Summer is the perfect time to put philosophy into practice, especially if you're into the philosophy of doing as little as possible and not giving a fuck. Here are a few ways I'm keeping cool.

1. Keep your job.
The best way to hang onto something is by not being attached to it. Don't care if you keep your job and it will stay nicely attracted to you. Our friend was getting stressed out at work, so she hastily took two days off for an extra long weekend. When she got back, her supervisor offered her a promotion and a raise.

2. Practice taking no action.
Let life bring it to you! For example, say you want a new hat. Instead of going to the store and getting one, see if the universe will bring it to you. Then, if the hat comes and it's not exactly what you wanted, try it anyway. You will probably find the hat is better in ways you couldn't foresee.

3. Stay focused on what you want.
In every moment, you can choose to focus on what you want or what you don't want. If you are crossed with unpleasant circumstances, ask yourself what you would prefer instead. Weird example: I was hanging out with Kelly and some friends in our living room. I looked over and through the window I saw this guy looking in. I mean, he was on the phone and he's a neighbor, but I was creeped out. At the moment I was placing my attention on this dude, my friend says, "You just have to stay focused on what you want." I heard the message from the universe and switched my attention to the thought, "I don't give a fuck about what's going on out there. I'm engaged with and enjoying this conversation." As soon as I forgot about the dude, he left. I looked back towards the window and laughed at how silly life (and I) can be.

4. Refine your message.
I'm not sure how I ended up on Nicola Tweed's email list, but she sent out some great suggestions on focusing your website. Even if you don't have a website, these are great questions to ask about any communication project.

1. What is the one thing you want people to know?
2. What is the one thing you want people to feel?
3. What is the one thing you want people to do?

5. Take heed from the The Tao Of Steve.
Kelly and I have been into Taoism lately, so this movie really resonated in a silly way. The main premise is that if you want to get laid, follow these rules:

1. Eliminate desire.
2. Be excellent in her/his presence.
3. Retreat, because "We pursue that which retreats from us."

6. Be pure awareness.
I made this meditation video that ended up being about addictive thoughts and behaviors. "Becoming pure awareness" is a useful tool I've found for dealing with cravings. When you find yourself wanting something desperately, and in a bad mood because you can't have it, try zooming out and observing yourself. Say in your mind, "Breathe in and be pure awareness. Breathe out and be pure awareness." When you are aware of your thoughts, you are not your thoughts. You can disentangle from obsessive thinking. You can watch your life with amusement like a play. Life gets less scary and more interesting. Under all the layers of personality and preferences and memories, you are pure awareness. You are the universe looking at itself. You are everything, so you lack nothing. You are life itself.