Pretty good news, mostly. Persevere unsullied by what you’d rather not know while we read the headlines and sort out the good stuff for you.

Summering.

It perked up around Memorial Day and barreled through the Fourth of July and now summer’s about cooked: nuttin’ to do but wait for autumn days of pumpkin spice. In these news stories, however, there’s inspiration and hope for right now. Follow along for ideas on rallying more summer-iciousness out of your July and August.

Boredom and smartphones.

Ongoing research reveals that boredom’s increased with the rise of social media and smartphones. Checking messages and media on our phones delivers a quick dose of distraction, which can break up solitude, silence and unhealthy rumination. But it short-circuits deeper thinking and meaningful engagement, which makes for more boredom.

There’s a message in boredom. To find it, drop the phone:

When boredom strikes, we should resist the urge to assuage it instantly and ask ourselves: are we in search of pure entertainment or something more purposeful, an opportunity to connect with friends or our community or something different, something new? The people who choose to embrace boredom, at least for a while, may paradoxically experience less of it. It could even be the first step towards a life that feels more stimulating overall: meaningful, creative and free.

So, occasionally this summer, put your phone down and peer into the sighs. It’s for your own good. Full Story >>

Cold, summer beverages.

Jason Hackett — aka, “Prime Mutton” — has a thriving batch of enthused Instagram followers tracking his passion for pints.  “He's a 55-year-old professional bridge player from Manchester, [England], with a moustache, a leather pork pie hat, and a body that, he readily admits, reflects his enthusiasm for ale.” He shoots unpolished videos of himself downing beers in pubs, invariably concluding with a rating of what he’s just sipped/guzzled — often, an “absolute creamer.” He’s currently — as of the second week in July — touring the US.

If you must drink this summer, drink responsibly. Full Story >>

Passed times.

 Why shouldn’t your summer fun include visiting cemeteries to collect grave data? Find a Grave is an online archive of gravesites — and an invaluable resource for genealogists. It’s fed by a fleet of volunteers, who visit cemeteries to gather the deceased’s names and birth-death details. What say we all hop to it and join in on the cemetery adventures. We can get outdoors meaningfully, walk around and be healthy, and contribute to historical records, too. Full Story >>

Virture development.

2,000 years ago, Stoic philosophers suggested leading a good life means becoming virtuous. “By developing virtues, we can not only align ourselves with what’s best in us but also live in agreement with nature.” These teachings can get you started:

1. Get to know yourself.
2. Minimize anger and fear.
3. Become a collector of virtues.
4. Have compassion for others.
5. Recognize that you are not alone.
6. Don’t fear death.
7. Self-improvement requires wisdom.
8. Real happiness cannot be lost.
9. Don’t be mean.
10. Be a good student.
11. Take care of yourself.

Make this a virtue-packed, self-improvement summer. Details on the how-to in the “Psychology Today” article. Full Story >>

A getaway.

Late in May, Ed, the zebra, escaped his Tennessee pasture and enjoyed a vacation that included a trot down the interstate, a peaceful sojourn in the woods, and friendly strolls through suburban neighborhoods. Coordinated assistance eventually returned him home, and he now serves as a lesson: When your leads and conversions escape you, you can rely on Rally to help you round them up and bring em home. Full Story >>