Words by Allyson

It's officially summer, ushered in last night with a real thunderstorm and it made me happy.

This is an important summer. For the first time since I was four years old, this summer will be the first that doesn't end with a school year (at least, not as a student). I'll finally be one of those people who's planner doesn't run from August to July. I'm trying to figure my life out, which involves lots of tears, phone calls, prayers, emails, meditation, and general exhaustion. I keep thinking that for how much work this is, someday it'll make a great story to tell my kids.

On top of that, I've definitely got summer-fever. Is that actually a thing? I think so. I don't really miss Florida that often, but I certainly do in the summertime. I miss beaches and barbecues and flip flops and Tropical Smoothie and afternoon storms and Wakulla Springs. I'm heading back home at the end of the summer, and honestly that trip can't come soon enough.

This summer's gonna be a long one. Hopefully a good one. Definitely a Brave one. And I'm gonna have to work my tail off.

Here's to summer.

I am the queen of killing time, but I'm thinking it's time to be willing to put forth more effort. I feel like there are some realms where I'm already good at this, school being the most obvious. But I find too often that I'm somehow willing to be lax with little things, and I don't like it.

I want to see something that needs doing, and take care of it immediately. A dish that needs cleaning. Mail that needs to be sent. A library book to be returned.

I want to cook real meals, not just throw them together every night.

I want to put more effort into my relationships. Make phone calls, send letters, and invite people for dinner. I'm tired of feeling lucky every time I have a real friend.

I want to spend a little more time on my knees at night in prayer, and more time in scriptures each day. My relationship with God takes work, too.

I want to learn to keep my room clean. And my bathroom organized. And my purse. And my wallet.

In some ways, it already feels like Brave. Like I'm honing a skill that will have a dramatic difference on the way I live my life.

I'm so excited to Work.

image via