Summertime is great. This year I am enjoying the 38ºC more than usual, spending most of my sketching time drawing birds.
Last year I was out of my hometown and when summer arrived in Massachusetts, life begun. You see, I arrived in fall and it was great to see the orange and red everywhere. I felt like in the movies and it was wonderful.
After a few weeks, everything died. Of course, being in a place where scenery changed so much was a novel experience and I loved it. Then the snow and winter was lovely but after weeks and months of being cold (spring was freezing too!) you kind of get used to it. I wasn’t missing much of my home, or that’s what I thought.
Then comes June and July. Massachusetts became a completely different place. People were happy (and outside) everywhere. Festivals, park events, families running and playing on the yards, music, laughter. Warm days not only made them happier, I was also so full of energy, I felt purpose, motivation to do exercise, days were longer, etc.
Embracing Today
Summer is a luxury, something to look for to. At least for people with less fortunate coordinates. Now I get why people would say I lived in paradise when they found out I live in Cancun. LOL people would ask me where we came from and I’d say “Cancun, Mexico”. They would be like “Why? Why did you come here!?” I guess snow is pretty and all that, but it can be very boring and cold after years of being isolated home? I don’t know hah I love being isolated home, but weather for sure plays a role in our happiness.
I embrace my luxury. In Cancun, every day is summer. Even in winter, temperatures don’t go below 15ºC ever. And this is probably as low as it will ever go. I don’t need to put boots and a full set of clothes to walk my dogs at 7am. I can go in my pajamas and flip flops, no prep or anything. People are always outside, enjoying weather. I sigh contently (and sweaty).
Nature is a Gift
I know this sounds extremely cliche and cheesy, but it is! While I miss my cold hikes in Mass and the ever changing scenery, I can see so many colorful birds here. There are many yellow birds, but we have so many different ones in all shades and shapes. I need to pay more attention and take more photos. On one hand I love that I often enjoy the moment and don’t waste it in my phone or camera, but on the other hand, I could take more photos and contemplate the world around me with artsy eyes, as it is super fun!
Lately I am focusing on drawing a lot of birds as I am working on my first picture book. Who had the brilliant idea of writing a story about birds without knowing how to draw birds? Of course, LOL.
Final Thoughts
Enjoy what’s available to you. Sometimes we feel the grass is greener on the other side, but you might be standing on treasure, wasting time dreaming of being somewhere else. Breathe in nature and your surroundings–breathe out art.
I invite you to draw birds this summer. Or if drawing is not your cup of tea, try taking photos, writing a short story, imitate their song. Anything goes!
