How to Make This Summer Your Best Ever!
May 16th, 2008, by Shelley Riutta
“Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.” Kahil Gibran
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Are you ready for SUMMER? It is that time of year when I bring up with clients–what can you do to make this the best summer ever for you? So that is the focus of this issue of the newsletter.
One of my favorite things to do is get together with my sisters for a weekend in the summer. Typically we have gone to Noah’s Ark–a big water park here in southern Wisconsin. Last year we hung out at my sister’s house in Madison. We tend to regress to the state of mind of middle-schoolers—and we have a ton of FUN. We had a day where we took goofy pictures all day. Here is our favorite Charlie’s Angels pose. (My little sister Erin, who is kneeling looks like she means business!)
The next photo is with my brother-in-law Aaron–who is a SAINT for taking all the photos that day.
Earlier in the day we played frisbee and decided that we are equally challenged at throwing a frisbee. The frisbee would go everywhere but its designated target. We determined the common denominator and orgin of this lack of skill was my Dad. We decided to be proud!!
My sister, Nessa wanted to go for a ride on a Ferris Wheel—here she is with her husband Aaron. Aren’t they cute!
We went out to dinner and afterwards we picked up some musical instruments that were on this table and we started playing around like we were in a band. Note how my sister Erin looks like she is in pain:) I have no instrument, but I am showing my support by dancing to their beautiful music.
The grand finale was going to the video store and seeing how high we could do karate kicks in the air. (We were the only ones in the store and I think the guy behind the counter thought we were crazy)
We were obsessed with taking photos and finally Aaron (my brother-in-law) drew the line when we wanted to stop a guy who was walking his dog and take a photo with him. Thanks Aaron for being a prince of a brother-in-law that day!
I received the following emails from one of the readers of this newsletter.
“First, thank you for what you do. The ever so lit’l bits and pieces of info I get to read of your articles really hit home. Today was the Grand Daddy. Making me think of how I felt as a kid, the thing that makes us tick. Passion?
I did not get a great job that I waited months for. The simple response–God had something better. As I put a deadline on job offers and myself I thought “don’t give up before the miracle happens.”
Basically now I could not be any happier.
I have gone back to car sales with a certain fire of enthusiasm finally realizing this is my niche. The owner said I was on pace for a 20 car month.
I have gone back to car sales with a certain fire of enthusiasm finally realizing this is my niche. The owner said I was on pace for a 20 car month.
UN-believable-believable! So many blessings have hit all at once. I need to brag, actually give huge compliments to you. With so much love going on in the work place, I learned that it reciprocates when shared. Shelley, you’re the best.” Jim, Traverse City, Michigan
Congratulations Jim!
Wishing you many of your own blessings and the joy of your best summer yet!
Warmly,
Shelley
Here is the article for this issue of the newsletter.
| How to Make this Summer Your Best Ever! | |||
| “Celebrate Summer–Sun drenched days and starlit night…” Gooseberry Patch”Deep Summer is when laziness finds respectability” Sam Keen It’s the middle of May—why think about summer now? What I have noticed over the years in working with clients and in my own life that if we don’t plan our summer ahead of time–it tends to get planned for us by others or lost in the busyness of life. All of a sudden it gets to the end of the summer and you have run out of time to do the things you really wanted to do.So now is the time to get out your calendar and start planning your best summer yet!Tips to make this your best summer: 1. Get clear about what you want–what are your intentions for the summer. Do you need a summer with lots of relaxation–lying on a hammock reading a favorite book? Do you need a summer with adventure–traveling to places you have always wanted to visit? Do you need a summer filled with fun times with the people you love? Are you drawn to more solitude or connection with others? You might want a mix of some of the above. The more you set your intention and then plan right now–the more likely you are to fulfill your deepest dreams for your summer.
2. Take 100% responsibility for your happiness this summer. It is your job to create the summer you would like–it is in no one else’s hands. Do not make your good times dependent on someone else. If you want to travel and your partner does not want to–find someone else to go with–or go on your own. Let go of the false belief that you are selfish if you focus on your own happiness. You are actually being self-responsible when you do this. It is our job to create as much happiness for ourselves as possible. You uplift those around you with your joy and happiness.
I have clients who have transformed their whole family by their own happiness and joy. So let go of the guilt and know that it is your job to create your own fun.
3. Decide who you want to play with this summer. Who are the people in your life you have the most fun with? Plan to be with those people this summer. Don’t do things with others out of a feeling of obligation–follow your heart and be with the people you can really play with. If you don’t have people you can play with in your life—set an intention to meet people this summer with whom you can have fun.
4. Put in on your schedule NOW- Get your calendar out and plan these fun events now. Connect with your friends and/or family and make a plan. Again–if you can’t find someone to join you on your adventure–plan it on your own. 5. Don’t back down- Take a stand for your fun. Don’t let pressure from others make you back down from what you really want to do. Stay firm on your intentions for your summer and let go of others’ reactions–their reactions have more to do with them then you. You will be amazed at how great you will feel when you follow through with your plan.
6. Connect with the little kid inside of you–If you have a hard time thinking of things that you would love to do tune into the little kid inside of you. This part of you has a ton of ideas for fun things to do. Things like: riding your bike, going out for ice cream, riding on a Ferris Wheel, going water-skiing, sleeping outside on a warm summer night.
7. Stay balanced as you plan- Make sure not to overplan your summer. Too much of a good thing can make summer activities more stressful than enjoyable.
I would love to hear what your favorite things are to do this summer–post your favorite down below at the end of the newsletter.
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Tip from 
| Free Tele-Class “Boost Your Confidence: 5 Simple Ways to Shine.” |
| Mark your calendar! I will be doing a fr*ee teleclass on Tuesday May 20th, 2008 from 7-8 p.m. Central Time zone. The topic will be “Boost Your Confidence: 5 Simple Ways to Shine”. Eliminate self-doubt and self-sabotage! Come learn simple tips to help boost your confidence. Also email me a question you have about this topic. The number for the call is 712-432-3900 the access code to get on the call is 5594042# For more details |
My family and I went to the Green Bay Botanical Gardens this past Saturday (May 17). All of the tulips are in full bloom; if you go soon you can catch those as well as some of the magnolias.
They have done a nice job there at the Botanical Gardens. It’s quite peaceful there, and there’s a nice area for the kids. It’s also a good place to volunteer, if you’re into gardening.
Comment by Ed — May 19, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Hi Ed-
Thanks for the tip. Tulips in full bloom are awesome–plus magnolias!! I will make sure to go check it out!
Thanks again for sharing.
Warmly,
Shelley
Comment by Shelley Riutta — May 19, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
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Pingback by working retriever central — May 23, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
I have decided that this summer I am going to do as much outdoor, ’summer’ activity as possible! I heard so many people complaining about our long winter and instead of siding with them, I took advantage of the great snow and all the fun one can have in it (we do live in Wisconsin, after all. It’s not like we haven’t seen snow before). I cross country skiied and snowshoed as much as possible - it was wonderful! So, for the summer: bike rides, running, swimming, boating, jet skiing, bonfires, watching the sunset, yoga outside, driving with the top down, mowing the lawn - whatever it takes to be outside and soaking in that vitamin D and fresh air! What an exciting summer goal to have! So far, I think I’m on track! I challenge all to ‘go big’ this summer!!
Comment by Katherine — June 10, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
Hi Katherine-
Thanks for sharing what you will be doing this summer—I love the doing Yoga outside and driving with the top down:)
Here is to an awesome summer!!
Warmly-
Shelley
Comment by Shelley — June 10, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
[…] past weekend I was down in Madison doing “nothing” with my two sisters. In a previous newsletter I talked about our annual weekend together in the […]
Pingback by Radiant Life Counseling » The Importance of Doing Nothing — July 10, 2008 @ 5:48 pm