Sideways rain coming down hard against the window panes… 7 am. Wind howling. Dark skies. The wood stove has gone cold... brrrrrr… 11 am. Out to the shed for an armful of split fir. Dang, now I am soaking wet! Crouched low by the flicker of orange flames, stealing the first wave of heat, I pull my hoodie up over my damp head... noon. It’s still dark. Where is the light? Looks like another one of 'those' Fall days. (Little did I know, but this dreary morning would teach me something about resilience).
Three days later, the sun came out. The contrast was palpable. As the fading dark grey horizon was contrasted by the pale blue sky from the early morning sun rising, I felt full of light and possibility. "I can do anything I put my mind to", I thought. Later, as I turned inward during my meditation practice, I was moved by the extra sense of will and fortitude it seemed that one so often requires to face stormy days head on. A memory came to my mind of when I had popped into a clothing shop on one of those dark days, surprising the merchant. They had not been expecting anyone to venture forth on that day. Only then did I notice how quiet the streets were. It seemed that most people were hunkered down inside, waiting out the downpour.
As I had looked out at the empty streets that day, my mind had wandered to the many great storms that had been surging across the globe: forest fires had been engulfing towns, cities, wilderness and countrysides. Flash floods had been destroying infrastructure and communities; taking the lives of people and animals. Tornadoes had been ripping apart sports stadiums that were meant to be places of refuge. "The panic and fear that must overtake the minds of those stuck in the middle of such devastation", I had thought … "I can’t imagine it!" I realized then that I only truly knew my own small experience from one day to the next, where nothing tragic was happening. I marvel when witnessing courage and determination rise to the surface as people in crisis find their way together, however messy, unpredictable or complicated that process may be.
We all have storms we weather, be it personal life struggles such as a turn in wellbeing, a loss or a heartache of any kind. Not to mention the external storms brought on by the environment, politics, conflicting values, or economic uncertainty. So, what can we do?
I remember times when I have wanted to ride my bike to work instead of driving. That seems like such an easy proposition on a sunny day. Yet, for those of us living on the west coast of Canada there are, so often, the rains to contend with. In my determination, I lean into the preparation process: bike lights, fenders, gloves, hat and 'skookum' rain gear. I have to say, with the right planning, I have achieved my goal most days.
How can we all prepare for Life's 'weather' challenges that may come our way? What is the 'gear' we can gather together that will help to make the going a little easier?
Back in my early 30s, when I was a mother of 3, I had no map to follow on the journey of 'adulting'. Each day I felt like I was like navigating through fog without a compass. I was lost and suffering, with inner pain so great that I wanted to scratch my face in hopes of finding some relief, or at least something else to focus on. I know, that didn’t make much sense - but nothing was making sense to me at that time. I felt like I was going mad. Through all of my searching I still felt lost. Until …
One day, I happened upon a support group of sorts that led me to lessons in spiritual philosophy. I began to grow a faith that worked for me. I found a belief in something greater - an 'Infinite Reality' that connected … everything. I learned that if there is just one Infinite Expression of Life, there can’t be anything outside of It, so I, too, must be part of this Life. I am part of the connective web that holds everything together! I have purpose in just being me, exactly the way I am! WOW!
This wasn’t just an abstract philosophy for me. It manifested in practical ways. When my children struggled, I found a patience I didn’t know I had access to. When we were financially squeezed, I learned to trust the Flow of Life and my inner resources. With challenging relationships, I began to see them as mirrors reflecting lessons back to me that revealed what I needed to learn. My former desperation turned into a deep understanding that 'Life is FOR me'... even during the rough times.
Now, when a storm hits, I have a strong foundation upon which I stand. I have a faith. Each downpour and moment of darkness has given me the opportunity to deepen in trust. The storms come and go, but my ability to weather them (together with others), with preparation, faith and grace – remains constant. I have been witness to the affirmative results of my faith practices over, and over, and over. I am a believer in a bigger idea of expanding Goodness. Sure, life and death happen. That is a given. How we dance the in-between days is totally up to each one of us.