I’m not really certain who coined the phrase “Lazy days of Summer” or what they could have possibly been thinking! While I love the thought of a lazy summer, everyone I know seems to amp it up a bit when the sun is shining and days are longer.

Now is the time for vacation planning, summer camp, longer days for outdoor activity, little league games, drive-in movies, picnics in the park and family reunions. I love all these activities and begin looking forward to them as soon as the calendar turns to May 1. How about you?

I am wondering – are they ‘lazy days’ because we are actually treating ourselves to things we enjoy? Is it perhaps because we delight in this time and the activities? Even though there is a great deal of preparation going on and planning to be done and schedules to navigate, is it refreshing and rewarding and do we feel a bit ‘lazy’ because we are invigorated? Maybe we feel lazy because we are spoiling and enjoying ourselves!

Now, don’t get me wrong! All these wonderful things don’t just magically appear (unless you are a kid and simply show-up!). I know the work involved in making this lazy summer happen – yet, since we so look forward to this change of pace, isn’t it something we relish?

What is it about this time of year that makes you smile and take long, slow breaths? For me, it is the sunny sky and the clouds that take on a different form in the summer time. And the kids, their laughter and screams of carefree fun. I love the smell of my neighbors grilling, especially when they are smoking some delectable treat! Don’t the leaves make a curious sound in the summer breeze? And what about those summer thunder and lightning shows and the smell of rain on a steaming blacktop road. The birds are in beautiful chorus with the cicadas, katydids and crickets. And what about those lighting bugs! Do you recall catching them in a bug box or mason jar with holes punched in the lid so they can breathe?

Do you think it is possible to take this lazy day of summer feeling with us into fall or winter?

Here is what I mean – do you think it is possible to treat ourselves all year long? What would it be like to have that ‘spoil me’ experience for 12 months rather than just of 3 or 4?

What if we delight in all our activities? What a wonderful world that would be!

You really never know what is going to happen next – unless, of course, you are Nicholas Cage in the movie ‘Next’! Well, I am not Mr. Cage and my life, while entertaining and adventurous, is not a movie.

I want to share with you a chance meeting I had a few days ago.

My Client Relations Director and I purchased last minute tickets to see the Broadway show STOMP at our local community center. Seems there were only a handful of seats left, but we were able to get two together.

Before the show started, we were perusing the program and the lovely lady sitting next to me started a conversation. We chatted about the upcoming performance, the great seats at the last minute (apparently she ordered hers about the same time we did). Just small talk with a stranger who was seated next to me.

I finally introduced myself and she did as well. I really don’t like talking with people very long if I don’t even know their name! The name then led to more conversation about me being fairly new to Colorado Springs and this is only my second time at the community center. More conversation and then, what brought you to Colorado?

Now we are into my coaching and her work. Hmmm…she asks: Would you be interested in attending a networking meeting for a group I belong to? Of course! I love to meet new people and network.

As it happens, the meeting is in just a couple days and my calendar is open at that time! Who knew! When I introduced myself at the meeting – and thanked her for inviting me – the topic came up of how we met. You know, I felt like I had known her for years rather than days!

Call it fate – call it kismet – call it destiny…I think I’ll call it ‘part of the GREAT plan’!

I don’t know why we were seated next to each other and connected. I don’t know what will come of our chat and the networking event. I don’t know the next phase of ‘the Great Plan’. I’m one to go-with-the-flow and see where it leads.

Here is the question: Are you open to and aware of the ‘accidental’ encounters before you? Are you willing to go-with-the-flow and see where it leads? Try it – and let me know!

By the way – – STOMP was fabulous and it was a wonderful evening out!