The Sound of the Buzzer: A Summer Reflection
BUZZ, BUZZ! The “buzzer” sounds ending the first half. What does this mean?
It is not signifying a basketball game has completed twenty four minutes. Nor is it the
sounds of bees as they swarm around us. Well, it tells us that summer is half
over, now that July has changed into August. None of us can recapture the
initial part of this season. Yes, what was done was done. Anyway, would
anyone really want to? A win-win situation from my seat. Boy, that seat is
hot!
Summer is hot, indeed.
The Heat of Summer
Wow, it is hard to believe that August has arrived and that summer is fifty
percent over. Has July been a good or a bad month? Has the seventh ended
or has the eighth begun? A coin can determine these “Family Matters” much
more quickly, but why? “What’s Happening” here? Conflict has its place, but
not here. Most of the time, I think positively and move ahead. My life is not
always about looking through my rose coloured glasses, but I choose to
gaze at the “Good Times” of my daily routine.
Reflecting on the Past: A Negative Mindset
For many years in my past, I dwelt on the negative aspects. Statements
I said were, “I can’t do this” or “I don’t want to try that”! What a freaking
sourpuss and condescending attitude. Back then I was in muck and mire
of quicksand with little or no rope to pull me out of my predicament. Yes,
my life was in “The Outer Limits” of reality. Poor me, I felt alone, helpless
and very, very afraid.
The Turning Point: A Realization of Change
Then, one day it hit me like a pizza pie in the face. Help was out there,
but it was, “One Step Beyond ” my reach and I could not see well through
the ever thickening fog. Like a familiar line often stated in, “The Three
Stooges”, slowly I turned, step by step and suddenly in the distance was,
“That signpost up ahead…The Twilight Zone. At that moment, I got some
strength and like “Tarzan or Superman”, I was able to find a way to get
out of the quicksand.
Waking Up from the Summer Dream
Within a few moments, the fog began to clear and I awoke to my alarm
ringing beside my bed. Another August day was dawning, while the TV
was left on again and an episode of “Today or Good Morning America”
was now background noise. So, this was just another August Summer
dream. Bummer, bummer. Okay now, get out of bed and enjoy the day.
Even with heat and humidity we can try to relax outside. All of us from
the, “3rd Rock From the Sun” have various abilities to appreciate the
beautiful weather and have fun.
Coping During Challenging Times
During these times of COVID19 and racial issues, I realized that it was
exceedingly more difficult. For me, I attempt to plan different types of
activities, “One Day At a Time”, sometimes only, “60 Minutes.” By doing
partializing techniques, it helped me to reduce my stress and anxiety. My
suggestion during the second half of summer is to spend part of each day
outside in the sun. Attempt this carefully, one does not want to look like
a lobster or a strawberry. OUCH!!! This can be quite painful. DOUBLE
OUCH!!! Remember, “This is Your Life” so try to have fun while outside
in August and do it at one’s own pace and speed, not someone else’s.
Staying Safe and Healthy in the Summer Heat
When we do this gradually, we can and do start feeling better with less
redness or sunburn. Like on many installments of “Hill Street Blues”,
Sgt. Esterhaus said, “Let’s be careful out there.” Very, very important
now to be safe during the summer, especially this year. Do not need
an “Emergency” and winding up in the “ER”. Therefore, please wear
our masks outdoors, stay at least six feet apart (not to be confused
with the show “Six Feet Under”), do not participate in gatherings or
in large crowds. Plus stop torturing and killing one another by
maintaining “Law and Order.”
A Personal Reflection: Cherishing Loved Ones
From me to everyone reading this article, enjoy August, the rest of this
summer and all of the “Days of Our Lives”. It’s a good time for me to
reflect about my significant other, Maureen. Sweetie, I love you, I
miss you and I still wish you were here. See you in the Newsblogs.
Author Info:
Howard Diamond
Certified Peer Specialist from Long Island.
