Rain.
It's raining right now. I have my window open, and I’m just sitting here listening to it fall. The sound it makes as it lands on the many outdoor surfaces, but in the stillness of no wind.
For many, rain is a nuisance. It's wet, it's gloomy and it gets in everything! We have simply gotten used to it. As for me, though, I often find the rain peaceful.
Rain for humans is like a coin. On one side, it brings life, rebirth and much-needed energy. On the other side, it causes accidents, floods and takes away the energy of those unable to embrace it. How the coin lands often depends on perspective.
Sure, it's probably a universal truth that floods suck, but remember context is key here. Rain, like everything in life, has a story to tell.
The thing we humans probably dislike about rain the most is its constant reminder that we are not in control. It never rains when we want it to, and it always does when we want it least. Basically every time I try to go swimming.
Rain pays no difference to anyone. It does not matter your skin color, your nation of origin, your class or even the words you have said during your eighth-grade speech, which still haunt you to this day.
Oh, just me then? Well, never mind that.
When we get into the rain, we all get wet. No one is better than another when you’re soaking wet and in desperate need of a Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, the nectar of the gods.
Rain is the universal voice of humility. No matter what devices man has created to avoid the rain, it still comes. It still whittles away at our concrete jungle, and our contrite hearts.
Rain is the voice of those who work in the background. No tropical paradise, no farmers market, no urban center could exist without rain. It works tirelessly to provide for all living things and asks for nothing in return.
Plus you can’t appreciate a sunny day at the beach without experiencing a torrential downpour as you map out your plan to reach the car with the least amount of person-to-rain contact.
Perhaps instead of complaining about ruined plans, we take a moment to think about what is happening. What does the rain mean to you? What is your take of all this?
Forgive me. Rainy days make me introspective. I’m no more an expert on pulling out existentialism from basic weather patterns than the next guy, but I think it's healthy to take a moment and sit and stare and experience what is going on around us.
If we never look, is anything really there?
“The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
