Jul 18th, 2024

“Smell the sea, and feel the sky,
Let your soul and spirit fly.”

– Van Morrison

These happy thoughts are from a surfer’s paradise in Cornwall. For me this is as abroad as I ever need to be! And at a time of year, come rain or shine, that is that special time of year – summer! From earliest childhood memories surely a time that conjures up for all of us, holidays, outside, activities, picnics, sun, fun, bare feet, family frolics, adventures with friends, swimming, chilling, warmth and clouds and wind and music drifting through the ether… a break in the order of things and a time to let in some sunshine and some pause to the humdrum…. To feel the absolute delights of being alive…

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high”

– George Gershwin / Dubose Heyward

In a multimedia world as we grow older and have adult responsibilities this becomes for many of us more and more difficult to achieve. But we must do everything we possibly can to retain this magic and the childlike bewilderment of life and all it has to offer. And the summer offers us a time and a vibe like no other time in the year. To keep energetic and to keep going you have to stop and stare from time to time. And this is the time of year to do it. Everything around you tells you so – the sun, the light, the warmth, even the downpours! Look around, breathe in, listen, and take a moment. Take several moments. It’s summertime!

“Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter
Little darlin’, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s alright”

– George Harrison