Seeking Summer Synergy

Most of us look forward to the lazy days of summer as a chance to just relax. But you can make good use of the slower pace by taking time to recharge your spirit and refuel your drive. Let these items be your inspiration:

Helping hand
A Hand to Guide Me (Meredith Books; $24.95), by Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, offers poignant stories from celebrities, athletes, and other notables about people who have impacted their lives in immeasurable ways.

The personal tales–including Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison’s account of giving her best effort because of her father’s insistence that she do so–emphasizes the idea that success does not happen alone. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Club of America, an organization Washington believes guided his path.

Calming cup
With attractive names like “Spice of Life” and “Nights Over New Orleans,” Legacy Tea Blends (www.naturalchoicesbotanica.com; $10

to $45) offer more than beverages, but rather moods to savor. Founded as a family owned and operated company in 1992, Natural Choices Botanica of Traditional Healing uses the tea recipes created by the owner’s great-grandmother. Some of the teas include all-natural medicinal ingredients such as psyllium husk, which provides fiber. With more than 20 varieties to choose from, these all-natural teas promise to satisfy the palate as well as the spirit.

Finding focus
Carved from his own journey toward success, author and speaker Tony Magee’s Can’t Shove a Great Life Into a Small Dream (Platinum Star Publishing; $19.95) gives us “12 Life Essentials” to help turn intent into action. Some of the topics include embracing change, being a competent leader, and having financial discipline. Each chapter concludes with questions and activities to reiterate the central idea. Magee writes, “The sole purpose of this book is to inspire you to maximize your human potential and challenge you to live your best life!”

Positive placement
Anyone immersed in a hectic work environment can appreciate this daily reminder that we steer our own destiny. The stainless steel Power of Attitude Pen Holder

(www.suc cessories.com; $19.99) offers this engraved quote: “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes, creating extraordinary results.”