Summer is the season for fun! The long days invite barbecues, pool parties, and the surf and sand of the beach. Take full advantage of the wide array of summer activities. They can stimulate your mind, body and emotions to new levels of fulfillment.

The summer also brings with it large demands on your time. Friends and family members want to do things together, and the options for your time can become overwhelming.

Enjoy the time with them, but protect your peace by saying no to activities that don’t fit with what matters the most to you. You can say no in a way that guards your time without hurting the feelings of others. Practice gently saying no.

To make the most of the summer season, you may want to:

• Find time for prayer or meditation
• Use the summer nights for peaceful contemplation
• Spend time with others who share your values and beliefs
• Take time to relax by yourself

Summer encourages physical activity outdoors. It’s easy to forget about slowing down to give your body a chance to recharge its batteries. Let the laid-back feeling of summer remind you to relax and figure out the things in your life that are the most important. If you do, you’ll enjoy your summer fully and benefit from its warmth long after the summer months have passed.