The BCP Summer of Growth. Week One: Rest and Reset

Do you use summer to recharge your batteries for the year ahead? Or do you run into the new year just as breathless as when you finished it?

It’s overwhelming to commit to something lasting. The Summer of Growth Challenge is a 5 week challenge, the “rest and reset” theme is for this week only–but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

Week One: Rest and Reset

• Change up your routine. You might just love waking up earlier & enjoying that cold brew coffee and/or davening time on the back porch before the kids wake up. Give yourself an incentive to get to sleep earlier. 
• Resolve to drink x ounces of water. Actually do it! Set yourself up so that it’s an attainable goal. 

• Make yourself a nutritious lunch (how often is up to you!)
• Or, challenge yourself to start a different good habit / stop a negative habit, 
• Buy yourself flowers or a plant (and water it!). Put it in a spot that makes you happy when you walk into your home. 

• Carve out a specific time to sit and read a book. It doesn’t have to only be when you’re falling asleep. You don’t have to always be “doing.” Bonus if it’s at a time that’s usually hectic. Reading is a very valid activity! 
• Pull out your old albums and reminisce.
• Don’t be so busy. Is there something you can let go of, just for now, so that you can make time for something you’ll enjoy?
• Get a manicure or pedicure.
• Buy a self-help/self-improvement book and read it. Choose one lesson that you’ll take with you. 
• Take a digital detox. Plan something enjoyable that you’ll do in that time instead (it could be one of the above).
• Use new and special shampoo/body wash/beauty products so that your shower feels like a trip to the spa–just for this season!
• Write a journal.
• Try a creative outlet/hobby that you always wanted to try but never did. 

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Please share additional ideas of what you would love to do to “Rest and Reset!”

The BCP Summer of Growth. Week Two: Embrace the Season

Has summer so far been just the same ol’? Even if we don’t change our location, there’s things we can do to feel and appreciate the change of season. 

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make us feel a change or that we’ve had a bit of a break. But if we do nothing and just keep running while it seems like everyone else is enjoying–a little bit of resentment can build. Feeling like you had a summer doesn’t have to be so time-consuming or mean a massive change. It can be a little treat daily or a one time excursion that can make a big difference!

The “Embrace the Season” theme is for this week only – but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

You can view week one and more about the Summer of Growth Challenge here.

• Eat an ice cream cone, preferably outdoors.
• Pack sandwiches and go for a picnic instead of having dinner at home.
• Find out if there is a farm or orchard near you and go fruit/vegetable picking. 
• Spend a day off (or more) at the beach/pool. If you can’t find a friend to go with, go alone…just go (with a book or magazine)! It doesn’t need to be a whole day. If you can’t take off a day, try an evening or carve out an hour or two somehow (how long can we sit for anyway?).
• Plan a coffee or lunch (or above pool/beach day) with a friend who isn’t usually in the same town as you during the year.
• Enjoy seasonal produce. Plan a meal by stopping first at the produce or farmer’s market and choosing the fruits and vegetables that look fresh and vibrant. 
• Wind down, get into pjs at 8 p.m., and read a novel.
• Stay out until late and look at the stars–if you can’t get to the boardwalk during the day, why not the night (as long as it’s safe and you’re not alone)?

• Enjoy your geography–find a beautiful place near you to walk, hike, or bike. 
• Plan a little trip (even if it’s just overnight) or staycation/day trip. There’s so many more possibilities during the summer season!
• Get a cozy chair for your back deck/porch/patio. If you don’t yet have an outdoor spot where you love to spend time in your backyard space, you’ll be surprised at how this can totally change your summer. 
• Plan a minimal kitchen week. If it’s available, take advantage of pre-chopped produce. Spend that time outdoors instead. Your family won’t mind the simpler food, they’ll be happy to spend time with you instead. 

• Enjoy a Passionfruit Lemonade over ice. It feels good to hold and enjoy a pretty drink! We’ve also found it’s great with just some fresh lemon and sweetener – no Crystal Light needed. Or, just add fresh lemon slices to regular lemonade as shown here. Find Passionfruit tea bags here.

• Protect your personal time. Whatever you do decide to do “feel summer,” block off the time (as if it’s a dentist appointment!). Whether it’s time with your kids or time spent alone, if you prioritize it, it will happen!

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Please share additional ideas of what you would love to do to “Embrace the Season!”

The BCP Summer of Growth. Week Three: Relationships and You

Can we grow by improving how we relate with those around us?

Once we’ve taken care of ourselves and created a little room to breathe, we can begin the real growth and take small steps to relate to everyone around us in a positive, feel-good way. It’s not always easy! 

We understand it’s overwhelming to commit to something lasting. The “Relationships and You” theme is meant for this week only–but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

You can view week one, week two and more about the Summer of Growth Challenge here.

• Call a relative/friend whom you haven’t connected with in a while.
• Plan a dinner date with your husband. Or, plan something fun to do together.
• Play a board game with your teenager. 
• Give a compliment to your neighbor (look for the opportunities!). Or a stranger. Or your spouse. 
• If you are lucky to have parents, call them more often.

• Call a grandmother/aunt.
• Text your husband to thank him for something. 
• Tell every child individually at random time during the week  an honest and real thing you admire about them. 
• Think about something positive about each of the people around you. 
• Listen to someone speak and don’t interrupt, one up, or try to get a word in edgewise. Just let them have your listening ear. 
• Is there anyone with whom you have a little tension or conflict? Do something to clear it up and create positive feelings. 
• Express your gratitude or appreciation of another family member or friend. 
• Make a conscious effort to avoid your phone when in the presence of another person. Engage with those around you instead. 
• Write down three things you appreciate about your spouse.
• Don’t respond if someone acts argumentative–or be silent if someone contends that they’re right when you think otherwise.

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Please share additional ideas of what you would love to do to “Relationships and You!”

The BCP Summer of Growth. Week Four: Get Moving, Stay Healthy

Can we make it a goal to come out of summer as a healthier version of ourselves?

Whether it’s more movement or healthier food, the summer is the perfect time to enjoy new healthy habits. 

It’s overwhelming to commit to something lasting. The Summer of Growth Challenge is for this week only–but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

• If you didn’t in week one, try again to get that “drink more water” habit down now! 
• Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Give it a try! A fitness tracker will help you achieve this (it’s fun to try to meet your goal. If there’s another number that’s a more practical goal, go for it.)
• Or, simply incorporate a daily walk into your schedule (whether it’s just 10 minutes or an hour!). Or, make it more exciting and go for a hike!
• Schedule a pap or mammogram. Or both.
• Get a full panel blood work done. Find out if you have any vitamin deficiencies.  
• Start using a water pik. 

• Eat a colorful salad (the more colors, the more nutrients, right?) 
• Avoid sugar/snacks for a day (or two….). 
• Try a new exercise class or routine. 
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator. 
• Wear sunscreen. (A good quality tinted sunscreen can help make this habit more automatic.)

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Please share additional suggestions on how you would “Get Moving, Get Outside, Stay Healthy!”

The BCP Summer of Growth. Week Five: Spiritual Boost

And finally, and most importantly–we want to use summer to grow spiritually. 

There’s lots of time to reflect, learn, and think about our ruchnius goals. This will also make us feel recharged and good about the time we spend over the summer. We don’t need to wait for Elul! 

It’s overwhelming to commit to something lasting. The Summer of Growth Challenge is for this week only–but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

• Read a Gadol biography. (This is a general link to Artscroll biographies for some ideas to get started. We hope to share a more comprehensive list of our favorites in another post.)

• Listen to a shiur in the car or while cooking, or, attend one in person, even if you don’t usually. If there’s one you always wanted to try, now is perfect.
• Start a gratitude or “Thank You Hashem” journal. Even if just for this week. We automatically recognize more good things in our lives when we start with expressing gratitude for what we already have. 
• Take upon yourself an hour a day of Machsom Lefi, to not to speak Lashon Harah.
• Focus on one part of davening that you struggle with. Learn the meaning behind it. Try to have kavanah specifically at that time. 
• Learn a mussar sefer–just a few pages a day! Take it slow so you can internalize them. Some great options include Sefer Chafetz Chaim, Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s Orchos Yosher, and Shaar HaBitachon with Commentary. Iggeres HaRamban (pocket sized version is here) and Iggeres HaGra (pocket sized is here) are short works with everlasting lessons. 
• Go to the Judaica Store and look for a pocket-sized book on any topic that inspires you. Read it while you’re filling your tank up with gas instead of scrolling on your phone. 

• Choose an area to brush up on halachos, such as Shabbos, Brachos, Kashrus, or Tefillah. Rigshei Lev link
• Write a Cheshbon Hanefesh, a journal noting what you did right or wrong today, where you hope you can be better. Even if just for this week. 
• Take a kabbalah in tznius. Even if just for this week. 
• Read a self-improvement book on parenting, marriage, or any general life fulfillment.
• Work on Emunah and Bitachon. Emunah with TEA has compiled an amazing list of emunah related resources. You can download the PDF here.

• Make time for one extra tefillah to daven that you don’t usually.
• Think about Olam Haba and your ruchnius life goals. Think about the kind of person you’d like to be. Take one small step in that direction. 

• And finally, learn to yearn for Mashiach and the Bais Hamikdash. Find a way to really internalize that desire. You can start by reading this post on 21 Reasons Why We Need Mashiach.

Sign up below to Download this calendar so you can fill in the days of the challenge with us and get reminders and ideas along the way!

Please share additional suggestions on how you will get your “Spiritual Boost” this summer!