Earlier this week, our local newscasters basically declared summer to be over. This made me wonder why it’s so hard for us to just appreciate and enjoy the moment we’re in.
Welcome to the 173rd edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a quote of the week. In addition to taking time to enjoy the moment, this week’s edition looks at subway cooling innovations, cougars returning to Minnesota, and the health benefits of jumping.
On my mind this week: Just enjoy the moment
As we watched the local news this week, the anchor and weather host have been talking like summer is basically over. I could understand it if we’d been experiencing cooler temperatures, but this came amid a beautiful stretch of mid-summer weather.
My husband and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. Yes, it’s the middle of August, but let’s not rush things. Kids in Ontario still have three more weeks of summer holidays before going back to school after Labour Day. The fall equinox isn’t until September 22. And we can usually count on decent weather until at least early October.
Canadian summers are short enough. Let’s not make them shorter by rushing into a fall mindset any earlier than we need to.
Watching this exchange made me wonder why it’s so hard for us to simply enjoy the moment we’re in. We always need to be moving on to the next thing. I suppose it’s a symptom of a society that conditions us to never be satisfied with where we are or what we have.
Don’t wish your life away
When I was a child, my parents used to say, “Don’t wish your life away” whenever I’d get excited about something coming up. For years, as an adult, I wished winters away as I looked forward to spring. Maybe it’s the wisdom of age, but I’ve learned to enjoy the moment and focus on finding positives in every day and every season.
Unlike many people in my age group, I have no desire to be a snowbird and I’m not really big on winter vacations to sunny destinations. I enjoy my home and community and don’t want to be away for months on end. And travelling in the winter is just a royal pain in the you-know-what.
For now, I’ll consider my summer cup as still half full—or more precisely 40% full based on the number of days until fall’s official arrival. I will make the most of the nice weather for as long as it lasts.
Winter will come soon enough. And that’s okay because there’s always something to enjoy.
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Three highlights of the week
It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:
- I am loving all the fresh fruit and vegetables this time of year. Along with tomatoes from my garden, I’ve been enjoying local peaches, cherries, peas, beans and zucchini. So good!
- We enjoyed our last few days as a family before Colleen returned to PEI on Monday, and Laura and Matt flew back to BC on Wednesday. Now the nest is empty again.
- After a busy few weeks, I had a couple of productive days at the end of the week to catch up on a few things.
Things I learned this week
Life is all about learning. Here are three things I learned this week:
Subway cooling innovation
A Canadian company is testing an energy efficient cooling system in New York’s subway system. Loops of chilled water-filled pipes installed in ceiling arches absorb heat and cool the air.
The system doesn’t use any fans, making it more compact than traditional air conditioning. It’s also easier to maintain and 25% to 35% more efficient.
(Source: CBC What on Earth)
Cougars return to Minnesota
Researchers in Minnesota have seen the first evidence of cougar reproduction in the state in over 100 years. Once native to Minnesota, cougars disappeared a century ago.
(Source: Happy Eco News)
Benefits of jumping
If you’re not jumping as part of your fitness routine, you’re missing out on important health benefits. Just 10 to 20 jumps twice a day is enough to help maintain muscle function and strengthen bones.
(Source: Super Age)
Quote of the week
This quote sums up my thoughts on our empty nest this week.
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.
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I was thinking exactly the same thing about summer: it’s only half over! We still have lots of warm days and sunshine ahead. I’m making an effort to pause and relish the moments so that they don’t pass without me noticing. What a joy it is right now to breeze out the door with what I’m wearing and just add a sunhat! Delightful!
Exactly, Caroline. It’s so important to pause and appreciate what’s happening right now instead of always rushing on to the next thing.
Thanks for the information on jumps. I’ll be jumping for joy every from now on.
We’ve had a brutal summer here in the UK, so I, for one, cannot wait for it to be over. However, when Autumn arrives, I’ll certainly be living for the moment and wishing it stays for good.
Enjoy your jumping, Hugh! 😂
I appreciate what you’re saying. I’m not a fan of extreme heat, and I can definitely do without the poor air quality and wildfire smoke that seem to be part of every Canadian summer in recent years. It was more the fact that we’re always looking ahead to the next thing rather than fining something to appreciate in the moment we’re in that struck me. And I agree that an endless autumn would be wonderful. It is my favourite season of all! Long walks in cozy sweaters, and brilliant colours. What’s not to love about that? 🍂🍁
Thanks, Michelle. I see what you mean by appreciating the moment rather than looking ahead. However, I seem to have spent more time indoors than outdoors this summer. Sure, I can find plenty to do indoors, but I do miss the summers of yesteryears. I tend to look back more than I do look forward. The endless summers back then were wonderful.
Great post, Michelle. You local produce sounds amazing, and I appreciate the perspective on enjoying the moment. It’s the opposite in Phoenix, but I’ve been trying more to find the beauty in the brutal heat rather than wish too much for fall’s arrival.
Thanks, Erin. Yes, the local produce this time of year is so wonderful.
Interestingly, the two ladies on the news did comment that six months from now, we’ll be complaining about the cold. Exactly why we should enjoy the moment rather than wishing it away.
Ah….your choice of the Dr. Seuss quote at the end is perfect, Michelle. I’m with you – and the good Dr. Seuss. What’s the rush…savor a little. Always on to the next thing….yes! I feel that, too, and appreciate your perspective today. xoxoxo! 😊❤️😊
Thanks, Vicki. Yes, there’s so much wisdom in Dr. Seuss and many of those children’s stories. Too bad we forget so much of it in our hurry to grow up. 🤗
Exactly! But look at you — bringing him forward. Love it! ❤️😉❤️
🤗💚🤗
Couldn’t agree more! Just enjoy the moment. There’s still plenty days of summer left.
Exactly, Deborah. We’re always rushing to the next thing. We need to just slow down and breathe!
Glad to hear someone else is not keen on being a snow bird.
It seems like people just assume that, when you retire, you should be travelling all the time. I like to travel, but I like being home too.
This blog post is just what I needed to read today, Michelle. I am sitting on our back porch, watching birds drink and bathe in their bird bath (which I re-fill with clean water each morning). I LOVE spring and summer; so I definitely resent all of the “summer is over” messages which are now appearing. I agree that it is “hard for us to simply enjoy the moment we’re in. We always need to be moving on to the next thing….” I also agree that “it’s a symptom of a society that conditions us to never be satisfied with where we are or what we have.” Hurrah that you are satisfied with where you live AND with what you have (after mindfully pruning your possessions to a functional minimum). Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Here’s to many more weeks of summer!
Thanks Will. I think people, in general, would be much happier if they learned to simply be rather than constantly striving for more. One of my favourite things about summer is sitting in the garden and reading a book. Life’s simple pleasures!
How interesting about jumping. I find it harder to do the older I get so perhaps that validates the need to do it more. You’re right, Michelle, we need to enjoy every day! Have a great week!
I’ve always avoided jumping because it winds me. I am making more of an effort now.
I am admittedly guilty of ending summers based on the school schedule too. But I also blame the return to school ads that pop up the second the clock turns August 1! 😂 Thankfully we have an extra week of summer this year.
Interesting to read about the subway cooling system. Hope it can happen in our parts of the world too!
I can understand that when you have school-age children, Ab. And I agree on the back-to-school ads. When I was out in BC visiting Laura at the beginning of July, we went to Staples and they were already setting up the back-to-school displays. Sheesh! And I wonder how long it will be before we see Christmas stuff in stores. The Halloween merchandise has been out for a couple of weeks already.
Halloween stuff is already out over here!
Well who knew that MN once had cougars! I did not. I just thought MN had an abundant amount of lakes and the Duluth Trading Company 🙂
We are finally getting some summer storms and rain here. When I arrived last summer at this time the typical afternoon storms were few and far between. I’m so glad they’ve returned. It’s astonishing to watch the clouds form over the Rockies, darken, hear the beginning patter of rain outside my window and then thunder, lightening and the downpours roll overhead, often for hours. Summer means something very different in CO than it ever did in WA!
Ha ha. You’re right, Deb. MN does have all those things and now they have cougars too.
Our weather has been erratic. We’ve had more than the usual amount of rainfall but it all come at once, which doesn’t do the crops much good.
I’m glad you’re experiencing more of a normal Colorado summer. Yes, those mountain storms are quite something.