"...create delightful memories during this season of light and movement."

It was difficult deciding which author to feature in this summer issue since I had received several wonderful submissions.  In keeping with a summer solstice theme I chose Michael Gurian's The Soul of the Child - Nurturing the Divine Identity of Our Children because I was intrigued by his body/soul argument and I believed his message is a good one to take to heart now, while children are home for summer vacation.  Initially, I hesitated including his book because we tend to avoid publishing books which promote specific religions but, as I read on I appreciated that he supported his philosophy by drawing on science and wisdom from world religions.  The urge to nurture the soul of our children, or to see their "light" seems like old news, but Gurian presents his argument with a different twist and I believe readers will glean valuable anecdotes to apply in their daily lives.  Besides, it never hurts to hear a good and valuable message over and over, especially when it comes to nurturing our children.

I'm excited about the different articles in this issue from the excerpts from Iris Krasnow and Martin L. Rossman, M.D. to Kaarina Merikaarto's surfing story.  I was even inspired to include my own account about trekking the Inca Trail during our summer solstice last year.  As a child, and still now, summer means long days, camping trips, staying up really late to watch shooting stars while lying on my back from the hood of our old Fairlane 500, and eating lots of sweet corn, cherries, blackberries and tomatoes from our garden.  This year, instead of watching the night sky, solstice eve meant celebrating the 5th Harry Potter book, The Order of the Phoenix, at our downtown bookstores.  However you choose to be bring in summer, I hope we all can remember to take time away from our busy lives to create delightful memories during this season of light and movement.    

This summer issue is only the second issue of this year since I had previously made a commitment to dedicate this webzine to peace poetry and tributes until our troops came home.  Although I don't agree with the pronouncements that the war is over, I decided it was time to move on and accept that it may be a very long time before the war will ever truly end.  The publication of this summer issue does not represent the end of my personal peace vigil, but it does symbolize my acceptance that life, as it is today, must be lived to its fullest, despite the existence of a  nonsensical, ineffective war which, to me, started without good reason.  We are called to keep striving for peace, valuing the simple pleasures of life we have now, and appreciating our loved ones.  I invite you to continue praying for peace in our world and for the wisdom of our nation's and world's leaders. Please pray for the safety of our troops while they fight for our country.  But, mostly, please pray to bring our troops home to their loved ones, where they can be best supported and nurtured by all of us near and far.  

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Thank you for visiting our webzine. I invite you to enjoy these stories and the people who were courageous enough to share them with us.  My wish is that these stories will inspire and speak to your soul and that you find inspiration in the everyday miracles of your lives.

Namaste. 

Enjoy Your Summer, 
Amelia Andaleon
Chief Editor, SpirituallyFit.com

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We enjoy hearing from you and reading your stories. If you have submitted your stories, we will notify you if your story has been selected. We have received stories which will be used in future issues, so don't lose heart if yours has not yet been published. Use our submission form and keep us all inspired by your stories! Email us with your comments or send us suggestions.  

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