The heat has definitely slowed us all down a bit here. More than 3,000 brave women and men had to fight a summer fire just up in the mountains. We had ash falling like snow, and then the humidity kicked in and brought some merciful rain with it.

With this kind of extreme heat, I find myself spending more time in thinking. If my workouts have to take place on a treadmill, I usually find a deep thought to ponder, or a location to “run” to, or just some way to distract my mind from the monotony of being indoors. As a result of that, today’s thoughts center around meditation.

“The first recipe for happiness is: avoid to lengthy meditation on the past.” ~ Andre Maurois

“Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It’s like the ultimate rest. It’s better than the best sleep you’ve ever had. It’s a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh.” ~ Hugh Jackman

“I said to my soul, be still and wait without hope, for hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love, for love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith, but the faith and the love are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought: So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” ~ T.S. Eliot

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” ~ Thich Nhat Han

Some beautiful thoughts for a beautiful Tuesday. Blessings to you all…