What?! It was the last weekend of summer?! I can’t believe it. In fact, I refuse to believe it. I am going to squeeze every single marvelous moment out of it! This is what I did just the other day.

Sigh…My daughter and I floating in our neighbor’s spring fed pond…just chatting away…about stuff you don’t talk about when the TV is on…..or when cell phones are close by…

Making memories.

And soooo relaxing.

In fact, just looking at this photo makes my shoulders release – and I didn’t even realize that they were tense!

Remembering how I felt in that water makes my jaw relax and I didn’t know I had it clenched!

Be sure to take time for yourself. Make it a priority.

I know. I know. You have heard this before. But this time stop and do it.

Society would tell you to push just a little bit harder – and that in that little extra effort lays the greatest success. Deep down, those of us who have started our own businesses believe that is true. It isn’t really important to stop – if I do, my competition will pass me by.

I am here to tell you that you can’t run a store successfully if you are run down.

I love what the late great Stephen Covey said about this: You have to stop to sharpen your saw….or you will work way too hard to cut that tree down. OK, I did para-phrase that – but only to emphasize the point.

Hasn’t it happened to you?

“I’ll just finish this one last order.”

“Just 2 more boxes to process and receive before I go home.”

Today, I give you permission to leave early.

That order and those boxes can wait until tomorrow. Squeeze that last bit of sunshine and relaxation out of today.

Enjoy the time.

Enjoy your loved ones.

It is the reason you went into business for yourself. Isn’t it?!

Carpe Diem.

That is what Happy Retailing is all about, my dear friend.