Summer is here (at least for those of us North of the equator) and today is one of the biggest and most important “relaxation” holidays of the year in the U.S. —the 4th of July (okay, it’s actually the 5th, but we are celebrating it today).

So just how relaxed are you feeling? Is it hard to “let go” and not think about work. Or do you feel stressed because you are trying not to think about work and the little voice in your head says you better or something bad will happen?

If so, welcome to the club. Far too many of us (me included) have a hard time relaxing. I suspect the primary reason for this is that age-old culprit, fear. Fear that if we let go of our iron grip everything will fall apart. Actually, quite the opposite is true. If we don’t learn to relax on a regular basis, everything will fall apart, starting with our health and relationships…

When you don’t have time to relax, that’s when relaxation will help you most. Go ahead, and allow yourself to relax.

Stop clinging to what you think you need. Start allowing the beauty of what is.

Ralph Marston

So as you are cooking those hotdogs and burgers enjoy the moment for what it is. You’ve worked hard, you deserve to enjoy life without constant fretting and worry. Remember, you can handle anything that comes your way. It’s just a lot easier when you are fully rested and regained the perspective that you work to live, not live to work…