On June 21, the longest day of the year, we officially entered summer. The summer solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually sometime between June 20 and 22. In temperate regions, we notice that the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day. From June 21 through December 21 the days will be a little shorter each day. Winter aside, we are just entering into a marvelous Central Coast Summer and few things could be more pleasing if you simply dip into the well and drink from our wonderful lifestyle.

Start with a few changes

Start your summer by making a few positive changes to enhance your life. If you do one or two things to reduce your workload or create a more powerful, positive environment you are well on your way to enjoying a fuller life. We live in one of the most wonderful places you can live in this great state. With our moderate Mediterranean, coastal climate you are on your way to enjoying the great outdoors. Below are a few, affordable things you can do to make positive changes to embrace life and live a bit easier. Don't fall victim to trying to do too much, just one or two easy changes will make a difference and "prime the pump".

• Buy or pick flowers and bring them into the home.
• Plant something. You don't have to do a complete garden, just a few plants will perk up your garden.
• Plant a small vegetable garden. No, it's not too late, I just planted some squash, cucumbers and a new herb garden today and will begin to enjoy the crop in mid August. I will can pickles mid September.
• Plant a tree.
• Make a donation to a charity.
• Take a country drive.
• Try a new restaurant.
• Try a new food, something you don't think you like. Keep an open mind and try it.
• Cut back on fast food and junk food and add nutritious snacks to your menu.
• Lighten up on meal preparation in favor of noshing on healthier foods like hummus and pita, olives, vegetables, nuts, peppers and salads.
• Bake cookies. Even if you are not good at it, bake some cookies. Find an easy recipe and indulge. Use butter, lots of chocolate chips and nuts and enjoy. (Need a recipe, just ask, I have thousands and will happy find or write one for you.)
• Invite people into your life.
• Have a glass of wine. Don't drink the wine, enjoy the wine. Swirl it in the glass, sip and hold in your mouth, swallow and draw air across your tongue. Enjoy every drop.
• Stop and buy your favorite candy and have a piece. (A piece won't hurt)
• Turn off the TV.
• Read a book.
• Sit and relax in the garden or on the patio.
• Take a walk.
• Buy a bird feeder and watch your new friends. This is also an excellent way to control insects.
• Go to the beach. If you aren't into laying out on the beach go to Avila and sit on the promenade and watch people.
• Learn to embrace the differences in people rather than how they might annoy you.
• Practice Kindness. The range of possibilities are endless! Kindness is the act or the state of charitable behavior to other people and it doesn't have to be merited or only to those you love. Show kindness to the waitress who forgot your water, the driver who cut you off or the paper boy who threw your paper in the bushes. You'll feel better.
• Already do these things, great! Do something different, the point is to make a small, positive, change in your life and live a little. Need more ideas, I have them and will be happy to share.