Summer Solstice: When Do We Pause?

WISDOM OF THE WEEK:
For many of us, spring is a steady march of garden chores and other tasks. Even nature seems to focus all of its energy on growth and expansion during this time.

But the Summer Solstice is this moment, this longest day of the year, when nature seems to take a brief pause, almost like the moment between the exhale and inhale. It’s a time for us to pause as well, to look around and notice the immense beauty that nature provides for us all.

Check out the video below to hear more:

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GETTING OUTSIDE:
Take a wander outside this week with one focus in mind. As you meander through your yard or neighborhood, pay special attention to your breath.

You don’t need to change your breathing at all, just notice the tempo and depth.

Follow your own natural rhythm. Can you sense the slight pause between your exhale and inhale?

When you’ve had a chance to tune in to your own breath for several minutes, slowly shift your awareness to the world around you. Can you sense in any way the natural world breathing with you? Can you feel the trees around you in their own rhythm of releasing oxygen? How about the little grasses and other plants around you?

How is their rhythm compared to your own?

Take a few minutes to feel this quiet from all directions and feel free to sketch any notes on your experience in your nature journal.

PLAY TIME:
One of our favorite ways to break the cycle of being busy is to grab everything we need for a meal and eat together outside.

Here’s a simple way to celebrate the pause together!

AN OUTDOOR MEAL
Supplies needed:
Blanket
Picnic food
Optional:
Fire and food to cook over the coals!
Storybook, deck of cards, or board game

1. Keep this as simple as possible so it doesn’t add much more “work” to your day.
2. Gather up basic supplies and food and head outside.
3. Choose a comfy spot to lay out your blanket.
4. Work together to set up the snacks or build the fire.
5. As you are eating together, check in with each other by taking turns sharing your answer to the question: “What was your favorite and least favorite part of today?”
6. When your meal is complete, tidy up together and return the spot to the way you found it.

DAILY QUESTIONS:
(Choose one each day and either answer together around the meal table, or write about it in your family nature journal)
1. What do you most appreciate about long summer days?
2. What surprised you most when you tuned into your breathing?
3. What season of the year is your favorite and why?
4. What lessons about life can we learn from the rhythm of the seasons?
5. How did it feel to notice the the world around you “breathing”?
6. What are some other ways you can think of to pause together as a family and celebrate?
7. What changes have you noticed in nature this week?

Click HERE to download the PDF version of this lesson