The Dog Days

We’re officially in the dog days of summer now — that stretch from about now through late August when the heat sits heavy and the pace of everything slows to a crawl. The phrase comes from the ancient Romans, who linked this sweltering window to Sirius, the Dog Star, rising with the sun.

Maple, my actual dog, takes the dog days as personal vindication. Slow is the correct speed, she has always maintained. Naps are productive. The shade is the best room in the house. She has been right all along, and now the calendar agrees with her.

Here’s the Wednesday wisdom in it: the dog days give you permission to downshift. Not everything needs to be done at full speed all year. There are seasons for pushing and seasons for coasting, and this is a coasting one. Lower the bar a little. Move slower. Let the heat make the decision for you.

There are seasons for pushing and seasons for coasting. The dog days are for coasting.

Where in your life could you give yourself permission to downshift this week?