Half way point

So many things in life are a matter of perspective and summer is no exception.

It seems like it was only a blink of an eye ago that we were celebrating Memorial Day and the Fourth of July and now it is August already.

This is the half way point of summer, before we know it, it will be Labor Day.

But here is where perspective comes into play.

It is all a matter of looking at the glass as half empty or half full, negatively or optimistically.

While it can be easy to think of this in some negative light, summer being half way over already and it seems like it has barely started, there is a lot of optimism when we look at it with the right eyes. Summer is only half way over; there is still plenty of time to enjoy it.

After a slow start to spring that saw cooler temperatures as well as several days with hazy, smoke filled skies from the wildfires in Canada, summer seemed tentative. Our area also saw some days of intense heat with warmer than average days and now as August begins, we are seeing cooler temperatures.

All of these swings can make it hard to plan your days, but no matter the weather our area has a bounty of events, activities and attraction to take advantage of.

The important thing is to make the time to enjoy it.

There are the unavoidable realities of life, our duties and responsibilities from work, to chores around the house and innumerable others.

But it is also important to remember that we all need to stop and take some time for the responsibilities we have to ourselves, our families and the other things we probably don’t give enough time and attention when we are caught in the day to day obligations of our lives.

But it seems summer is a time when many make a point to pay at least a little more attention to these important details.

There is that cliché of the long lazy days of summer, maybe it is the memory of summer vacations when we were younger, maybe it is the number of activities that correlate with the season, but whatever the reason, it seems this is a time when everyone wants to shake off some of their daily cares and spend a little time enjoying something special.

Take some time, use these weeks of summer that are still ahead and find what will make you happy.

We are fortunate to be surrounded by the bounty of nature in Central New York.

With numerous lakes, trails, nature sites and camping, there are innumerable opportunities to get outside.

For some it is as simple as a backyard fire and toasting marshmallows and making s’mores with the kids.

For others it may be taking in a ball game and having a hotdog. For others it will be a concert or the bigger events still to come like the New York State Fair.

But whatever it is, take the time to enjoy the long days of summer as much as you can and find the time to kick back and relax even for a little while.