Community Magazine June 2019

80 Community Magazine Choose some items that are within your budget and are reasonable, considering your calendar and work and family responsibilities. Popular Bucket List items Here are some popular bucket list items to get you thinking. Have you ever wanted to: jump in a car and take a road trip, go skydiving, do karaoke, learn a new language or instrument, take professional cooking classes, run a marathon, or write a short story or your memoir, get over a fear, connect with someone from your childhood? How about getting a makeover, going camping, walking across a bridge, or playing tourist in the city? Try Something New Block off time on your calendar to do something you have never done before – get out of your comfort zone. Stretching oneself can be empowering, help you feel stronger, and boost your confidence and self-esteem. Enjoy the beautiful parks in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey. Pack a lunch and hop on the iconic and free Staten Island Ferry! How about doing something you loved as a child? Check out Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo! It was built in Ohio in 1922 and was recently transported and renovated in NYC. Or indulge your inner child at Coney Island or Asbury Park. Do you want to create a new habit or routine? The average number of days it takes for a new behavior to become automatic is just over two months or around 66 days. Why not start in the summer when you may be feeling more carefree or less stressed? As I wrote this article, I decided to start a new habit - getting to work 30 minutes earlier. I will let you know how that goes! It may be easier for you to kick off a new healthy eating routine in the summer. Do you have more time for the required preparation, such as cutting up veggies and fruit? I like to make or buy fruit or veggie smoothies for breakfast or snacks in the summer. I find that they are filling and refreshing as well as healthy! Try Flexibility If you are fortunate to work for a company that allows flexible summer hours, you can certainly use the extra time to make your summer more meaningful! Do you own your own business or manage a company? Please keep in mind that studies have found that employee productivity increases and morale is better when employers offer shorter work weeks or flextime. Employees appreciate the opportunity to have extra time for relaxation and building relationships with friends and family. Tackle a Task, Physical or Spiritual Here’s another summer strategy. How about planning to do house projects and other tasks that are easier in the summer versus the winter? For example, painting that fence or rail, or clearing out the garage or basement, or visiting a relative that lives far away. This approach can pave the way for an easier school year or winter . Summer is also an opportune time to nourish your soul and spirit! Are you willing to try something new to grow spiritually? Can you commit to one new mitzvah for the summer or choose one to do really well? Maybe you’d like to sign up for a new shiur at your shul or online, or say a few chapters of Tehillim a day or join a havruta (small group learning)? Allow Yourself Time to Relax Please remember that a significant aspect of summer is relaxation! No need to plan an activity for every freemoment. Take some time to unplug, practice self-care (how about a massage?), and to recharge and refresh. Give yourself permission to just chill out and relax. Summer is also an ideal time for your children to read just for fun and not for a school assignment. We all can pick up some of our favorite hobbies and check out new interests. I hope I have successfully stirred your creative juices! Wishing you a healthy summer and lots of opportunities to create new and joyful memories, allowing you to share stories about them with family, friends, and colleagues throughout the year! Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.   Ellen works part-time as an entitlement specialist at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com) .