One of my meetings today I had to walk to as there is no parking where I was going. The chill of winter is still with us and rather than rain, it was lightly sleeting when I set out. The sleet soon turned to rain. I was in good spirits and a little rain never causes much of a problem provided one is suitably wrapped up. As I walked along it was interesting looking at other people in the same circumstance. Some were appropriately dressed for this wet weather. Some were not. One thing that did strike me was the grim look on so many faces. Clearly the mood of their day was being influenced by the weather.
This got me thinking back to a time when I was on vacation, probably about 10 years ago. I had decided to have a major treat and go to Bermuda for a break. I had expected the weather to be wonderful, and it was for most of the time. My intention had been to do some diving but the sea had been churned up in a light storm the day before I landed so it certainly was not ideal conditions to see much underwater so I decided to give that venture a miss.
I do love walking and much to my surprise there was a lovely route from one end of the island to the other along the track of a disused railway. I set off in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, only carrying my wallet and a small camera. Part way along my route it started to rain, which soon became a very heavy downpour and looked to be set in for quite some time. I was aware that my wallet and camera could easily become soaked with the rain so popped into a nearby shop and asked if they could let me have a plastic bag – I thought it was clear from my sodden look that it was well and truly raining outside. The gentleman behind the counter asked “what is the matter?” I replied that it was raining heavily outside and didn’t want to get my wallet and camera wet. At this point he went over to the window and looked out, and turning to me he said something that I shall never forget “Man, that’s not rain, that’s liquid sunshine!”
WOW what optimism and I must say since that day I have never viewed rain in the say way. It has been a wonderful lesson that has carried me through many trying events and one I do reflect on and ask myself how I could view the positive when so many could view the negative. So my question to you: ‘What are you screwing your face against when with a little optimistic thinking you could create a fantastic new perspective?’
Oh, and buy the way I did get my plastic bag after a brilliant conversation.
My good wishes,
Peter
