Here we are, amidst the glow of summer. The air hums with radiant energy and faces beam with sun-kissed smiles. The palpable sense of this season screams new beginnings, making one question if the true New Year doesn’t start with the summer solstice.
Sure, the turn of the calendar year, marked by the cold bite of January (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), is recognized worldwide. But there’s an irresistible pull to the word ‘Summer’ that awakens a wave of light-hearted anticipation in the human psyche.
Yes, we know, it’s vacation time! The very embodiment of summer. But wait, it’s not just about taking a break. This season can also be a splash of rejuvenation, a source of rewards, and a period of easy growth. Self-improvement needn’t always wear the cloak of seriousness we don during the gloomier seasons. Let’s switch to Summer Mode — relaxed and carefree. Let what resonates linger, and the rest can ebb away like a receding wave.
So, grab your beach towel, secure a riveting book under your arm, top off that iced tea, and unplug from the digital world. Let the rhythmic melody of ocean waves lull you into tranquility.
Now, let’s delve into enriching conversations about Love, Happiness, Joy, and the Self. Let’s unwrap the wisdom of the Four Pillars—just four, I promise! After all, it’s summer, not a laborious winter evening. It’s a vacation, not a seminar. So, let’s keep it light and breezy!
Consider the Four Corners of Wisdom:
Love without reason.
Happiness without things.
Joy without experiences.
Self without idea.
Love Without Reason
Love unconditionally. If your love requires a reason, it is transactional, only sustainable as long as it’s profitable for all parties involved.
Happiness Without Things
Find happiness that is not tied to possessions or tangibles. Attachment to objects for happiness is unhealthy. As the object’s state changes, so does your emotional state, reflecting the impermanence of all things. Don’t allow your possessions to possess you.
Joy Without Experience
Experience joy that isn’t contingent on particular experiences. Joy tied to experiences is not genuine joy but fleeting pleasure. Pleasure perpetuates a craving for itself, tricking you into believing that the object of desire can offer continual joy. Seeking pleasure is merely an avoidance of the reality of the present moment, wherein the false self cannot survive.
Self Without Idea
Discover yourself beyond concepts and labels. A self constructed from ideas is the ego. When you strive to discover, invent, market, vindicate, or escape yourself, you are operating at the behest of the false self. You exist. Adding anything more creates a fictitious narrative you can lose yourself in.
Isn’t there a part of you that has grown weary of this ceaseless chase for pleasure and the constant evasion of pain? I certainly am. This is why I keep the Four Corners of Wisdom in mind. This philosophy doesn’t ask much of you, just a touch of awareness. And while I promised no heavy lifting for the summer, cultivating awareness doesn’t equate to work. It’s an innate skill that sharpens with use. No gym membership is needed, and there are no hefty fees for fancy retreats.
All you need is within you. Awareness does the work for you. It’s a reflex that strengthens each time it’s engaged. No need for excessive thought — a relief, particularly in the summer. Just be attentive. It’s free, playful, and serene, like collecting shells on the water’s edge.
Do you know what else is free? Health. Illness, on the other hand, comes with a cost. Summer is a reminder to ‘work smarter, not harder’. Bask in the soft, lemon-yellow sun and breathe in the fragrance of the summer breeze. Make this your approach to self-work. The world may demand much of you, often nonsensically. No need to aid it in sapping your energy.
Remember, “Summertime and the living is easy.” Let the warm rays of the sun grace your skin, attune your ears to the happy chirps of dawn, share a quiet moment on the stoop with a friend, and savor the balmy summer nights. If solitude finds you, don’t give it your worry. Cast your gaze upon the twinkling stars of the summer night sky. Allow yourself to dream a little — it’s free, too. And don’t forget to play that tune that stirs ease and well-being in your heart. This is what personal growth should feel like.
Can you be the space for this?
Love, happiness, joy, and self—these precious gems—these four corners of your psyche—don’t come with price tags or certificates of authenticity. They are inherently yours. Just polish them a bit and keep their nature uncomplicated. Display them with pride, and don’t hesitate to let your brilliance shine.
Love isn’t transactional, so don’t play games or sign contracts. Happiness isn’t merely the fulfillment of desires. Let go of that pursuit. Joy isn’t ephemeral. It resides within you, beneath the surface of fleeting emotions. The Self isn’t a defined identity.
See! It's easy peasy, and your iced tea isn’t even sweating yet. Happy Summer, everyone. Be good to yourself.
Note to Reader: This article was created with the scent of lavender, the kiss from a loved one, and the sun at my back like a warm, encouraging hand, prompting me to share the shine.
Let’s look out for each other
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