real problem is thinking too much and not trying to do something different. 

At times, overthinking something can be the "actual doing it" killer.  Then, I ran across a story of this woman that created the practice of doing yoga alongside goats.  Yes, this random and almost silly idea gave someone the creative chutzpah to act on the notion and they didn't look back. What followed for me was the inspiration to my article...Finding Your Creative Ideas May Require A Goat. 

Finding Your Creative Ideas May Require A Goat - Two Drops Of Ink: A Literary Blog

Here's to a new season with new challenges

Yes, it’s sad to see another summer float down the lazy river of unexpected “warm spots,” but truth be told, the fall season is my favorite. 

Here’s to us all moving forward to the next season with a positive force. 

How about you - were your summer expectations met? 

Did you host ant picnics at your house…tame a shrew?

Indulging In the Write Stuff ✍

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