Listening to Summer's Song

The song of summer sings itself.

~William Carlos Williams

Now that summer is in full swing, I'm headed back outdoors as much as I can and I hope you are too. Even as a proud New Yorker, my soul craves the song of summer, in all its delights. I want sunlight, and birdsong, and the orchestra of insects. I want barbecues and cartwheels; pool splashes and lazy afternoons. Only a summer day can bring all that, and more.

Maybe you don't have a full day to harmonize with nature, but you can at least grab 10 minutes to sit outside and treat your senses to the delights of a summer tune.

1. Find a comfortable seat in the park, outside on your lawn, or next to an open window. Day or night, nature is singing and you can always hear its harmony. There's no 'best' time.

2. Focus on your breath to start, maybe even close your eyes as you settle in. Listen to the sound of your breath, notice its texture and pacing, too. Is it fast, slow? Once you're anchored to your breath, attune your sense of hearing to the environment around you.

3. Notice the most obvious sounds first - cars passing by, voices, dogs barking, etc.Then turn that awareness to the ambient sounds - the ones another layer down. The wind in the trees, the hum of insects, the birdsong, maybe the water nearby.

4. From there, see if you can begin to discern the different songs of the birds, the rustle of leaves and blades of grass. How deeply can you hear the orchestra of nature?

5. Turn on your other senses - what smells are there? Can you feel the sun on your skin, or the breeze in your hair, even the sweat on your upper lip.

Notice any pleasant sensations in your heart and mind as well. Maybe a sense of ease and peacefulness? A spreading warmth in your chest, a slight smile on your face ?

There you are, smack dab in Summer's Song. Take your time.