When we consider the future, we tend to gravitate in one of two directions. One possibility when we look ahead is dread. We fear bad things to come with growing anxiety. “How will I pay my rent?” “What if my partner decides to leave me!” How will I ever achieve my goals?” These kinds of thoughts can be debilitating and disturbing. They keep us from living in the moment. Dread and fear of what lies ahead can keep us from another possible reaction, one of keen anticipation for a pleasurable experience awaiting us just down the road.
As we head into the summer months, many students gravitate towards the giddy forethought of time off and carefree days. Once we are out of our school days, we may have a similar feeling of anticipation for an upcoming vacation or holiday. But summer vacation is a little different. A little more special. Free time, fun summer jobs, the beach, the lake, or just summer in the city, it all is eagerly awaited when we head into the warmth of summer.
A classic rock song by the legendary Alice Cooper was released way back in 1972 that captures the spirit of getting out of school for the summer (at least in a rebellious kind of way.)
“No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks,
Out for summer, out ‘til fall,
We might not come back at all”
I think the “dirty looks” are mainly in the student’s mind only and I certainly do hope you come back in the fall, but the overall message is clear, we are escaping the rigor of an institution for a long break where we can be carefree and take it easy for a while. Fewer obligations and a slower pace and maybe a change of scenery await us and it brings a certain giddiness for most of us.
As I reflect on the summers of my school days, I largely recall that time with great fondness. Of course, sentimentality colors those memories and I am sure they were not all great times. However, to be honest, the best times growing up for me were often those carefree summer times where anything could happen.