Changing Rain into Rainbows 

When rain falls in your life, the Universe offers opportunities to create rainbows.

BEFORE GOING TO VERMONT THIS SUMMER, I imagined myself bike riding through tree-lined paths nestled in the lush green countryside with the sun glistening on my face. With no cell phones, Internet or TV to disturb the stillness, here was the opportunity to be present in the glorious natural moment. I, however, was not to experience the warm sun on my face or the lush green countryside in the way I had imagined. Instead, on the day set aside for bike riding, the skies opened up in a downpour. I had a choice. I could ride in the rain or forego that picturesque adventure in the woods. Rather than let the rain dampen my joy, I chose to ride 11 miles in the pelting rain. Despite soaked denim shorts plastered to my body and droplets dripping from my eyelashes, I enjoyed the quaint covered bridges, breath-taking scenery and fresh, cleansing scent of the rain coming down. Yes, I was living in the now and savoring every moment. You see, living my joy despite outer conditions is not just something I should do, but something that I practice every chance I get.
 
The key word here is practice. Because when joy seems to evaporate --whether it's from a financial crisis, a relationship ending, a medical diagnosis or loss of a loved one -- that's the time many of us forget our spiritual practice of positive prayer and meditation or become too overwhelmed to do it. When this occurs, and it happens to most of us, remember to be gentle with yourself and with other people.
 
It's hard to be gentle with ourselves when we are moving at breakneck speed, being bombarded with information overload and multi-tasking. Yet, if we can simplify our lives and savor the present moment just the way it is, we naturally cultivate compassion, empathy, light and love.
 
Finding someone else to blame for lack of joy is a facade that relieves us of responsibility for our thoughts, feelings and emotions. However, we are always responsible for what we are thinking, and our thoughts act like a magnet attracting what we focus on. By taking a gentle approach with ourselves and others, even when our thoughts run astray, we simply cannot be angry at our spouse, our boss, our government or the rain. Spiritual living cultivates that gentleness and awakens us to the joy of living. Now, we come to understand that we truly are God in action. As such, we open to our individual joy and something goes into action to transform not only our lives but the world.
 
Rainy Days and Downpours Don't Have to Get You Down