Earlier I did an article where I spoke about 5 things not to look forward to this summer. But despite those mishaps, there is sure to be a lot of great, terrific things to look forward to this summer. You guys are looking forward to topping last year's summer, and I hope you achieve it. But here are 5 things to look forward to.

1. The cookouts/barbecues

The cookouts and barbecues are going to be a sure fire thing...literally. I can smell the food now. The roasted hot dogs, the flame-grilled hamburgers, and the salty potato chips!!!! Oh my!!! And I would also like barbecue chicken to go along with my cookout, and it would be a perfect cookout. But the best cookouts is when they are tons of people, and everyone is chucking it up and having a great time. Those are the memories that will be cherished forever. It will not be the potato salad that was made by a secret recipe that your mom will cherish forever. Or it will not be the endless food that you have to store away, before it gets eaten quickly. But seriously, you all should do this!!!

2. The beaches/oceans/pools

With great food comes water, and water is around us 24/7. Why not indulge in it, by taking a plunge into the water. Besides drinking water, we can enjoy the beaches, the oceans and even the pools. But the pool may be cleaner, at least I hope. You can be one with yourself when you are in the water. The sun and the temperatures are going to be brutal this summer, and it is refreshing to dive in to the water, besides the water in your bathtub. Caution: please be safe at all times when you are going around water. Just because it is refreshing does not mean, it will not kill you. I know you all are going to do somersaults and having contests, of who can hold their breath the longest under water, but be careful. But aside from all that, I LOVE THE WATER!!!!

3. Family time

During the majority of the year, we as individuals are constantly berated with different tasks. Whether it be tasks for our jobs, our spouses, our side businesses or even a friend, we have something that occupies our time, besides our family. When the summer comes, everything tends to simmer down. Business seems to go slower, everyone is not in a rush to get from point A to point B. With that being said, there would be more time for us to spend time with family. We can come visit our parents, our grandparents, and aunts and uncles. We can even have weird conversations with our little cousins, and make them laugh until the sun goes down. These are all impactful, gracious times that you can never get, and are cherished for a lifetime. These are times that we need to share with our family, because we all are not here forever.

4. The environment

Even though it is going to be hot and humid, it still makes a great time to get many things done. The summer nights are going to be longer, the stars are going to shine brighter than ever before, and there is going to be fire brewing wherever you go. You can go camping and makes those s'mores like nobody else can. You can have those long car rides, that only time will tell you where you will end up. You can go kayaking and hiking along the mountains and waterfalls, that nature itself cannot explain, how beautiful this world really is. This world is a great, mystique beauty to see, and the best part is, everyone can experience it.

5. Idle time

I know in my last article I said that, boredom can be a nuisance when the summer comes, just because everything slows down. But this can also work out in your favor. You will not ever be bored, if you use your time wisely. Take your idle time to read that book you been meaning to read, work on your music, if you are me, and do something self-reflection. If there is anything you need to work on yourself, whether it be emotionally, physically, spiritually or morally, then this time would be the perfect time to do it. The things you do in your idle time, will be pivotal in your crunch time.