The first official day of summer is not until June 20, but with Memorial Day behind us, school out, and the first day of June arriving today, we can all agree that spring has passed.

Thus, the changing of the seasons means that it is also time to start a new habit, preferably one that makes our lives, and the lives of those around us, better.

That could mean starting that new hobby we have been putting on hold, like reading one valuable book a week, or taking up sewing or smocking. Or it could mean beginning a new exercise or daily activity routine.

In Oxford, we have many excuses in the fall and spring for putting off what we would like to begin. Friends come to visit for a football game so we skip a long weekend walk. Children have school events so we can’t find time to read a book.

But while our city bustles for nine months of the year it comes to a wonderful, sleepy crawl in the hottest months. In Oxford, June, July and August are made for getting ourselves on track to be our best.

Sharpen our minds. Tune our bodies. Connect with our friends. Put one foot in front of the other. Turn the page.

Summer, after all, is our best season to look after ourselves, and one another.

So let’s make the most of it.