![Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air."](https://razzworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emerson_quote.jpg?w=1024)
![Portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://razzworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emerson_portrait-.jpg?w=440)
Ralph Waldo Emerson has alot of really great quotes attributed to him. At this time of year (in the northern hemisphere) this quote really speaks to me. It brings to mind my childhood where this was what summer meant to me.
As soon as school was out, which is today in our area, we rarely set foot inside during the day. We played in the yard – myself, my two younger sisters and sometimes our older brother. A beautiful private beach was just a few minutes walk down a dusty dirt road. Sometimes we’d walk but most of the time we ran, in bare feet! Who needed shoes in the summer?
![Word Image
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet.
Born: May 25, 1803
Died: April 27, 1882
Concord, Mass, USA](https://razzworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emerson-information.jpg?w=600)
Our bicycles were always in use too. Either riding round and round our circular driveway, up and down the beach road or, sometimes, we’d ride about a mile to our local general store for candy, ice cream or popsicles.
Going to the store meant going through the provincial park where we were allowed to stay and play in the playground, unsupervised. There was so much fun to be had within our small community and we were safe.
There were always relatives around as my father’s family was at least half the population. That meant cousins to play with as well as adults who would reprimand us or send us home if necessary.
We lived in the sunshine! We swam in the sea! We drank the wild air!
![two girls playing on a small merry-go-round in a playground.](https://razzworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/children-playing-334531_1280.jpg)
So what changed? Obviously, we grew up and moved on with our adult lives. I never left my province as an adult but I did move to more populated areas. No excuse though as the ocean is always nearby on an island.
As an adult, I think I felt I shouldn’t be playing anymore. There were important things to do, a job, children to raise, a house to clean etc. Even so, we need to learn to take time off now and then. Go on vacation or, if that’s out of your price range, have a staycation. Play tourist in your own area. Go see the sites, swim in the ocean, lake or river nearest you. Have fun! That is missing in many adult lives. But it’s important.
If you’ve been feeling stuck in a rut, feeling down or even depressed I’ll bet you haven’t had much fun lately. Give it a try! Go on a hike, go zip-lining or tree walking. Go to an amusement park, a dinner theatre or a comedy show. There is always something going on in the summer and many activities are free or very reasonably priced.
What are you doing for fun these days? When was the last time you went on vacation? Let’s chat about it in the comments.
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