It is hot enough. It is sunny enough. The storms have begun. But, I always think of summer as a happy time, and I don’t think people are very happy at the moment. I see lots of fear. Fear of sickness. Fear of others. Fear of government. Fear of the economy. Fear of the unknown. Lets face it, this year has been a real doozy of a year. So many things have happened to hurt people. What could be coming now?

I don’t know. But, I do know that if we work together, we can make it through. Most people are so busy reacting to things they don’t understand, know, or control, that they are missing all the good things in life. Mindfulness would work wonders on the people of this world. I know it’s hard, but try to accept what is. Live intentionally. Prepare for your best. Don’t react wildly and out of control. You can’t change things or other people, but you can change how you react.

Fear is a feeling. It is a warning that there might be something to deal with. But that is all it is, unless you give it the power to control you. Fear without your strength, dwindles to nothing and passes you by, wiser, but not weaker. Imagine standing out side your home. A rain cloud is coming. You have to get things done outside. You have a choice. Curse the rain and put things off; hate the rain and be miserable while doing what needs doing; or sing in the rain and enjoy the feeling of the cool water running down your face while you do your thing. Not matter what you choose, the rain will stop. The difference is whether or not you have accomplished anything and how you’ve made yourself feel. The rain is not there to harm you. In fact, without rain we wouldn’t have food to eat, water to drink or wash with, or swim and play in. We need the rain. It us up to each of us to decide how to deal with the rain. Fear is like that, too. Fear has a purpose, to alert you to the conditions and lack of knowledge. It is up to you how you react to the fear. Do you let it ruin your day? Make you do things you later regret? Do you let it make you take your pain/uncertainty out on others? Or do you accept the notification that something needs your attention and you need to react to it, and let the negative go? It is hard, but once you learn to let the fear pass by, it is amazingly empowering. You are in control. No one else. Not the fear, the weather, the economy, other people. You are. No, this doesn’t make you all powerful, but it does make you stronger and better.

So, check out a guided meditation. Read a book on mindfulness. Take a yoga class. Write in a journal. Think before you act. Aim for goodness and love, not darkness and hate. And remember, your feelings are not who you are or what you are. They are simply little wisps of thought passing through your mind. They only have power if you give it to them.