Finding Joy in The Rain
"Joy is never tomorrow; it is always now" - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Life can be full of routine and labeled as mundane. We wake up, take the kids to school, commute, work, pick kids back up, cook dinner, go to sleep, then wake up and do it all over again. How boring! Our ordinary daily lives can feel heavy or even sometimes like a burden. I get it - it’s easy to celebrate the wins and the ups can overshadow the now. We look forward to vacations or promotions to escape the regular, but by doing so we overlook the joy and growth in the present. Our mental health will mimic our joy and if we measure our lives based on the extraordinary, joy will feel few and far between. A great exercise to practice in everyday life to reflect on your reaction towards rain (that’s right - water falling from the sky).
Rain is a communality between us all and honestly often brushed off. It’s a core weather pattern - something that happens often, but somehow has a way of catching us off guard sometimes. It can interrupt our plans, slow our pace, and force us to notice what’s right in front of us. Much like rain, everyday events in our lives can feel like a rainstorm - intense and honestly inconvenient. It can feel overwhelming because we often know it’s coming, but essentially uncontrollable (much like most of our daily routines). However, it’s exactly what’s needed at the moment.. This year’s Care4U2 theme, Reclaiming Joy: Purpose, Presence, Renewal, reminds me of the practicality of rain.
Purpose is to recognize the positive impact rain cultivates. It hydrates roots we’ve planted, replenishes what’s needed, and promotes new growth.
Presence is standing in the rain instead of running for cover. It’s the choice to notice the smell, to hear the rain fall, to feel the cold drops on your skin.
Renewal is what follows. The world looks different - brighter, fresher, lively. It’s releasing what no longer serves us, much like rain cleans and washes away what’s not rooted down.
We must find purpose, be present, and acknowledge renewal in the ordinary to reclaim joy back into our lives. If you can shift your perspective on rain, from an inconvenient, predictable weather pattern to recognizing the joy that comes along with rain – it can be transformative. Rain is refreshing, cleansing, and brings change. It’s a reminder that even storms replenish life. It doesn’t deny the rain is still falling or the damage it can do, but heightens the awareness that even when there’s an expected (or unexpected) downpour, the beauty is happening right now. It is simply out of our control. There are several ways this may show up for you:
You might notice purpose in the required weekly reports you send to your supervisor.
You could recognize the power of presence you provide when you have “back to back” meetings.
You can identify renewal when laundry is piling up.
Discontent doesn’t have to be the status quo, in fact, we are in control of our responses to the ordinary. We must challenge negative thoughts and replace them with mindfulness, affirmations, and grace to equip ourselves with the ability to see joy. So next time it rains - stick your hand out the window, forget the umbrella, notice the sky and reclaim the idea of rain. Live in the now and even the “rainy days” can bring joy.