Time for Self and the Pace of Summer

Summer is a time to vacation, a time to slow our pace, enjoy the scenery, get inspired and dream.  July and August are more lightly scheduled, punctuated with small trips to escape routinues, enjoy the company of family and friends and plan  some warm time out for self, which often means more time to read for me.  In the mix of fun fiction summer books, I like to choose a couple of soulful books.  These titles help clarify and guide my life's purpose (that is the intention anyway.) 

Julia Cameron is a go-to author for creative strategies and daily reflections.  Her words and tools defined in, The Prosperous Heart Creating a Life of "Enough", offer useful ways to practice aligning my creative impulses with the practical, daily tasks which keep the bills paid, food in the fridge, etc.... This is a good title to keep around in hardcover as it can be reread and helpful in any transitionary time.

Often my creative impulses are inspired by nature.  Recently I stumbled on this photo by Marco Suarez titled Cali Coast.  We are reminded daily driving up and down hwy 1 of the majesty in our own backyard, but sometimes it takes an artists eye to give us another perspective and deepen that appreciation.

Another book I plan to read leisurely this summer is Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison.  There are 365 thought-provoking essays in this book and even if you don't practice yoga, which I don't as frequently as I would like, I think some of the ideas in this book will inspire a meaningful spiritual/physical practice whatever that may be.  Perhaps walking the dogs on the coastal trail at sunset?  This is a summer for creating art in the everyday and slowing to the perfect pace of nature.  Enjoy!

Nancy Arruda is the owner of on Main Street.