The summer heat has arrived, and it has come with full force. In southern France and Spain, temps are reaching well over 100° F and the heat is so bad in some places that the asphalt is “melting”! I have no air conditioning in my house, so the thought of this is just horrible. It is hot, and when this heat continues for days and days, without any reprieve, people tend to get on edge. It happens to the best of us. We try not to complain. We wanted this, remember! A few months ago, we were yearning for warmth on our bodies that didn’t consist of three to four layers of clothes, thick socks and boots. We wanted SUN! We wanted to feel its heat not only warm our skin, but all the way to the bones. We wanted our flip flops, tank tops, and cool drinks by the water. Spring took so long to warm us up, too, as she teased us relentlessly. Then, finally, summer came, although a bit hotter than we imagined or hoped, in some places. Nevertheless, it is here, and we must make it count. It won’t last forever. There is a timeline. There are stages. The sun is already preparing to make its slow descent, and the cooler winds will come. But not just yet…
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s easy to get a little short-tempered in the heat. It is true, tempers can rise right along with the thermometer. So, if you are feeling the heat pushing you to extremes, let me say one word that will bring a cool drink of water to your mind…mint. Peppermint Patties, anyone?
Mint, to which there are several types, grows all over the world. It is hardy and loves to spread. I have seven different types in my garden, and each gives its own flavor and appearance, but they all want to go out as far as they can. It will spread quickly if you aren’t careful. But I love having mint in the garden. I love their varied tastes and aromas, and they are reliable. Generally, they are among the first sprouts of green that I see in the Spring.
But what can this plant teach us? We know how it refreshes and cools, aids in digestion and makes our breath smell good. But what can it tell us about frustration and slow fuses?
When we lack focus and find ourselves lacking proper perspective during the changes in life, we tend to become easily frustrated, even to the point of anger. Tempers flare when we get challenged to change, but it is inevitable. Sometimes we roll through them with ease and awareness and other times we are abruptly pushed
into them by something outside of ourselves. Whatever stage of life we find ourselves in it is important to have clarity and focus so we don’t fall into confusion. Confusion leads to frustration and that leads us to a fragile frame of mind. We can’t take criticism, and we feel victimized by the slightest critique of our methods. Just like tempers flaring in a traffic jam on a hot afternoon, our sensibility can easily go out the window. When the heat begins to rise, physically or metaphorically, it all goes to the head until we blow…. anger has taken over. Our decisions become compromised with irrational thinking with our inability to contain the fire. What we need to do is take the opportunity to cool the fire when we see the first symptoms of it rising. When we cannot seem to focus or concentrate. Our minds feel dull and confused. This frustrates not only us but the ones who have to communicate with us. This could lead to friction in relationships.
So, if this resonates with you and the heavy air weighs on your shoulders…. Here is a simple visualization to try. Close your eyes and envision a crisp blue Autumn sky and underneath it flows a clear crystal stream. Feel a light, cool breeze and take a deep breath. Feel the wind refreshing your mind, and the sound of the waters renewing the heart. Now, with clarity of mind and a renewed sense of direction, you sense the fire that once tried to consume you has subsided. The weight is not as heavy, and focus is returning.
I encourage you to incorporate mint wherever you can this summer. It is a plant that uplifts and helps us digest life, while cooling us down.
It stimulates the mind, sharpening our focus when we need understanding. And the best part is, it is delicious and makes us happy!
Have a great July everyone! Stay cool!