Endings And Beginnings
For as long as I can remember, the ENDING of a year ended during the month of June, and the BEGINNING of a year began during the month of September.
Summer was just a portal of fun
I started preschool when I was 4 years old. On the 6th of May, I turned 62—my entire life has encircled around the agrarian needs of a school calendar with its beginnings and endings differing from the traditional 12-month calendar.
As I approach the final weeks of school, I am reminded of this innate feeling, a gut instinct telling me, “It’s time to go and have some fun!”
I remember frantically reading about Summer programs and camps for my children beginning the planning process as early as March.
Michael and I saved our pennies for our children’s YMCA summer camps experiences. But the Portal of Fun also included organizing fundraisers with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop so they, too, could embark upon an adventure over the summer. I feverishly structured neighborhood odd-jobs for my children to participate in the fundraising efforts that they could help earn their way to camp. I excitedly planned yard sales, cleaning out the clutter of my home and simultaneously earning money toward a road trip, camping trip or perhaps a flight to the midwest to visit the kid’s grandparents.
Planning for this Portal of Fun was EXHAUSTING!
(and on occasion, not even all that fun)
And, by some miraculous set of circumstances, blood, sweat and tears, summer arrived and, indeed, so did the portal.
And you know what? It WAS fun! In fact, it was a blast!
Play for adults is critical in our stressful go-go-go lives. Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain functionality, and stimulate creativity. And it can even help to keep us young and feeling energetic. Studies show that play improves memory and stimulates the growth of the cerebral cortex.
Today, my kids are all grown. I now plan for the Portal of Fun for my husband, myself and my friends! I’m looking forward to these two adventures.
Are you making room in your life for a Portal of Fun?
Please join me for some adventure and exploration in my Yoga & Art!
