One thing I know about myself is that I’m much more likely to touch gross stuff if I have gloves on. A thin layer of plastic separating me from something I don’t want to touch is all I need to have the strength to actually deal with it. That’s what serenity does for me—it provides an invisible layer of maturity that protects me from getting caught up in ugly behavior.

Summertime is the perfect opportunity for me to think about that layer and what I can do to make sure it doesn’t disappear. I think I’ve come up with the magic solution:

1. Take care of myself
2. Lower my Expectations
3. Keep my mouth shut

Not always easy, but seems to always be effective.