Summer Time in Columbus | Columbus Chamber Connection | July 2024

It is hard to escape the signs of summer all around us. From the early morning metallic sounds of mowers and trimmers to the far-off shouts of children playing tag in their backyards as the sun goes down, we are reminded of the season.

 It is a time of year that challenges us to simultaneously pack as many activities as possible into long days of sunshine; and, to slow down and be present. Enoy a spectacular sunset. Take some time off. Go away for a vacation.

There is a duality of June through August, when the earliest part of the season sounds like lifeguard whistles and motorcycle engines. Everything revving with fun and possibility. “Hurry up!” The noise crescendos with fireworks booming over our heads in July and finally slows to a rallentando of crickets and howling dogs, as August wraps us in a hazy and humid hug. “Slow down. Cool off.”

What can we learn from living in a season that starts with the bang of a starter’s gun and ends with gentle rocking on a porch swing? I’ll share some advice from some of my favorite movie philosophers.:

• “If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” ~ Remy in Ratatouille:   Now is the perfect time to visit a farmer’s market for locally grown vegetables and fresh meats and cheeses. Celebrate the fact that Ohio is a top producer of corn, soybeans, pumpkins and cheese! Create a meal plan that incorporates fresh and healthy food choices.
• “Your future is whatever you make it. So, make it a good one.” ~ Doc in “Back to the Future III: Use this season to reflect on your goals and plans. How are you positioned to achieve those? Do you need assistance or is recalibration necessary? Visit your local library for inspiration and encouraging words from authors who have experience to share!
• “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ~ Ferris Bueller: As we hastily move between our work and other obligations, are we taking a moment to appreciate the joy and excitement that comes from a picnic or an evening of star gazing? Would a walk through the garden or a day on the water energize and restore us?

Kelly Fuller 
Senior Vice President of Columbus Chamber Foundation
KellyFuller@columbus.org