Here we are entering the month of August in the Valley of the Sun, when the monsoons are forming and the heat is cresting.  

Phoenix may be a kindly oasis of culture and community, but it still sits smack dab in the middle of Arizona’s large central desert. Those of us who are long-term residents know the pattern and are used to making friends with the “dog days” of summer. 

The season’s predictability is not its only virtue. It has much more to offer.  Lean back and relax. Dare to sit quietly outside, listen to the cicadas and put aside all the mental gymnastics that normally control the mind.  

One can reap great rewards from such a simple effort. With practice, one can meditate anywhere and at any time; but I have always found the stillness of a summer day or evening to be the best occasion for hearing my inner voice and the special insights that come only from a point of silence where body and spirit intersect. 

Back to the Future 

Perhaps what I like most about the “dog days” of summer is how they transcend time and geography.  I remember as a youngster back in Wisconsin, experiencing the wisdom of porch life on a summer’s day that was too hot for playing baseball – and certainly too hot for chores. I recall making and savoring home-made ice cream and feeling that life was simple, clear and good. Staying still and listening deeply can almost always get me back in touch with the best memories of youth when every experience seemed stronger and more reassuring.   

The “dog days” of summer have over the years taught us to adjust to our circumstances. They continue to serve as a metaphor for the human’s spirit’s capacity to deal with restrictions in ways that are both positive and creative. The old expression, “If all you have are lemons, then learn to make lemonade” is a perfect example.  

Role Models in Our Lives 

We all find ourselves in situations where we feel limited. Such occasions often turn out to be moments of great opportunity when we take stock of what we have and what we haven’t and then discover new strengths and ideas that open doorways we never saw before. 

Earlier this year a friend of mine lost his job due to the housing slowdown. Initially stunned, he used this loss as a reason to search for other interests and personal strengths. Now he is working as a business coach doing something he enjoys much more and helping people improve their lives. This is just one of many examples of how people can learn to make really good lemonade. 

The seniors and adults with disabilities we serve at the Foundation for Senior Living are especially gifted in the practice of accommodation and resilience. Whether they are dealing with physical or cognitive impairments, chronic illness, or other age-related restrictions, every day I see clients enjoying group activities at an adult day healthcare center, swapping stories and good humor with our visiting nurses or planting gardens and cooking meals at our residential homes. They display an impressive ability to dive down into their deepest selves and discover new vitality. On a daily basis they inspire our staff with their determination to live life to its fullest no matter what restrictions may confront them. 

The lesson from our childhood summers and from the lives of our friends and neighbors and those with the greatest limitations is simple. Acclimating to life’s circumstances and finding new sources of joy is an essential life skill that we all can exercise. Acceptance combined with resilience creates abundance and can produce the sweetest lemonade imaginable.

Guy Mikkelsen is President and CEO of The Foundation for Senior Living. For more information, visit www.fsl.org.