Dancing In The Rain

I have a plaque on my desk that reads, LIFE is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.  I was drawn to it a few years ago when I first saw it in a store.  Its message seemed nice and certainly positive.  It pulled me in and I bought it.  I came home and placed it on my desk where I see it every day.  There was something quite ironic about it though.  Something that didn't really apply to me, but I still liked it.  It didn't apply to me because I really didn't want to dance in the rain.  I didn't even know how to dance in the rain.  I just wanted to get out of the rain.  I didn't like the rain.  Didn't like the way it made me feel.  So I would stay inside where I could stay dry and warm.  Inside wasn't really a bad place to be.  It was safe.  I didn't really need to experience the outside when I could imagine and make up my own world while inside and safe.  When it would stop raining, I would venture out a little bit, only to find myself cautiously waiting and watching for the next storm to hit.  After all, I didn't want to be vulnerable to the effects of that next storm.  I didn't want to get wet and cold and miserable.  I knew it was out there and going to hit at any time.  I actually got very good at predicting when the next storm would come.  I could see the signs.  Sometimes my own actions would keep it at bay, at least for a little while.  Sometimes my own actions would bring it on even sooner, at least that's what I thought.  I later learned that the storm, at least my storm, had a mind of its own.  It only seemed like I could control it.  The more and more I stayed inside, afraid of the storm, the less and less I wanted to go outside.  I was beginning to feel trapped, very trapped within the very same "inside" that I created for myself.  Inside was really a very lonely place, safe but lonely.  My storms were keeping me from enjoying those people and the good experiences outside.  Maybe it wasn't really my storms causing this, but rather my reaction to the storms.  What if I could learn to not be afraid of getting wet, or cold, or miserable.  What if my fear was keeping me from enjoying the sunshine and all the people out there in the sunshine.  I began to wonder if the people outside knew who I was.  I don't think so.  My own doing though, because I didn't let them inside, and when outside, I was too busy watching and waiting for the next storm to even interact with the people out there.  What if my own family didn't even really know me?  What if I lived my whole life afraid of the storm, hiding in what I thought was a safe place, only to leave this life unknown to anyone.  How sad would that be!  I had to do something, but didn't know quite what that might be.  Over time and through some pretty intense soul searching, I have learned that I don't need to be afraid of the storms of life.  I have to say there has been much divine intervention in this soul searching.  I've not been alone and will not be alone.  I have learned that I am strong and can weather the storm.  I have learned that I do have something to offer and contribute to the outside world.  I can be outside with others, getting to know them.  I have learned that there are many others experiencing their own storms, who need my friendship.  I can allow them to get to know me.  I am learning that I don't have to be afraid.  When these storms end, and I move into the next phase of my life, I will be better for having experienced them.  I will not move on as someone beaten and battered by the storm.  I will be ready to experience whatever that next phase is.

I still look up and see my plaque daily.  LIFE  Is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.  I just read and smile.