Did you miss me?

Summer is back! Did you miss the warmer days, with colleagues describing vacations soon to be enjoyed? If you, like many busy people, are surprised that it's vacation season again, join me! I don't know where spring went and I'm still thinking about April showers which seemed mostly nonexistent in California.
True, summer doesn't officially start until June 21, the summer solstice. Nonetheless, Memorial Day picnics signaled the start of summer for many. Kids are graduated, and most are looking forward to the transition from school bells to lazy, option-filled days.
If you live higher on the globe, your days are significantly longer. Better start thinking about your 10 p.m. fireworks shows for Independence Day.  You won't want to miss them.
As I marvel at the march of time, I embrace the joy of knowing that if I missed something this summer, soon it will be summer 2013.  No guarantees that we will all be around next summer, but perhaps the freer days of warmer months will descend upon us with delight. Let this summer offer some modicum of peace to each of us.

Longing to achieve something great

The dinner dishes are done, the evening walk complete. The list of chores looms large against the tantalizing options for mindless entertainment. How will I choose to spend the remainder of the evening? TV reality shows or laundry?  Checking Facebook or writing someone who is facing a major life challenge?
I talk to so many busy professionals during the day who are working as hard as they can, but still falling behind in their emails, appointments, and voice mails.  It's the second day of May and we are already booked solid through mid-June.  We  look for ways to maximize our effectiveness and achieve something great. But some days, I would be happy just to achieve something, however small.
I spoke to someone on the phone today who just needed to talk. I pushed back from the computer, and 15 minutes later, we both felt better.  I think I achieved something great.