All summer, the sun, the surf, the sand castles, it's finally here.

I hope you are enjoying it.

Do you have your blanket?

Check. Shades, check.

Sunscreen, don't forget the sunscreen.

You cannot forget the sunscreen as As I speak from experience, from yesterday, a day of bliss can turn into a week of burns. Ah. But before running for the waves, take a second to ready yourself, both physically and emotionally. Just as you take the

time to apply the SPF 9 million this summer, remind yourself the importance of what I call

emotional sunscreen. Giving yourself space, some coverage, if you will. Volleyball and bonfires are great,

but so are quiet walks looking at seashells. In today's special summer episode,

summer, shades, and sunscreen, I'd like you to take a moment and center

yourself before being the center of everyone else. Stepping out into the days of summer can be a bit

like going out a little too far in the ocean as the waves and the undercurrents pull you under if you're not

mindful of your footing. You've been there before, marking the days off the work calendar slowly

one day at a time, and then the day is finally here. Beach day. Carrying what feels like a week's worth

of snacks, drinks, and readables, if you're like me, down to the beach for just a few hours,

you quickly notice there are two types of oceans. The one with lots of swimming fish in it, and the other being the sea of people sitting beachside.

No worries, you find an open spot and stake your claim amongst the Sandcastle Kids and the paddleball champions.

Toes in sand, smile on pace. You take in the view as one wave

rolls into another. You could just sit here for hours. Closing your eyes, feeling the breeze,

the waves playing the soundtrack of the moment. You open your eyes to see some friends coming your way.

Not what you would call best friends, but friends nonetheless.

Hey, what a surprise seeing you hear, they say with excitement. Yeah, uh, what a

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