What Is There To Do?

'What is there to do?' is the question children often ask their parents as the long summer days go from being a get-out-of-jail-free card from the tedious school days to the what-is-there-to-do days of late August. Being the official first day of summer, as well as the actual longest day of the year, it seemed appropriate to ponder 'What is there to do?'

If you're like me, you likely have an endless to-do list. It seems that no matter how much time and energy I put into getting through it, the list is quite literally never-ending. Some things, of course, are easy and quick to take care of, and it feels good to cross them off as tasks are completed. Other things take more time, or require the help of someone else, or demand more of our thought regarding the best long-term solution to achieve the best result, often making the list feel overwhelming.

Upon awaking today, knowing it is the longest day of the year, my first thought was to spend a few of those extra minutes resting in bed, which I did. It's important to use some of our time for ourselves. I then was determined to use this longest day to its fullest. I arose and began with yoga sun salutations, as I do most mornings. This practice prepares my body, mind, and soul to face each day with joy. I then tended the dust bunnies of my life - tidying the remnants of my daughters' movie watching last evening, doing a load of laundry, preparing my grocery list, checking on my schedule for the day. Knowing my dust bunnies are in their place frees me to mindfully approach the more important aspects of my life, like my writing, children, husband, house guest, friends and family, dog, home.

Tonight, I will host my annual Summer Solstice Yoga. My friends and I will gather in my garden and practice yoga, accompanied by harp music, to celebrate this, the longest day of the year. After our practice, we will eat, drink, and be merry, the perfect way to enjoy the day until the end. As you embark on this longest day of the year, may the time it offers allow you to easily answer the question, 'What is there to do?' and to find joy in doing that which you love, as well as tending to the dust bunnies of your life. Namaste.