Column: When less is so much more

Every year, it surprises me.

We wait all winter for summer to arrive, dreaming of longer days, warm evenings, and all the things we’ll finally have time to do. Then suddenly, we find ourselves looking at the calendar wondering how August arrived so quickly.

A few mornings ago, I took my dog for an early walk on the beach. The only sounds were the waves rolling in, a few shorebirds searching for breakfast, and the gentle breeze coming off the water. There was nowhere I had to be, nothing I needed to accomplish. I simply walked.

I remember thinking, this is what summer is supposed to feel like. Not rushed. Not scheduled. Not measured by how many parties we attended or how much we managed to squeeze into one weekend. Just … peaceful.

It made me realize that maybe the reason summer seems to fly by isn’t because it’s too short. Maybe it’s because we’re trying so hard to make every moment count that we forget to simply enjoy the moment we’re in.

For a long time, I thought abundance meant more. More plans. More invitations. More accomplishments. More memories. But somewhere along the way, I realized I had it backwards. Today, abundance feels much quieter. It’s having enough space to notice my life.

It’s coffee outside before the day begins. It’s picking fresh vegetables from the garden for dinner. It’s stopping to admire the hydrangeas that seem to explode with color this time of year. It’s lingering after dinner to watch the sky change as the sun sets over the water. It’s seeing neighbors on a walk, waving from a bicycle, or hearing children laughing as they head to the beach. These are the moments that make a summer memorable.

I’ve also come to appreciate how important it is to simply move our bodies. Not because we have to. Because we get to. Whether it’s swimming, gardening, riding a bike, dancing in the kitchen, taking an exercise class, or simply walking, movement reminds us that we’re alive. It strengthens our bodies, clears our minds, and helps us slow down enough to notice the beauty that’s all around us.

Some of my favorite moments happen during my morning walks on the beach with my dog. In the evening, I love heading back outside when everything begins to quiet down and the fireflies start appearing. Those walks give me something that’s become increasingly precious: peace, clarity, and perspective. Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us to breathe.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about abundance in another way as well. Sometimes we become so attached to what we think life should look like that we miss the wonderful things already making their way toward us. The opportunities. The friendships. The unexpected conversations. The new beginnings.

Sometimes abundance arrives wearing a different outfit than we expected. And often, it’s even better than the picture we had in our minds. The more open we are to possibility, the more we begin to notice how much goodness is already surrounding us.

As we enjoy what’s left of this beautiful season, my hope is that you’ll give yourself permission to simplify. Take the walk. Watch the sunset. Ride your bike. Go for a swim. Sit on the porch a little longer. Listen to the waves. Watch for the fireflies. Call a friend. Take a deep breath.

The simple moments aren’t interruptions to summer. They are summer.

And perhaps that’s how we slow it down. Not by trying to fit more into our days, but by being fully present for the ones we’re already living.

Wishing you a beautiful rest of the summer, filled with good health, joyful surprises, and the quiet abundance that comes from noticing the beauty all around you.